Call to End the Era of Unqualified and Non-Professional Heading Libraries

 Nigerian Library Association Calls for Urgent Reform in Library Sector Leadership

In a bold move to address the long-standing issues plaguing the library and information sector in Nigeria, Pastor Dominic Omokaro, the esteemed President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), recently announced the 62nd National Conference and Annual General Meeting set to take place from July 7th to 12th, 2024, in Port Harcourt. The conference, themed “Promoting Diversity and Inclusiveness through Innovative Library and Information Service Delivery in Nigeria,” is not just a routine gathering. It’s a clarion call to action for systemic reform.

Critical Concerns and Actionable Solutions

Pastor Omokaro shed light on the troubling trend of non-librarians occupying leadership roles in libraries across the country—a practice that not only dilutes the essence of professional librarianship but also hampers the growth and effectiveness of library services. From Covenant University in Ota to government-run libraries in the Federal Capital Territory, the issue is widespread and detrimental to the sector's development.

The NLA President emphasized the urgent need for Federal and State Governments to rectify this by issuing employment waivers for the recruitment of professional librarians, especially in the school library system where the situation is particularly dire. The Association also called on the FCT Administration to enhance the public and school library systems, suggesting the establishment of an FCT Library Board for better management.

 National Intervention and Policy Recommendations

Highlighting the critical role of educational regulatory bodies, Omokaro urged institutions to integrate librarians into their accreditation and resource verification teams, ensuring the maintenance of high professional standards. The NLA also seeks governmental support, proposing the appointment of a Special Adviser to the President on Library and Information Matters and advocating for the completion of the National Library of Nigeria headquarters—a project long overdue since the 2nd Republic.

A Collective Effort for Change

The NLA's message is clear: It’s time for a united front to salvage the Nigerian library system and reestablish the country's position as a leader in Africa's educational and informational landscape. The Association calls upon the Nigerian elites, stakeholders, and the general public to join in this crucial endeavor to uphold professional standards and ensure the appointment of qualified librarians to leadership positions within libraries.

As the Nigerian Library Association gears up for its pivotal conference in Port Harcourt, the eyes of the nation are on its stakeholders, awaiting meaningful change that will reshape the future of libraries in Nigeria. With a comprehensive agenda and a firm call to action, the NLA is poised to spearhead a transformation in the library and information sector, promising a brighter, more inclusive future for all Nigerians.

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-John Alonge
Reporting for 
Optimistic Scholar 
www.optimisticscholar.com      ||     www.optimisticservice.nl

 

Nigerian Library Association speaks out against appointment of non-librarian as Acting Registrar of LRCN

The Nigerian Library Association (NLA) has expressed its concerns over the recent appointment of a non-librarian as Acting Registrar of the Librarian's Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN).

According to the NLA President, Dominic Omokaro, the Council's decision to appoint a non-librarian to regulate the profession of librarianship is an aberration and goes against the standards of other regulatory bodies in the country.

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The Nigerian Library Association (NLA) has expressed concern over recent events at the Librarian's Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN). The Acting Registrar of the council recently retired after reaching the age of 60 and, in accordance with Public Service Rules, handed over to the most senior Director, who is not a librarian.

As a professional regulatory agency, the NLA believes that it is inappropriate for a non-librarian to head the organization responsible for regulating the profession of librarianship in Nigeria. Other regulatory bodies, such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, COREN, and Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, do not allow non-professionals to head their organizations.

The NLA believes that the appropriate action would have been for the LRCN to consult the Federal Ministry of Education and second the Director of Library Services of the Ministry to oversee the affairs of the Council until a substantive Registrar is appointed in accordance with the Act No.12 of 1995, which specifies the qualifications of the appointee.

As a result, the NLA has disassociated itself from the actions of the LRCN and has advised its members to refrain from participating in all activities of the Council, including the induction ceremony, until a qualified librarian is appointed by the government to run the affairs of the Council.

The NLA has also given the Federal Government two weeks to take appropriate action, failing which the association will explore other strategies to seek redress. This is not a threat to the government, but an internal circular to inform NLA members and the President of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN).

The NLA has urged its members to remain calm and continue to pray for the profession. The association will continue to monitor the situation closely and update its members accordingly.

2018 Library Week Communiqué of NLA Oyo State Chapter

NLA Oyo State Chapter 2018 Library Week, Conference and AGM Communiqué

Day1  Participants (Ibadan)
 including Dr. Amos Adamu (Keynote speaker) & Prof Soji Aremu (DLCUI)

At the Conference and Annual General Meeting organized by the Nigerian Library Association, Oyo State Chapter, with the theme: "Library and Social Media as Catalyst for National Unity and Security" held at the Oyo State Library Board Ibadan and the Federal  School of  Surveying Oyo on 21^stand 22^nd November, 2018 respectively, noting that libraries and librarians are usually not adequately involved in issues of National unity and security, and having noted that they are great stakeholders in National Unity and Security issues were deliberated on and resolved as follows:

1. That librarians including Library and Information Science e.g. students and retirees should always play their role in ensuring that they are proactive and concerned with using social media and other related information channels to enhance National Unity and Security issues;
2. That librarians should devise means of achieving proper and accurate information by eschewing  disinformation and misinformation, to foster National unity and security via social media and other related  information channels;
3. That librarians should endeavor to adopt Bibliotherapy - that is, the systematic use of books to help users cope with mental, physical, emotional, psychological or social problems thereby  enhancing  National unity and security;
4. That librarians should embrace mentor-mentee relationships and as such, experienced librarians should make themselves available to mentor upcoming  librarians who are willing to be mentored in order to enhance the professional development of librarians and foster National Unity and Security;
5. That libraries  should endeavor  to set up  Makerspaces  (physical place set aside for creative hands-on activities ranging from arts and handcrafts to mechanics, electronics, web and app development), in order to meet the unexpressed needs of the young  library users and influence them to patronize and profitably engage in the library to prevent them from delinquent or violent activities  that can disrupt National Unity and Security;
6. That librarians should take advantage of social media to collect and  disseminate timely information that could enhance agriculturists, researchers, extension officers, and practitioners in ensuring food security thereby promoting National unity and security;  and
7. The Librarians should be encouraged to use social media in settling conflicts because it is cheap and easy to use when face to face interventions are not possible, thereby promoting National Unity and Security.

Day  2 Participants (Oyo Town)
 including Rector, Federal School of Surveying 

Signed by 

Dr. P. Olaojo (Chairman, NLA, Oyo State Chapter)   || Gbanga Adeyi, (Secretary NLA Oyo State Chapter 

________________________________________________

Communiqué Draft Team

Pastor Yemi Akintunde (Convener) || Mrs Adetoun Oyelude || Mrs Oluwayemisi Ayanyemi || Dr Ayodele Alonge || Mrs Gbemisola Alade ||Mr David B. Badejo

ICT Workshop:- Current Issues and Emerging Trends in Libraries and Information Centers

Libraries in recent times tend to be experiencing some challenges resulting from the increasing demands of adopting technological facilities in providing creative and innovative services to the users. 

The current and emerging trends in information handling and communication processes call for continued skills update if we do not want to be relegated to the back or forced to go into extinction as anticipated by most users who have accustomed themselves with the search engines. LITT workshop which over the years had been known for its provision of practical exercises (hands-on) on new trends in the profession has packaged this year’s training on the theme:

Current Issues and Emerging Trends in Libraries and Information Centers: Actions for Impact

Sub-Themes:

• Transformative and cutting-edge services and practices: Strategies and technologies to support them
• Creating value for research communities with new tools and techniques
• Innovations and tools for records’ management in an electronic era
• Online tools for web archiving and preservation
• Exposure to grant and fellowship opportunities with the winning tips
• Landfills and steps to embedded librarianship practice

        

Date: 17th – 21st October, 2016

Venue: Yaba College of Technology, Yaba – Lagos

Registration Fee: N25, 000 (Paid-up Members) N30, 000 (Non Paid-up Members)

Who should attend?

Heads of Libraries and Information Centres; Librarians working in Academic, Public, Special, School and Private Libraries; Records Managers; Digital Librarians; Webmasters; Information Technology Staff in Libraries; Archivists; Internet Professionals; Content Managers; Cybrarians; Information Consultants; Information architects and Researchers.

For invitation, registration and details 

To register, click here or go to the conference registration page

Nigeria Librarian wins Fulbright Senior Scholar Fellowship for the 2016/2017

Nigerian Librarian, Dr(Mrs) Yetunde Zaid has won the prestigious Fulbright Senior Scholar Fellowship.  

Dr (Mrs) Yetunde Zaid, Head, Reader's Services Department, University Library, University of Lagos has just been awarded the Fulbright Senior Scholar Fellowship for the 2016/2017 session.

Dr Zaid who will be in the United States for the 9 months programme is the first female, and the  second librarian in Nigeria to win the esteemed and competitive award after Dr  Benedict Oladele, the University Librarian, University of Ibadan,  who won the award 14years ago.

More library and information professionals are encouraged to apply for Fulbright programs:

Call for applications for the following Fulbright programs as published by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. consulate are currently open:

• The Fulbright Junior Staff Development (JSD) Program for the 2017/2018 academic year.
•    Fulbright Senior Scholar Program for the 2017/2018 academic year.
•  Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) program in Yoruba for the 2017/2018 academic year.

Please visit http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/fulbright_program.html for more information

Or contact:

 Dr B.A. Oldele – benolak8@yahoo.com  || Dr Yetunde Zaid - yetundezaid@gmail.com  

Digital Literacy Training in Nigeria

The Information Technology (IT) Section of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) is holding three streams' Digital Literacy Training for Library and Information Professionals (LIP)  across Eastern, Western  and Northern zones of Nigeria  

The Information Technology section of the Nigerian library Association observed that the extent of involvement of Library and Information professionals in Nigeria in the knowledge and skills acquisition pursuits, is not yet commendable, as a high percentage of Library and Information professionals can only function effectively in a traditional library setting. And the reasons for non-participation in training and skills acquisition programmes have been attributed to inadequate funding and long distance to training locations.  

For this reason, the IT Section of NLA, in offering solution to technology related challenges encountered by Library and Information professionals in Nigeria, is organizing  training Digital Literacy Training  in the East, Western and Northern Zones in Nigeria. 

Stream A

First stream is holding in the eastern zone of Nigeria between March 21-23rd, 2016.   

Venue: Anambra State Library Board, Awka, Anambra State

Registration Fee: N15,000.00

For more information visit the IT Section Website

THE ANNUAL WORKSHOP OF THE NIGERIA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (NLA) LAGOS CHAPTER COMMUNIQUE

THEME: Access to information and knowledge: a new perspective on familiar issues

DATE:     4^TH MARCH – 7^TH MARCH, 2013

VENUE: GRACE HOUSE, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, IWAYA, LAGOS

CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCASION: Barrister P.L. Akeredolu, REGISTRAR, FEDERAL SCHOOL OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

PARTICIPANTS: LIBRARIANS AND INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE LAGOS STATE

The workshop with the theme:  “Access to information and knowledge: a new perspective on familiar issues “ was informed by the need to continually broaden the knowledge of library and information professionals and other stakeholders in the field in order to enhance information service delivery. This theme was carefully chosen not only to underscore the importance of access to information and knowledge environment, but also to explore the current trends in information service delivery.

The workshop provided hands-on experience with the aim of equipping participants with the necessary skills.

Keynote address:  The keynote address was delivered by Rhonda Watson, Public Diplomacy officer, US Consulate General. the thrust  of her address is on self development and  for information professionals to  identify  the areas of needs in their organization and  meet such  information needs  From Rhonda’s address, librarians are to be queens and kings of sources of information and knowledge. But as much as this is imperative, Nigeria is particularly limited by access to the internet because of the low bandwidth.

 ACTIONS

Eminent LIS practitioners  assembled as speakers at the workshop. These are Mr Samuel Eyitayo, IRC Director, U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, Dr (Mrs) Idowu, the University Librarian, Lagos State University, Mr Ukoha Igwe, the University Librarian, National Open University, Ms. Omowunmi Segun, Consultant Librarian and Mr Felix Azubike, Chairperson, information Technology Section, NLA.

Mr Sam Eyitayo highlighted current trends in the library field. He motivated participants to know what is happening globally, bring it down and use with the vision of providing access to knowledge particularly through the use of social media. He enthused that today all areas of librarianship are deeply intertwined with technology, and librarians have no choice than to master the technologies of today, and as new trends come up, learn and re-learn, train and re-train users to move on. Librarians are encouraged to follow the trends, otherwise they go obsolete. Users are part of the society, once librarians develop themselves, it will invariably get down to the society.

Ms Omowunmi Segun’s presentation was on social tagging. She highlighted the   differences between social tagging and controlled vocabulary. Social tagging is a new trend in creating access to knowledge and there are some Integrated Library Systems (ILS) that have platforms for social tagging.

Mr Ukoha Igwe’s presentation focused on driving access to knowledge: action for library in Nigeria. There is an urgent need for libraries to bridge the digital divide by empowering their users through information literacy.

Dr (Mrs) Idowu spoke so much about the need for marketing library services. This can be done through librarians and information professionals creating awareness through different avenues such as use of signs, posters, campaigns, seminars, local bulletins and even social media. She talked so much about branding by showcasing your products and services to users and stakeholders. Overall, she talked about creating a user friendly environment through librarians, but this is only possible through those who have the right attitude. Librarians and information professionals should be efficient, competent, enthusiastic, adapt, be knowledgeable and astute person.

Felix Azubike’s paper was on performing effective web searches in a networked environment. He highlighted the need for librarians to explore the resources on the web in an attempt to facilitate access to information.

Ayo Alonge handled the practical aspect of the workshop by exposing participants to hands on experience on different Google products and services.

Resolution.

1. Information professionals should go for training and workshops to equip themselves.
2. As information professionals, provision of access to information using the various media should be ensured.
3. There is an urgent need for libraries to form consortia and library networks.   The national bodies: National Library of Nigeria, Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) and Nigerian Libraries Association (NLA) should take up this responsibility.
4. Organizations should provide a good working environment as well as infrastructures that will facilitate access to knowledge.
5. Librarians should keep abreast of information to know what is happening and the current trend in their profession and devote time for self development.
6. Information professional should market, brand and re-brand their services.

 Communiqué Committee:

•  Dr (Mrs) Airen Adetimirin -Chairman: 
• Adefunke Olanike Alabi (Mrs)
• Okewumi, Titilayo
• Mr Kakiri Inemoitimi Flint
• Saidi Oluwatoyin. V.
• Ukachi, Ngozi B. (Mrs)