NIGERIAN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES PATRONS’ INFORMATION NEEDS IN A RECESSED ECONOMY: ELECTRONIC RESOURCES TO THE RESCUE

Abstract

Over the past years, academic library collection development specialists have been coping with the dramatic changes brought about by low budgetary allocations and decreasing purchasing power. As a result, it seems that the needs of the patrons are not being met. This study examines how academic libraries in Nigeria are trying to cope with the information needs of their patrons within the context of economic recession. The study is a qualitative research based on survey of existing literatures on academic library patrons information needs, collection development and resources in academic libraries.The study reveals that many academic libraries do not have needed resources that will take care of their patrons information needs. Therefore the study recommends that academic libraries in Nigeria should take advantage of the huge amount of resources available in the open access platform of electronic resources to meet the information needs of their patrons in this period of economic recession.