This chapter discusses academic libraries and how they've been funded. It shows that funding has been a major problem facing the development of academic libraries in Africa. However, the study found that inadequately skilled librarians, poor image of librarians, and inadequate infrastructure are some of the challenges facing the financing of academic libraries. Since the government is the major source of funding for academic libraries, and its funding is inadequate for the smooth operation of libraries, the need to source alternative sources of financing cannot be over-emphasized. Alternative sources of funding like funding raising through social media, provision of consultancy services, and endowment funds, among others were found to be important in ensuring proper financing of academic libraries in Africa. This study recommends that appointment to the Headship of the library should be based on how the librarian can provide a clear, detailed, and achievable blueprint on how to generate funds for the library.
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Academic Libraries have been instrumental in developing and advancing teaching, community services, and research within the community it represents. Recently, these libraries have been witnessing inadequate funding, highlighting the need for alternative sources of funding, this chapter defines academic libraries (AL) and the roles AL play in societies, explores the sources of financing, challenges to the funding of AL, and concludes with a review of the sustainable source of funding that will enhance improved service delivery in AL in this period of the critical global economic downturn.
Definition of Academic Libraries
Academic Libraries are defined as libraries found in tertiary institutions of learning (university, polytechnic, colleges of education) among others. These libraries are the backbone of the institutions they are attached to since there tend to serve the research, teaching, and community service of the communities it represents. Isah, Ango, and Abu (2016) defined AL as libraries that provide information services to clients in tertiary institutions of learning by aiding their research activities. These could be done through the provision of reference services, Selective Dissemination of Information, supporting information literacy programs, and recently with the advent of web 2.0 social media services have also been incorporated. According to UNESCO, the information resources found in AL are used to meet the cultural as well as recreational needs of clients. Furthermore, all the information sources are arranged in systematic order to enhance retrieval. Though Atkinson (2020) defined AL as supporting its institution's goal and objectives and has changed its functions from being a store house to a service-based entity focusing on digital literacy, open access publishing, research data management, and virtual reference services. Eze and Uzoigwe (2013) defined AL as the library that provides relevant and current information services to its user to meet their information needs.
In Africa, AL is the most organized library and consists of three major categories of staff nonprofessional, paraprofessional, and professionals. These staffs are well trained to meet the needs of its users and provide innovative services in the changing world of Information and Communications Technology. Furthermore, this staff is responsible for providing excellent services to students and faculty members to achieve the relevant objectives of their research and learning experiences. To improve on service delivery in the 21st-century libraries of which Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has greatly impacted, librarians have to continue to upskill and reskill to meet the information, changing needs and formats of information resources.
Challenges Of Financing Academic Libraries
Funding plays a critical role in the development and management of any organization to meet its established objectives. Funding is essential to provide the necessary resources to meet the goals of the library. Being able to see a beautiful library building equipped with modern ICT infrastructure and well-trained staff can only be appreciated if marvellous services are rendered to patrons. These services can only be provided with adequate financing. Ekoja (1996) stated that libraries need money and the more it has, the more it impacts the quality of services. Academic libraries require a lot of money to get optimal performance, personnel, and information resources. To acquire all the important things that a library needs, requires adequate financing.