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This paper presents a survey of research using a questionnaire to investigate the role of exhibitions in Nigerian university libraries. The study revealed that exhibitions are not taken seriously as a means of attracting both potential users in a society with poor reading culture and more funds for library development. None of the responding university libraries had any written policy on exhibitions nor made budgetary provisions. Between 1991 and 1995, only 83 exhibitions were organized, an average of 16 per academic year. The occasions attracting exhibitions were major anniversaries such as convocation, national day, students' orientation and displays on subjects of general interest. About 50 per cent of the libraries hold exhibitions irregularly. The problems associated with the effective management of library exhibitions were highlighted, while suggestions were proffered to make exhibitions meaningful in Nigerian university libraries.

Reviews the provision of textbooks at all levels of the Nigerian educational system. Suggests that there is a great shortage of books at all levels of education, but the most acute being at the tertiary level due to an overwhelming dependence on imported books. Reveals that libraries promoting scholarship are limited to elite and private schools which are models which cannot be replicated on a national scale. Articulates the implications of the dearth of books for an informed citizenry and for national development and suggests some solutions to improve the availability and accessibility of books in Nigeria.

This study uses official documents and interviews to examine the creative ways that Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Library adapts to survive austerity. To circumvent the shortfalls in books and journal acquisitions, the Library receives enhanced funding, uses UNESCO coupons and actively solicits for gifts, exchanges, and repository privileges. To sustain basic services and to have a steady supply of stationery, the library has commercialised its photocopying, video coverage, lamination, training programme, and other services. The setting up of the National Documentation and Information Centre has the double blessing of attracting books and donations of journals, and of raising funds for the running of the Library’s essential services.

A questionnaire survey of Nigerian university libraries was conducted to determine the significance of research and publication for promotion. Of the 20 responding libraries, almost all (16 or 80 per cent) accorded their professional librarians faculty status and the enjoyment of the rights, privileges and responsibilities accruing to the teaching academic staff. Only 11 libraries (55 per cent) indicated that both subject field publication and publications in library/information science are rated equally. Of these, four confirmed that the question of the rating of subject publications had been an issue. It is recommended that both the Nigerian Library Association and the Committee of University Librarians should come up with a national policy on publication requirements for college and university libraries.

Inconsistency and/or a lack of a clear understanding of the criteria for serial selection and evaluation have been observed to characterise the presentation of requests for approval of serials at the University of Botswana Library (UBL). This, on a number of occasions, has made decision taking difficult and sometimes inconclusive. The paper provides a case study of the examination of guidelines in use in other academic libraries. It also describes the process and procedure currently in use at the UBL. The study identified some anomalies and suggests modifications to ensure consistency in the presentation of submissions to guide better decision making by the Serials Selection Committee of the Library.

This paper discusses the staffing patterns at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Library, Bauchi, Nigeria from 1981‐1997. The expansion and scope of services of the library, application of modern technologies to library operations and funding dictated the staffing policy to a large extent. The difficulties encountered in getting the right calibre of staff, both professional/academic and supporting were highlighted. Finally, suggestions were posited for effective staffing of libraries in Nigeria.

Surveys factors affecting the reading habits of secondary school students in Ogbomoso State in Nigeria and discusses the results. Highlights the following inhibiting factors: the family background of students where few homes are conducive to reading owing to noise and lack of reading materials; the lack of functional libraries in most of the schools surveyed and a similar lack of trained librarians or teacher librarians; the failure to provide library periods in schools; language teachers and shortage of equipment and resources for teaching reading skills; and a heavy reliance on school texts, although students show willingness to read more broadly, e.g. newspapers and novels.

The purpose of this paper is to review the different sources of financing university libraries in Africa and the challenges faced by libraries in sourcing for funds, with a view to suggesting innovative ways through which the library can raise additional funds.

The paper reviews the literature on different sources of financing libraries globally, especially alternative sources of funding outside government grants. It identifies the challenges faced in sourcing for funds, best practices in raising additional funds and makes suggestions on non‐conventional ways that can be used by libraries to address the challenge.

The paper finds that government provides about 90 per cent of the funds for university libraries in Africa. However, the funding is not only inadequate, but is also usually provided on an ad hoc basis. It notes that, in spite of the fact that the literature reveals that librarians are aware of the danger inherent in depending so much on one source of funding and the need to seek alternative sources, they have not done much to overcome the challenge.

In reviewing the various sources of financing university libraries, the paper notes that government allocation remains the major source of revenue; notes the alternative sources of revenue in different countries and describes some of the best practices available. The paper also updates the literature on the subject by discussing current practices, and makes a case for the establishment of a Business and Public Relations department in libraries, an increase in public‐private partnerships and greater efficiency in managing library resources.

To investigate photocopying practices in tertiary institutions in Nigeria as they relate to the existing copyright law and suggestions to regulate photocopying practices so that the infringement of copyright laws will be minimized.

An empirical approach in which questionnaires, in addition to observation and interview methods, were used to obtain data on the photocopying practices and the awareness of copyright laws by the respondents in five tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

That the major reasons for photocopying are the cheapness of photocopies compared with the cost of purchasing books and journals as well as the scarcity of books. More than 50 per cent of the respondents photocopied whole books and journals, while over 65 per cent of them are aware of the copyright law.

The study was limited to five tertiary institutions in three zones of Nigeria. It could not cover all the tertiary institutions in Nigeria as that would have been too time‐consuming and expensive.

A useful guide to reasons why people prefer to do photocopies as compared with the purchase of books and the way by which more books can be made available at cheaper cost in order to discourage the propensity for photocopying. It will also create greater awareness and respect for the rule of the copyright law.

It provided suggestions that would create greater awareness of the copyright law in tertiary institutions. It also provided clues to creating book availability in the Nigerian book market and in institutional libraries as a way of discouraging massive photocopying practices which lead to infringement of the copyright law.

This study aims to examine the effect of staff seminars on the publications productivity of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals in academic libraries in Ogun State, Nigeria.

To elicit the necessary information, a two‐part questionnaire was sent to 41 LIS professionals in the seven academic libraries in Ogun state during the 2002/2003 session. Of this number, 34 (82.3 percent) were returned and found usable.

Analysis of the returned questionnaires showed that the majority of respondents' libraries hold seminars, though only occasionally (70.8 percent). Participation is largely restricted to academic librarians (62.5 percent), although some libraries (37.5 percent) allowed participation by their para‐professional staff. While presentation of papers is largely optional (66.7 percent), some libraries (33.3 percent) made it obligatory for their staff. Most of the respondents were of the opinion that staff seminars positively affected their publication output in terms of quality and quantity. A total of 66 out of the total of 79 manuscripts submitted for publication after they have been criticized by their peers at seminars were published. This constitutes 83.5 percent success. The study recommends that staff seminars should be taken more seriously in university libraries so as to improve on the quality and increase the publication output of librarians as well as to justify their academic status.

This study provides useful information for those interested in the effect of staff seminars on the publications productivity of LIS professionals in academic libraries.