A SURVEY OF THE ATTITUDES OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY FACULTY, STUDENTS AND LIBRARIANS TOWARDS LIBRARY POLICY, USE AND SERVICE

The university library contributes to the achievement of the institution's goals and objectives in teaching, research and service. The interest groups within the university plan an important role in the library's effort to carry out its functions.;The descriptive survey method was used in this research. Three instruments were designed to collect data and four institutions form the population. These are: Ahmadu Bello University, University of Lagos, Bayero University and University of Ilorin. The response rate for the faculty was 67.8 per cent, students 79.5 per cent and university librarians 100 per cent.;The findings show that 58 per cent of the faculty were either undecided or disagreed that adequate planning was made for library resources whereas the university librarians unanimously agreed that adequate planning was made for library resources in the universities. This brings to light the degree of involvement of the two groups on this issue.;The study reveals differences in the pattern of library use by the faculty and students. 59.9 per cent of the faculty respondents used the library weekly while 76 per cent of the student respondents used it daily.;This study determines the attitudes of the major interest groups in Nigerian universities on library policy, use and service; specifically, the attitudes of the faculty, students and librarians on adequacy of resources, quality of library collections and library services.;A majority of the faculty and student respondents indicated that they needed more library staff assistance in journal, audiovisual and government document sections. 58 per cent of the faculty found the librarians helpful in their research and scholarly activities. The majority of the librarians did not find the faculty of much help in building library collections.;The findings strongly suggest more interaction with the patrons. Users needs should also be given greater attention.