The management of electronic information resources in tertiary institutions libraries in Kano metropolis

The study investigated the management of electronic information resources (EIRs) in tertiary institutions’ libraries in the Kano metropolis. The objectives of the study were to determine the types of electronic information resources available in tertiary institution libraries in the Kano metropolis and to identify the management strategies of EIRs in the libraries in terms of selection, acquisition, organization, preservation/storage and dissemination. Also, to identify the challenges associated with the management of electronic information resources in the libraries. To achieve such objectives, qualitative research methodology using a narrative-based research design was adopted for the study; while a semi-structured interview was used to collect data from the participants. Eight (8) e-resource managers were purposively selected to serve as participants in the study from eight tertiary institutions in Kano Metropolis. Thematic data analysis was used to analyze the data collected which mainly focuses on assigning themes and codes to the participants within the data. The findings from the study revealed that various types of EIRs were available in the tertiary institutions' libraries in the Kano metropolis that include among others; e-books, e-journals, Wireless Internet, e-newspapers, e-dictionaries/encyclopedias etc. The findings also revealed that management strategies such as selection, acquisition, organization and dissemination were applied in the tertiary institutions' libraries studied with the view to enhance the management of their EIRs, It was also found that there were many challenges affecting the management of EIRs in the tertiary institutions' libraries as revealed by the participants that include among others; inadequate funding, lack of professional staff, network problems etc. The study recommends that there is a need for the provision of additional EIR preservation facilities for effective storage and maintenance of the resources. Also, necessary training should be given to the library staff that will enable them to properly handle the resources.