E‐library services: challenges and training needs of librarians in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose -The aim of the paper is to investigate the achievements of librarians from the workshop on e-library services organized by the Librarians' Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) in collaboration with The United States Mission, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach -In total, 35 librarians purposively selected from universities, colleges of education, and polytechnic libraries participated in the study, which adopted semi-structured interviews. Findings -It emerged that librarians who participated in the workshop have been exposed to skills in areas such as database searching, using different search engines, using social media, knowledge of relevant websites, and knowledge of planning for e-libraries. The participants are of the opinion that a workshop of this kind should be organized at least twice a year to upgrade librarians' skills on e-library services in Nigeria. Practical implications -Library associations in other developing countries can also partner with professionals from developed countries to organize workshops and seminars like this to equip librarians with the necessary skills to render e-library services effectively and also to train users to use e-resources effectively. Originality/value -The paper reports skills the librarians have been exposed to through the workshop on e-library services. Acquiring such skills will enable them effectively to use e-resources and also train users on different search strategies.

Availability of Electronic Libraries in Universities in Rivers State, Nigeria

“…The findings are confirmed by Mulla (2011) that students make good use of the internet and take guidance from the library staff regarding the use of electronic resources. Librarian undergoes training which is in agreement with the findings of Baro and Eze (2013) that librarians who participated in the workshop were exposed to new skills in the use of database searching, using different search engines. On the contrary Ganiyu, Airen and Oluwafemi (2014) found out that students experience lack of assistance from librarian staff, also they lack ICT skills which stand as barrier to the use of the e-library.…”

“…According to Suber (2005) copyright law should be attached to online materials to enable users understand the risks involved. Baro and Eze (2013) opined that most e-libraries are short of IT experts. Several studies have proved that most elibrary centres are ran with little or no IT personnel (Baro, 2010, Baro, 2011Oketunji, 2001&Abdulsalami, 2012.…”

Colleges of Education Librarians in Nigeria: An Investigation into the Self-Perception of ICT-Related Information Literacy Skills

“…Baro (2011) conducted a study on IL education in library schools in Africa to ascertain whether librarianship is taking the leading role in the development of IL in African universities; this work revealed that only a few library schools have successfully integrated a stand-alone IL course in their curriculum. Baro, Eze, and Nkanu (2013) helped to offset some of the personnel shortages in their libraries. Emphasizing the need for librarians in Nigerian universities to provide IL programs for students, Idiodi (2005) stated that training would impart skills and lead to the effective and efficient use of libraries and a better overall educational achievement.…”

Bachelor of Education Teacher Trainees’ Information Evaluating Ability and Utilization of E-resources at the University of Nairobi, Kenya

“…Quality information refer to articles that are relevant, accurate, current and authoritative. Similarly, the study has affirmed that use of e-resources is inhibited by learners' inadequate skills and knowledge in search, retrieval and evaluation of information [19]. This implied that learners with inadequate evaluating skills utilize information retrieved from online resources without scrutinizing the sources for quality.…”