E.lECTl\ E \'1) SCOPE Dr.

Emma Camble
:-~: i-:->,nna1l0n Technologist: A.n International Depal1ment of Library Science University of
J ;.;rnal. of Information Communication Maiduguri, Nigeria.
TClhnolo~y IleT) is a referred Journal by Prof. M. Afolabi
'\~ ;,,-:.::r.' Jnd foreign renowned Scholars who
'..:. c: d:,lInuished themselves in the field of Department of Educational Technology and
Library Science,
::-~::,rrnJtion Communication Technology (lCT)
University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom, Nigeria
E"entially the journal concerns itself with
:"c pc:n asi\e impact and the changes in the basic Dr. (Mrs.).). lJ. Igbeka
~hJrJcter of library and information operations Kenneth Dikc Library
.1Ild scnices occasioned by the use of technology. University of [hadan, Nigeria.
The journal deals mainly with the publication
Llf the results of empirical research in the field of Dr. (Mrs.) A. Agbaje
Library, Information Science Communication Nigerian Institute of Educational Planning and
Administration, Ondo, On do State.
and Information Technology as they affect .
De\eloping Countries. The journal is also Dr. E. A. Apcji
devoted to articles of high qualit\f on the Nigerian Educational Research and Development
theoretical aspects of its area of concern. Book Council (NERDC) Abuja. Nigeria.
reviews, letters to the editor, news items and other
brief communications are also welcome. Prof. B. C. Nzotta
South Africa
THE INFORMATION
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 Editorial
This is the December issue of The
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIST: An
International Journal of Information and
Communication Technology Volume 6. Number 2.
We want to use this opportunity to sincerely express
our appreciation to our numerous and highly
respected contributors, subscribers and readers. We
will continue to ensure that the peer review
procedures are greatly accelerated, our practice of
disposing off manuscripts within a time frame of not
more than one month of submission is also assured.
This issue is a special one, altogether twenty-
one articles which explored the possibility of the
profession of library and information technology
reaching out beyond its present confines are
presented.
In this issue, our lead paper by Mrs. Uwen
Eteng and Dr. (Mrs.) Inyang Amiebiet Ntui
surveyed the extent to which e-learning is applied in
the University of Calabar for effective teaching and
learning processes. ' processes of resolving conflicts in the library.
Similar to the lead paper is the article by Dr.
K.O. Ojokheta. The study examined the efficacy of
conducting teaching and learning through e-mail
among 300 level distance learning students in the
Department of Adult Education, University of
Ibadan.
The article by Dr. Philip Usman Akor,
examined the impact of library instruction
programme on the utilization of library services by
undergraduate students of Benue State University,
Makurdi.
In his study, Dr. Stephen Osah,),) Uwaifo
examined computer self-efficacy as predictor of
librarians' perceived ease of use of automated
library systems in Nigerian Universities libraries. ~
The article by Mal. Abubakar Mohammed
Bitagi looked at the information needs of steel
engineers in Nigeria as a necessity to the basic and
complex problems that characterize steel
production.
Mrs. Ngozi C. Azubogu, Mr. Charles Obichere
and Mr. Emmanuel U. Anyanwu surveyed the
funding of public libraries in Nigeria, with Imo
State library Board, Owerri as a case study.
In their study, Dr. (Mrs.) Franca A. Egbokhare
and Professor E.A. Onibere developed F '1meworks
for customer - developer interactions using petrinet
structures.
Engr. (Dr.) Olukayode S. Oyediran and Engr.
Dike O. Kalu in their study, evaluated the present
state of e-tendering in the Nigerian construction
industry, with the objectives of identifying the mode
of electronics in use for tender evaluations.
Dr. R.C. Okoro in his article, examined the use
of computer in Calabar Metropolis with the aim of
determining the most used software and the type of
job mostly done with computer.
Samuel Olu Adeyoyin, Abayomi Imam and
Yemisi Oluremi Oladapo in their study, in-vestigated
the ICT literacy among the health workers of
Igbinedion University teaching Hospital, Okada,
Edo State.
The article by Nkeiru A. Emezie, Ngozi Maria
Nwaohiri and Ngozi Chima James investigated the
impact of digital divide on skills development
amongst academic librarians in Imo State.
In their study Mr. Ifeanyi J. Ezema and Dr.
(Mrs.) Victoria Okafor examined the acquisition and
use of government publications in University of
Nigeria library between 2003 - 2007.
Dr. A.A. Bello in his article highlighted the
concepts of information revolution era, the impact
of information technology and the need for
professional response for ease of access to
information services in electronic era.
The_article by Ibrahim Leah Tashi looked at the
concepts, types and causes bf conflict and the
Mr. Victor Chuks Nwokedi and Mr. Augustin
U. Sani investigated the internet search engine use
behaviour and experience of lecturers at the
University of .los.
Peter O. Moneke, Ifeyinwa B. Okoye and
Amaka Ugonnochie in their study, examined the
methods adopted by libraries to preserve and
conserve their materials.
The articlc by Mrs. B. Marie Dirisu surv~yed
the availability and use of information and
communication technology (lCT) facilities in the
College of Education, Minna.
In their study, Mrs. Ebele N. Anyaoku-and Dr.
Obiora C. Nwosu presented a case report of a fee-.
based CD-ROM medline medical information
search services in the medical library of Nnamdi
Azikiwe University.
Amaka E. Ugoanochie's study gave an insight
on how the FUTO user service serves the public in
line with SER VICOM demands.
Mr. L.O. Adebisi'sarticle discussed the
availability, usability and resource sharing engaged
by the Federal Polytechnic libraries in South-West
geo-political zone of Nigeria.
Another article by Mr. Victor Chuks Nwokedi
and Mr. Jonah Ada identified the information needs
of post-primary school teachers in Jos Metropolis.
Finally, on behalf of the members of the
editorial board, I wish our numerous contri butors,
subscribers and readers happy Christmas and a
prosperous new year.
Evarest C. Madu Ph.D (Ibadan)
MNIM, MCIJ Jp (London)
Editor-in-Chief
E-mail: evamadu@yahoo.co.uk
Phone No.: 08055063324
 THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIST:
AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFORMATION
AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Volume 6 Number 2 December 2009

CONTENTS

Uwem Eteng and Inyang Aniebiet Ntui Ph.D Ifeanyi J. Ezcma (CLN) and Victoria N. Okafor
Access to E-Learning in the Nigerian University (Ph.D) . .
System (NUS): A Case Study of University of Acquisition and Use of Government PublicatIOns
Calabar. in Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of
Nigeria, Nsukka 107
K. O. Ojokheta, Ph.D
The Efficacy of Conducting Teaching and A.A Bello Ph.n
Learning through E-Mail to a Distance Learning Accessibility to Information in Electronic Era:
Class in Nigeria. 11 A Challenge to Information Providers 115

Philip Usman Akor Ph.D .. . L.I. Tashi

Impact of Library Instruction on the UtlhzHtJon
of Library Services by Undergraduate Students
in Benue State University, Makurdi.
Stephen Osahon Uwaifo Ph.D. ..,
Computer Self-Efficacy as Predictor ofLlbranans
Perceived Ease of Use of Automated Library
Systems in Nigerian University Libraries
Abubakar Mohammed Bitagi
Utilization of Information Resources and Services
by Engineers in Selected Steel Companies
in Nigeria
Ngozi C. Azubogu (CLN), Charles Obichere
and Emmanuel U. Anyanwu
Funding of Public Libraries in Nigeria:
A Case Study of Imo State Library Board
Owen'i, Nigeria
F.A. Egbokhare Ph.D and E.A. Onibere Ph.D
Frameworks For User - Developer Interactions
In A Software Development Project
Conflict Resolution in Libraries 121
23
Victor Chuks Nwokedi and Augustin U. Sani
Use of Search Engines for Academic Activities
by the Academic Staff Members of the Faculty
of Natural Sciences, University of Jos 129
31
Peter O. Moncke, Ifeyinwa .B. Okoye and
Amaka E. Ugoanochie
The Preservation and Conservation of Library
Materials: The Case of Federal University of
39 Technology Library, and Imo State University
139
~ibrary Owerri, Owerri, Imo State
Beauty Marie Dirisu
The Availability and Utilization of Information
Communication Technologies (ICTs) in College
149
51 of Education (COE) Minna, A Survey
~ Ebele N. Anyaoku and Obiora C. Nwosu Ph.D
Potentials of Fce - Based Library Services in
57 Nigeria: With a Case Report of a Fee-Based
155
Service in a Medical Library

OIakayode S. Oyediran Ph.D, and Dike 0: Kalu Amaka E. Ugoanochie

Prospect of Using Electronics to do Economic Servicom in the User Services of Federal
Analysis of Contractors' Bids 65
University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)
Library 163
R.c. Okoro Ph.D
Survey And Analyses Of Computer Software O. L. Adebisi (B.Ed, MLS, AMNIM, CLN)
Usage In Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State,
81 ICT Availability, Accessibility and Resource
Nigeria Sharing in the Federal Polytechnic Libraries
in South- West Nigeria 169
Samuel Olu Adeyoyin, Abayomi, Imam
and Yemisi Oluremi Oladapo V.C. Nwokedi and J. Adah
Health Workers' ICT Literacy in a Nigerian
87 Information Needs of Post-Primary School
University Teaching Hospital Teachers in Jns. Plateau State, Nigeria 177

Nkeiru A. Emezie, Ngozi Maria Nwaohiri

and Ngozi Chima James
The Impact of Digital Divide on Skills
De\elopment amongst Academic Librarians
. ~ ; rno State 95
 An International Journal of Information and Communication Technology (leT) Vol. 6 NO.2

Potentials of Fee-Based Library Services in

Nigeria: with a Case Report of a Fee-based
service in a Medical Library
Ebele. N. Anyaoku*
and
Obiora C. Nwosu Ph.D**

*Mrs. Ebele N. Anyaoku is the Medical Librarian of the College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi
Campus. She holds a B.A. (Library Science/English) from University of Nigeria Nsukka and an MLS Library and Information
Studies ti'om University of Ibadan. She is currently a Ph.D student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. E-mail
cbeleanyaoku@vahoo.com Phone No: 08036673022.

**Rev'd Dr. Obiora Cyril Nwosu (CLN) is the Head, Library and Information Science Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University,
Awka. He holds a B.Sc. Education from the Obafemi Awolowo University lie Ife, an MLS and a Ph.D in Library and
Information Science from University of Ibadan. PGD Computer Science Unizik i\wka and Dip. Theo St. Pauls University
College, Awka E-mail obinwachrist@vahoo.com Phone No; 08037089060

Abstract
Libraries have traditionally been custodians of information which arc provided free of charge to users.
Recent decline in funds to libraries and the change in the concept of information from a free resource
to a marketable resource in the infof'Tlation age have necessitated thc re-evaluation of free services in
the libraries. The article presents a case report of a fee-based CD-ROM Medline medical information
search service in the medical library of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Analysis of the Annual Reports
of Medline service shows that a total of 1561 users accessed the service during the six year period it
lasted. The article presents the potential benefits of fee on the service as no interruption of service
because of lack of funds and staff motivation. In addition the paper presented other potential benefit
Nigerian libraries can derive from fee-based service which include increased technology acquisition
as most fee-based services require a measure of technology. In conclusion the paper notes that with
careful planning, fee-based library services have the potentials to help generate income for effective
information provision in Nigerian libraries.
Key words: Fee-based, Library, Services, MEDLINE, University

Introduction national development; a resource to be

The greatest challenge to information
provision in this century is the change in the
concept and nature of information from a free
resource in the library to a marketable
commodity. Information has become an
essential commodity needed for personal and
acquired like other resources of development
like manpower, money and raw materials.
Macgregor (2005) stated that as modem
civilization enters the 21st century, it is now
commonly recognized that a post-mdustrial
age is upon us delivering with it the so called

155
Potentials of Fee-Based Library Services in Nigeria: with a Case Report of a Fee-based service in a Medical Librarv
'New Economy' whereby infom; tion not
only constitutes the very foundations of most
industrial sectors, but more significantly has
transformed into a primary tradable resource
or commodity.
Libraries have traditionally been
custodian of information which are provided
free of charge to users. Thi's is because most
libraries are established as social services and
sustained by grants and subventions from
their parent institutions whether public or
private. Libraries were not seen as profit
making organization nor cost recovery
centres for these institutions. But Koulikov
(2008) expounded a contrary view of free
services; he wrote that in contrast to general
view, libraries for ages have always charged
fees for services; citing Giacoma (1989) he
explained that the idea of a library charging
for its services and products sounds almost
counterintuitive. The reality is that for
decades, if not for the entire history of
libraries, fees for certain library services have
been imposed on users
If information is the main commodity of
library services and information has become
an economic resource; a marketable resource
subject to the laws of demand and supply,
and of which players are willing to pay
money to acquire, it is necessary to evaluate
the value of information as a commodity in
the library through fee - based services.
Fee - based services in the library context
is the demand for financial payment for
services and products offered to users.
Macgregor stated that it is simply untenable
to assume that government should bankroll
the creation and maintenance of inlvrmation.
Information providers, whether public or
private, have to recapture costs and this
ultimately, can only be achieved by
concentrated effort on the part of providers to
instantiate innovative new charging models.
Current state of fee-based services in
Nigerian Libraries
Research reports show that fee-based services
are not fully harnessed in Nigerian libraries
156
and where available, are generally unplanned
with no definite strategy to make it contribute
meaningfully to the finances of the library.
Ifidion (2005) in a study of 46 university
libraries in Nigeria reported that the existing
fee-based lihrary and information services in
Nigerian Universities are not well and
properly managed. The library staff offers the
fee-based services routinely like any other
ordinary Iibrary services and the records of
the transactions are not well maintained either
in such a way to assist management in their
decision-making process. She enumerated the
following; hinding, photocopying services, e-
mail, internet connectivity, CD-ROM
searching, computer type setting and
document delivery service as services that are
offered for fees in the university libraries.
Obodoeze (2007) in his study of fee based
services in seven academic libraries in
Anambra State, reported that little attempt
have been made by academic libraries in
Anambra State to adopt a fee based library
service. Apart from photocopying and
internet services, no other service is fee-
based.
Statement of Problem
Majority of libraries in Nigeria are directly or
indirectly owned by the federal or state
governments. There are also libraries owned
by some private establishments and
multinational companies. Funding for these
libraries is mainly from subventions and
grants from their parent institutions.
Following the increasing economic recession
in the country, there has been a marked
decline in funds budgeted to most libraries
resulting in marked reduction in resource
acquisition and renewal. Federal government
owned libraJies are not exempted from this
predicament. For instance, the 10%
mandatory budget allocation to libraries in
federal uni versities in Nigeria instituted
though NUC in 1993 was removed in 2003
with no alternate statutory provision to fund
the libraries (Ifidion 2005)
 An International Journal of Information and COllllllunication Technology (leT) Vol. 6 No. :2
This state of affairs is unacceptable and
therefore need solutions. One solution can be
a planned and pragmatic fee based services to
generate supplement income to augment
subventions from parent organizations.
Rational for this study
The paper presents a report on a fee-based
service in a medical library. The rationale for
this study is to show the benefits a library can
derive from a planned fee-based programme,
Recommendations that wi 11 lead to successful
setting of fee-based library services in
Nigerian Libraries are made.
Methodology
The paper is a case report of a fee-based
service in the medical library of Nnamdi
Azikiwe University. This is a hrst hand
observational study of the effect of fee on
library services. Information presented was
through a comprehensive literature search of
fee- based services in libraries. Data on
Medline usage was obtained through
document analysis of Medline Annual reports
from 200 1 - 2007. While the service lasted
the library kept daily records of users and
fees collected. This record was collated at
the end of each month. The monthly records
were complied at the end of the year for the
publication of a MEDLINE Annuul Report.
This report served as a progress report to the
University Library Management and the
College Library Committee. Content analysis
of each of the reports revealed the data used
for this study.
Fee-Based Medline Service in the Medical
Library of Nnamdi Azikiwe University
The medical library is located within the
premises of Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Teaching Hospitals Nnewi. The user
community comprises all teach'lg staff,
medical and paramedical personnel,
undergraduate and post graduate students of
both the Teaching Hospital and the College
of Health Sciences. Outside users who have
157
need for the resources are also given access to
the collection.
In line with the new development in the
use of information and communication
technologies for information dissemination,
the library in 1999 acquired a computer set
and a set of Medline on CD - ROM. Medline
on CD is a bibliographic database of the
United States' National Library of Medicine.
It provides access to abstracts of a wide range
of journal articles published in medicine and
other related fields all over the world.
In the planning state, the library
committee comprising academic staff
members and the librarian met to decide on
the modalities for hosting the service. It was
decided that fees will be charged to maintain
the services. The agreed fees were small
compared to what was charged within the
environment. The service was therefore to
run on a not-for-profit basis. Fund realized
was to be used to maintain the equipment and
buy needed materials for the upkeep of the
service. Thc service was formally launched in
February 2000.
Overview of the use of fee-based Medline
services in the medical library
From inception, the response from users was
very positi ve. They were willing to pay the
stipulated fees. Funds realized were managed
by the library. This was a great advantage as
funds were readily available to offset repairs
as soon as needed and to purchase
consumables and computer accessories within
the earning range of the service. This
prevented undue interruption of the service.
The service lasted from February 2000 to
2006 when it was discontinued following the
libraries registration in WHO Health
InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative
(HINARI )Network.
On the whole a total of One thousand
Five Hundred and Sixty - One (1561) users
accessed the fee- based service. The yearly
record of Medline use is shown in Table 1.
The graphic representation is also presented
in Chart 1.
Potel11ials of Fee-Based Library Services in Nigeria: with a Case Report of a Fee-based service in a Medical Library

Table 1: yearly record of Medline usc*

Year No
330
324
148
235
98
154
1561
274ofsearc hes
2003
Total
2000
2004
2005
. 2006
2001
2002

(":Source Medline Annual Report 2007)

(
,i

Chart 1 :Graphic Record of Medline Use

(1)
(J
-
CO
250
0 z0U)a.. 200
350
150
100
J: 300 50
0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

The gradual discontinuation of the service
in 2006 is the result of the lowest record of
usage for that year. The library became a
member of HINARI Network in 2006.
HINARI accessed through the internet
provides access to Pubmed the on line
version of Medline. HINARI have the
advantage of providing full text to articles.
The shift to this service reduced the demand
for Medline. In 2003 which also recorded low
usage, Nigerian Universities were involved in
prolonged industrial actions which lead to the
closure of the University for many months
Impact of fee on Medline service and
benefits to the library
By charging fees Medline service
was never interrupted because of lack
of funds. Money realized was used to
maintain and upgrade electronic
resources as soon as needed.

158
 An International Journal of Information and Communication Technology (leT) Vol. 6 No.2

The service gave a very strong rating In addition fee-based services have the
to the resource collection of the potentials to achieve the following m
medical library especially to the Nigerian Libraries;
various accreditation teams that Improved servIces and user
visited the College. satisfaction
Staff were generally motivated. The Fee based servIces can lead to
service was launched at a period improved services in Nigerian
when computer literacy of users was libraries. This is because by charging
very minimal. By conducting fees there will be the need to work
mediated searches, Medline offered towards user satisfaction to attract
them an avenue to show their skills. patronage and this in turn will lead to
This brought new relationship with improve services. If users get what
members of the College. It served as they want by paying fees, they will be
a kind of public relation. morc satisfied than recei ving
irrelevant information for free. Jenda
The major problem encountered in the wrote that fee-based services are a
service was power fluctuation which led to test-bed for establishing higher levels
constant system break down. of customer service standards which
The success of Medline services in the will be of benefit to primary users.
medical library of the College of Health
Sciences of Nnamdi Azikiwe University is an Promotion of library services/ public
example of how a library can benefit from a relation
planned fee based service. Other libraries in~ Fee based services in the area of
Nigeria in this era of paucity of funds can mediated searches for example will
also benefit from these potential benefits. consolidate on the unique information
handling skills of the librarian
Potentials of fee-based library service in Claudette, (2004) stated that through a
Nigeria fee-based information service, the
The most potential benefits of fee based library.has the potential of boosting its
library services, is that it car provide image within the institution and
alternate sources of income to supplement within the community at large,
library finances. This income no matter how increasing opportunities for improved
marginal can be used to augment limited usage. Downing (1990) wrote that fee
library finances for effective information based services can infuse an
provision. This is especially important in this organization with new sets of
era of ICTs where service provision requires attitudes, relationships, professional
recurrent spending for maintenance of values and management styles
equipment and updating of electronic
resources. Jenda (2000) noted that with Technology acquisition
continued experimentation, fee-based Fee-based services can be an
services can effectively serve as a way of underlying motivation for
meeting existing demand for libra"v service technological acquisition in Nigerian
from external users, generating income for libraries. This is because most fee-
the library, and establishing new library based services require a measure of
service model. technology use for instance CD-ROM
database searching, internet and
digital library usage. This can help

159
Potentials of Fee-Based Library Services in Nigeria: with a Case Report of a Fee-based service in a Medical Library
solve the problem of dearth of ICTs in
Nigeria Libraries
Increase patronage.
Nigerian libraries especially academic
libraries are experiencing decrease in
user patronage because libraries are
yet to seriously move out of the
traditional mode of information
delivery. If digitization is vigorously
pursued and made available with
attached fees, it can increase
patronage not just from internal users
but external users who have need of
the digitized collection. According to
Fee-based library services would even
make the library users appreciate the
services rendered by libraries and
information centres for it is a known
fact that whatever has value entails
cost (Obodoeze, 2007)
Recommendations for implementation
fee-based services in Nigerian Lihtaries
For beneficial implementation of fee-based
library services in Nigerian libraries, this
paper makes the following recommendations:
a. Planning
Fee-based services should not be an
accidental occurrence in the library, proper
planning should be undertaken before setting
up a fee-based service. This will involve
conducting a need assessment. The question
is why? how? and for whom? These
questions will help set the objectiv~ and the
method of achieving them. They will also
help to determine the target users
b. Costing of information product
In assigning cost, the library should consider
the nature of the service and the objectives of
charging fees. The fee based service can be
set up as a Not - for - profit venture or as a
Profit making venture.
In the Not - for- Profit venture, the issue
is not to make profit but fees are charged to
sustain the service. Prices are set tn cover a
level of cost. Though profit is not the main
issue along the line, profit may be realized.
For Profit making venture, the main aim in
setting price is for profit making. Prices are
assigned nol'.just to cover cost of providing
service and product but to make profit.
Broady J. E. (1997) wrote that pricing can be
approached in two ways. The cost can be
calculated as a starting point for price, or one
can begin with price the market will bear and
then calculate if it is possible to produce the
service at the right cost.
c. Marketing of information product
Marketing involves promotion of a product in
order to sensitize the potential user, create
awareness and build demand Jain (1999)
noted that a crucial element in the
sustainability of information systems and
!services is effective marketing. It presents
avenues to generate revenue and reduce the
financial constraints that many information
of services are facing in developing countties.
Promotion of fee-based services can be
done through production of flyers, brochures,
posters, write up in Newsletters, publicity
through planned demonstration of products
and services in conference, seminars and
workshops of user group.
d. Evaluation
Periodic evaluation of the service should be
undertaken. Each evaluation strives to
determine how well individual products and
services arc working, to identify why they
have succeeded or failed. (kawatra 2000)
Evaluation can be with questionnaires,
preparation of annual reports etc.
Conclusion
Fee-based services have the potentials to
improve library services. Fee based Medline
services as offered by the Medical Library of
the College of Health Sciences of Nnamdi
Azikiwe University is an/example of how a
library can harness fees for improved
services. With careful planning, marketing
and management of staff, fee-based library
160
 An International Journal of Information and Communication Technology (leT) Vol. 6 No.2
services have the potentials to help generate
income for effective information provision in
Nigerian libraries)
References
BroadyJ. E. (1997). Costing of bibliographic services.
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