The Ghana Collection at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Library

Abstract

Special collections of academic libraries are of great historical and archival value and form the core of primary research in the humanities and social sciences. Their impact on university libraries has become so important because they provide researchers access to the nation’s and university’s heritage collections. The Ghana Collection at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Library is of great importance because of its historical and archival value. This paper discusses the patronage and usage of the collection. Data for the study were obtained from interviews and personal observation for a period of 9 months, and from official files. An assessment of the patronage of the collection showed that the materials are heavily used during January to April and September through December each year. Digitization of the collection is seen as a means of preserving the resources but also making the collection more accessible to scholars locally, nationally and worldwide. Challenges affecting the management of the collection are discussed and appropriate recommendations made to ensure maximum utilization of these unique and out-of-print materials.