Abstract
The main objective of this study is to investigate the federal university libraries' readiness for
development of self-archiving practice with reference to Northwest, Nigeria. The study
adopted qualitative approach using cross sectional survey design. The sample of the study
was made up of (14) e-library managers in the seven (7) university libraries of federal
universities in the North West, Nigeria. A semi-structured interview was used in conducting
the research. Finding of the study revealed that the university libraries were found to have a
positive perception of open access repositories and they were increasingly ready to support
using them. With regards to their readiness towards the development of open access
repository, the findings of this study revealed that the status of readiness of university
libraries under study in terms of ICT infrastructure, capacity building, funding and policies
were low, a lot needs to be done in order to show-case the development of Open Access
repository in the university libraries under study. Findings on capacity building skills
required for the development of open access to support self-archiving practices, revealed that
librarians possessed skills on ability to design web programming, download and retrieve data
from database, ability to install computer program and ability to operate library software. lack
of awareness about the existence of OA repository; copyright and intellectual property issues;
inadequate funding; lack of skills needed for the self-archiving; lack of mandatory self-
archiving policy by the university were the major challenges.
Publication Date: 2024-05-15