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Challenges Of Selection And Acquisition Of Grey Literature
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STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Selection and
acquisition of grey literature has always been problematic. As Charles
.P. Augur points out in his book, the core reason for difficulties in
identifying and acquiring this kinds of literature are due to its :poor
bibliographic information and control, non-professional layout and, low
print runs†(Augur 1989,3). The implementation of bibliographic control
through ISBN, ISSN and report number has been somewhat helpful, but also
disorganized. For instance, reports which makes up the lion’s share of
grey literature, do not use ISBN as a rule Instead, reports numbering
was intrated as a means to introduce standardisation. The problem is
that, these numbers were designed to include subject matter, date, form,
agency, section, additional data and consequently are quite long and
confusing. In addition some categories of this kind of literature do
contain security restrictions. M.C Debachere points out that problems
arise in libraries when a pation request a particular document and it is
not apparent where to begin the search. (Debachere, 1995, 95).
1.4
SCOPE/LIMITATION OF THE STUDY This research work is focused on
challenges of selection and acquisition of grey literature in libraries.
It is extremely difficult to conduct a research of this nature that
embraces all libraries in Nigeria, this is because the vital data for
such a study will be difficult to come by. Therefore, to ensure the
efficient and effective collection of relevant data, the researcher
brought the scope of the study to a more manageable size and will
restrict the investigation to only two academic libraries, namely;
Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and Imo State University
(IMSU) libraries both of Owerri. It is natural to encounter problems in a
study like this because it’s broader wise. In as much as time and
financial constraint becomes my shortcoming, in terms of transportation
and photocopying materials, this research work is limited to internet
search and interviews form acquisition librarians of two schools stated
above.
1.5 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY This study is carried to:
i.
Identify the importance of grey literature in libraries.
ii. To find out
its selection and acquisition process.
iii. To know the different types
of grey literature.
iv. To know what challenges are encounter in
acquiring grey literature and how to face them.
v. To know what
constitute the grey literature and who uses them.
vi. To identify the
problems of grey literature and their possible solutions.
1.6 RESEARCH
QUESTION
1. Is there need for grey literature in the academic libraries?
2. Does your library select and acquire grey literature?
3. If it does
what kind of grey literature does it acquire?
4. Does your library
encounter any challenges in acquiring the grey literature?
5. If yes,
what challenges does it encounter? 6. When last did your library acquire
the grey literature?
1.7 AIMS/PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of this
study is to fulfil the basic requirement for award of National Diploma
(HND) in the department of Library and Information Science, Federal
Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri. The purpose of this research work is to
contribute to the development of library collection and to make
effective tool in grey literature as management tool in an academic
library. The study will also add to the literature of librarianship as
well as be of immense help to the students, lecturers, librarians,
schools and the nation at large.
1.8 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY This
study is meant to provide assistance to those in scholarly environments
wishing to extend their research capabilities. This study will also save
the scholars and lay readers alike with research summaries, facts, and
other data that offer more comprehensive view of their topic interest.
Quick access, greater flexibility, and opportunity to go into
considerable details when necessary are all the significance this study
will provide to scholars/students. The study also is very significant to
students who may wish to replicate the work for better research as it
serve as reference source. 1.9 DEFINATION OF THE TERMS 1.9.1 SELECTION:
It is the act of choosing items or library materials yet to be acquired
for the satisfaction of library clienteles. It is the act of choice and a
quantity of variety choosen from the lists of publication. It must
precedes acquisition because, it is only when you select that you can
acquire what you have selected.
1.9.2 ACQUSTITION: This is the act of
obtaining materials selected. It is the act of making available the
library materials that was selected from the list of publication, and it
is done through the following channels, purchase, gifts, inter-library
loan or exchange, legal deposit, etc. It is a term used for provision of
library materials.
1.9.3 GREY LITERATURE: This is the term used to
cover all publications that are not controlled by commercial publishing
interests. That is, those publications that are issued by government,
academia, business and industry in both print and electronic format.
Grey literature comprises of newsletters, reports, working papers,
theses, government documents, bulletins, fact sheets, symposia,
conference proceedings etc. Virtually everything we read outside of
journals and books can be considered grey literature.
1.9.4 LIBRARIES:
When there is more than one library, there are libraries. A library is
not a store house of books as commonly believed by some people (layman),
rather it is a collection of books and non-book materials organised for
use. It is a store house of information and knowledge. It is an agency
that is involved in the selection, acquisition, organisation,
preservation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information
through books and non-book material for users. 1.9.5 A library could
also be “a building room or set of rooms containing an organised
collection of prints and/or non-print materials for the use of the
public or of some particular portion of it (Oduagwu, 2002).
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