Abstract
This study examines human resource planning (HRP) and coordination (HRC) in enhancing
the job performance of librarians within university libraries in North Central Nigeria.
Descriptive survey design was employed for the study, the population of the study
constituted 244 academic librarians in all the 14 public universities in North Central
Nigeria. Data was collected with the use of questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive
statistics. Three (3) research questions and one (1) research hypothesis guided the study,
which was tested using t-test at 0.05 level of significance. Result showed that despite the
critical importance of human capital to the university's mission of teaching, learning, and
research, library personnel in this region often exhibit low job performance, frequently
attributed to unconducive work environments and a lack of motivation. The study explores
how HRP practices and HRC mechanisms can serve as pivotal strategic tools to mitigate
these challenges. This investigation reveals critical gaps, including inadequate funding for
career development, management resistance to training, and poor employee relations. The
findings underscore that proactive, dynamic, and forward-looking HR strategies are
essential to prevent library services from becoming obsolete in a rapidly evolving digital
landscape. The study concludes that addressing identified systemic challenges and
optimizing HR coordination will significantly enhance staff performance and service delivery. These results provide practical recommendations for library management and
policymakers to foster a more productive and resilient academic environment.
Keywords: Human Resource Planning, Human Resource Coordination, Job
Performance, University Libraries, North Central Nigeria.
Publication Date: 2026-07-31