Goodluck Ifijeh

From Binding to Digitization: Issues in Newspaper Preservation in Nigerian Academic Libraries

This article examines the importance of newspapers to research, education, and economic development for Nigeria and advocates the need to preserve newspapers. The authors discuss critical preservation issues related to newspapers and emphasize the urgent need to address their deteriorating state in Nigerian academic libraries. The article also examines the binding preservation method practiced among academic libraries and observes that the method is not adequate. It recommends that academic libraries in Nigeria should adopt the digitization model for newspaper preservation. The article identifies the digital divide, poor technological infrastructure, inadequate funding, lack of expertise, and copyright prohibitions as challenges of digitization and makes recommendations.

Occupational Health Hazards: Assessing Occurrence and Policies in Nigerian Academic Libraries

This study examines the policies and occurrences of occupational health hazards among library personnel in private universities in the Southwest, Nigeria. A total population of 177 respondents from 15 privately owned universities were used for the study. The research instrument used in the collection of data was a questionnaire. The result of the study shows that most respondents have experienced occupational health hazards. The study also revealed that muscle strain, back aches, eye problems, and respiratory diseases are the most prevalent occupational health hazards experienced by library personnel. The study identified manual handling of library materials, constant exposure of the eyes to computer screens, inhaling of chemicals and dust, as well as long sitting position as the main causes of occupational health hazards among staff. Most respondents indicated that their organizations are not implementing policies on occupational health hazards. Recommendations were made on how to address the various issues raised.

Supporting the fight against terrorism: A proposal for public library services provision for internally displaced persons in North-East Nigeria

ABSTRACT This paper examined the state of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North-East Nigeria, the need to provide education and information services to the IDPs, and the role of libraries. It begins with the remote cause of the displacement. The paper also examined the state of the IDPs in terms of education and information services provision. It reported that the IDPs live in very deplorable conditions. There are no provisions for education and information services. The paper further discussed the importance of education and information to IDPs especially the children, teens, and youths. It recommended the empowerment and involvement of public libraries in the provision of education and information services to IDPs. It alluded that public libraries and librarians are better positioned to provide education and information services to displaced persons. The paper concluded that if necessary logistics and support are provided, libraries and librarians have the capacity to provide effective and efficient education and information services to IDPs and therefore bridge the current gap.

Imperatives and Challenges of Resource Description and Access (RDA) Implementation in Libraries in a Developing Country

ABSTRACT In recent times, information products are becoming more often packaged and repackaged in electronic formats. Cataloguing these resources is a core responsibility of libraries and librarians. A major emerging standardization tool for cataloguing electronic resources is the “resource description and access” (RDA). This article examined the imperatives of RDA implementation among libraries in a developing country—Nigeria. It reviewed global trends and observed the poor RDA implementation level among libraries in Nigeria. It also identified challenges of RDA implementation peculiar to a developing country like Nigeria. The article further outlined strategies that would help to deal with the identified challenges. It concluded that the implementation of RDA is not optional, but mandatory for Nigerian libraries if they must be and remain relevant in the competitive world of librarianship.

Kütüphanecilik ve Enformasyon Biliminde Sahte Yayıncılığın Ortaya Çıkışı: Nijerya’daki Akademik Kütüphaneciler İçin Bilimsel Araştırma İle İlgili Önemli Konular ve Olası Sonuçlar

Predatory publishing is an emerging but worrisome trend among academics including librarians in Nigeria. This paper examines crucial issues and implications of predatory publishing among Nigerian academic librarians. It outlines the characteristics of predatory publishers and journals and their subtle means of enticing unsuspecting authors. The paper discusses the intricate dimensions of predatory publishing and its effects on research and scholarship among librarians. It notes that predatory publishing has devastating effects on the future of research and scholarship. The paper concludes with strategies for intervention and a call on relevant authorities in Nigeria to take proactive steps to curb predatory publishing among faculties especially academic librarians.

Disaster Management in Digital Libraries: Issues and Strategies in Developing Countries

The role of digital libraries in information generation,organization, dissemination and storage cannot be overemphasized. This article articulates the importance of digital libraries and the need to preserve them from disasters. It highlights the causes and effects of disasters in digital libraries. Prevention and management of disasters were also discussed. Issues and challenges around information and communication technology ICT, that has direct bearings on digital libraries and disaster management in developing countries were raised. In addition, recommendations were made on how to improve on disaster prevention and control.