Search results

Discusses the role of the librarian as manager of an academic library. Compares the nature of library management with that of business management and considers the specific factors of academic library management: personnel, facilities and finance. Discusses survival strategies and academic library management in times of economic recession.

Discusses the provision of library services and the use of information technology in developed countries. The situation of library services and information technology in developing countries is then contrasted with that in the developed countries. Discusses and identifies reasons for the gaps between developed and developing countries in information services and information technology.

Observes that many ideas concerning the year 2000 (for example, health, power, water, roads, etc.) in Nigeria are merely glib statements with no real positive back‐up. These include predictions about library provision. Presents a study in which data from ten Nigerian universities were examined and used in comparison with other African and with British universities. Looks at the corresponding availability of each one’s available services, and at how effective in these areas they are. Concludes that the Nigerian systems have a long way yet to go to reach desired levels.

‘To MEET the threat, and to realize the potential, we do not need a doctrine of salvation. We have the weapons we need, our minds. Reasoned analysis, imaginative designing and an experimental approach to action form a rational, or at any rate reasonable, triptych which has always served men well. This is the method of liberty; its substance is defined by the new conditions in which we live today. The new liberty means that we have to change our attitudes in order to pass through the turbulence ahead in a manner which enhances human life‐chances. This is what I mean when I say that the subject of history is changing; and the change in approach is reflected in the words which we use—new words; improvement instead of expansion, good husbandry instead of affluence, human activity instead of work, and of course one word which is quite old, liberty.’—Ralf Dahrendorf (‘The new liberty’, 1975 Reith Lectures)

Discusses problems of and prospects for librarianship in Nigeria, especially in relation to other professions in the country. It begins with the philosophical foundation of man’s place in the universe, and a brief discussion of the evolution of librarianship as a profession. Subsequent problems are traced back to the influence of Melvil Dewey. Analysis proves the validity of librarianship as a profession and its problems in the Nigerian context are discussed. These problems are seen as teething ones, and particularly in relation to the country’s “Vision 2010”, the long term outlook and opportunities are very optimistic. Some recommendations to enhance development of the library profession in Nigeria are presented.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the concept of mentoring of young librarians in South East Nigeria so as to improve their research and scholarly publications.

The study confined its scope to 135 librarians in the five different federal universities in South East Nigeria. In all, 100 (80 percent) of the librarians were sampled. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire which contained 30 items derived from the research questions. The descriptive survey research design was used as research method. Librarians were grouped into young librarians (assistant librarian and librarian II) and higher librarians (librarian I, senior librarian, principal librarian, deputy university librarian and university librarian); for a comprehensive analysis of the study.

The findings of the study among others reveals that young librarians are a bit knowledgeable and conversant about the term “mentoring” but not equitable when compared to that of other higher librarians in matters of scholarly publication. Also there is evidence of mentoring in place in these libraries for boosting the research prowess of librarians, but in an informal form. The librarians believed that most times the mentee’s inability to open up during interaction, and unconstructive criticisms from mentors to their mentees; are serious challenges to successful mentoring for improved scholarly publications.

Research studies focusing on mentoring young librarians on research and scholarly publications in Nigeria, are rare. Furthermore, librarians are not conversant with the concept of mentoring and which mentoring practices and programs are currently in place in their libraries to boost their research prowess. Also, adopting a mentor and what to expect from both mentors and mentees concerning research publications are salient areas explored in the work. This study will raise important issues that relate to research publications of both librarians and other academic researchers especially in this research impact-factor driven world of ours.