A don, Prof. Lucky Tijani Abdulsalami on Wednesday disclosed that Nigeria must invest in library information service to enlighten users on the relevance of library use and to help users develop skills to acquire information from various sources, and to achieve the objective of the library.
He noted that the library remains the best source of information adding that it enables users pick essential information in the appropriate form deviod of misinformation and others saying Library professionals must beat out competitors to ensure relevance.
Abdulsalami spoke while delivering the 23rd inaugural Lecture of Igbinedion University Okada (IUO) with topic, “Marketing of Library and Information services: The Role of the Library.”
He said in offering information services, library personnel are expected to follow the procedures, mechanism and work flow activities to see that Library philosophy is achieved.
“The Ranganathan theory of librarianship which is mainly user focused, its aim is to see that the right information services are rendered to the right users at a time in order not to waste user’s time and not to render any information service useless, thus, due process should be maintained.”
While noting that modern world is characterized by mechanization and computerization, Abdulsalami, who is the Igbinedion University librarian said every technology advancement has a huge impact on librarianship and library services after its introduction.
He who said library and information technologists though envisioned a paperless society and a future for libraries that is primarily electronic added that libraries are now focusing on providing quick access to information .
“The information superhighway and the internet provide instant access to knowledge from any location at any time. Thus, by utilizing modern technologies, users are now better equipped to seek and pick essential information in the appropriate form.
“There is now a greater need for information in electronic form rather than print form. All of these things are putting pressure on the professionals,” he said.
In his speech, Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University Okada, Prof Lawrence Ezemonye, said the institution has expanded her collaborative research with local and international partners to enhance knowledge production for national and global development.
“We are constantly re-aligning the curricula with market needs through the introduction of digital upskill courses, master classes and infusion of life skills into all our academic programmes, leveraging on industry-academia interface,” Ezemonye said.
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