Library as a Tool for Effective Legislative Performance: A Study of Nigeria National Assembly

Abstract

This study examined the library as a tool for effective legislative performance using the Nigeria National Assembly (NASS) as a case study. The study was motivated by the desire to know the role the library played in the legislative process of the Nigeria National Assembly. Accordingly, three objectives were identified for the study namely: (i) to find out what a standard library for a legislature should be. (ii) To examine the standard of the Nigeria National Assembly Library. (iii) To examine the usage of library for legislative process in Nigeria National Assembly. The study focused on Nigerian fourth republic 1999 - 2022. The justification for the study derived from the fact that legislative services can hardly succeed without research that can be facilitated by the existence of a library. Yet, after so many years of democratic practices, the Nigeria National Assembly is in deficit of a standard library that can support its activities. This called for investigation into library as a tool for effective performance in the Nigeria National Assembly. The study adopted a mixed research design, and employed the stratified random sampling technique. Therefore, qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used. The respondents who provided the primary data were selected using stratified proportional random sampling. Which were reflected in the use of questionnaires, interviews and content analysis. While secondary data were taken from relevant sources and used in all relevant areas of the research work. Data gathered were analysed using frequencies and percentages. With respect to the objective one on what a standard legislative library should be, the study which reviewed various literature on standard legislative libraries across the globe revealed that a legislative library should not only be a superstructure but should have in-stock adequate, historical and current reference books as well as efficient internet services that will facilitate cross-communication. With respect to objective two which was to examine the standard of the Nigeria National Assembly library, the study revealed, sadly, that the National Assembly did not possess a library that adequately matched its status as a leading democratic institution in Africa. With respect to objective three, on the level of usage of the library for legislative processes, the study revealed that members/staff/aides of the National Assembly were aware of the existence of a mini library in the Assembly but 75% of the respondents were not patronizers of the library. The conclusion of the study was that despite the importance of the library in facilitating effective legislative performance, the Nigeria National Assembly in its over 22 years of the Fourth Republic did not have that supporting library infrastructure that could support its effective performance. It is therefore recommended that the National Assembly should endeavour to construct a befitting and well-equipped library that will attract not only immediate users but even external users. The National Assembly library should try to sensitize its primary stakeholders (legislators, aides & staff) on the importance of continuous reading for effective legislative performance. The National Assembly Library should seek collaboration with other standard international libraries to benefit from international best practices. The National Assembly should emphasize Knowledge Capital in all facets of its legislative practice as that would encourage parliamentarians as well as their staff and aides to patronize the library.