Funding issues and development of digital libraries in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose

Funding issues is observed to be the major stumbling block for the development of digital libraries in Nigeria. Hence, this paper aims to explore issues in obtaining and allocating funds for digital library development.

Design/methodology/approach

The review is an explorative report of the state of affairs of digital library development in Nigeria with the associated fundraising issues.

Findings

Digital library initiatives are coincidental development with transformational change in the technology-driven world of global information distribution. The desire of the information users to have better-unrestricted access to information becomes the hallmark of digital content development and web-based information services. The goal of making information accessible globally to large and diverse information users was achievable with the development of a digital library that provides enhanced information services, improves access and usability of digital information resources.

Originality/value

The library of the future has already materialized in form of digital library services, but the cost of developing a digital library is not foreseeable cheap, and if Nigerian libraries are to achieve digital library service goal, alternative sources of finance need to be sought after through fundraising scheme from friends of the library, rental services, consultation fees and collaboration effort on library consortia as well as advocacy for open access initiatives.

Citation

Abdussalam, T.A.B., Adewara, J.O., Abdulraheem, J.W., Oyedokun, T.T. and Balogun, T.R. (2021), "Funding issues and development of digital libraries in Nigeria", Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 38 No. 9, pp. 23-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-10-2021-0067