ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ELECTRONIC RESOURCES ON PRODUCTIVITY OF ACADEMIC STAFF OF COVENANT UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA.

Electronic resources have changed the operations of academic libraries. Covenant University has the goal of enhancing the frontiers of knowledge through teaching and research. The study sought to determine the impact of Electronic Resources on academic productivity. It was discovered that regular users of electronic resource have higher academic productivity than non-regular users of electronic resources. Also noteworthy is the high demand for electronic resources by the junior academics more than the senior

Case Study Of Ergonomics Awareness Among Library Staff Of Two Universities In South-Western Nigeria

The study examined ergonomics awareness among library staff of two universities in south-westem Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to investigate the level of awareness of ergonomics by the library staff, find out if they experience ergonomic symptoms and ascertain if there exist ergonomic education and other measures to ensure healthy and productive workforce. The respondents consisted of librarians, paraprofessionals, administrative staff and secretaries. A total number of 73 out of 94 library staff responded to the questionnaire giving a response rate of 77. 7%

Library Exhibition: A Veritable tool for Promoting Collections and Services in Nigerian Libraries

This study investigated exhibition practices and challenges militating against it in Nigerian libraries. The study employed case study approach and 29 libraries were represented. Data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire which was administered at Nigeria Library Association (NLA) Cataloguing, Indexing and Classification Section workshop held in Makurdi, Benue State in year 2013, and method of data analysis was simple percentages. The study revealed that majority of Nigerian libraries (62.1%) were currently involved in exhibition and displays, 69% of libraries hold only physical exhibition, 45% frequently hold exhibitions between 3–6 months while others (58.6%) lasted between 1–4 weeks. The purpose of exhibition include: education, awareness, increased sense of aesthetic and promotion of available resources. Lack of exhibition policy (96.6%), lack of display equipment (93.1%), lack of formal training 86.2%, and inadequate resources – money, space (82.8%) were identified as inhibitors to library exhibition and displays in Nigeria. Physical exhibition and display is predominant. There is a need to explore the use of electronic resources, social networking sites and the Internet for online exhibition. The management of Nigerian libraries should provide exhibition guidelines, display equipment and materials needed for mounting exhibition, training for exhibit librarians and library schools should incorporate exhibition into the curriculum

THE ROLE OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: ISSUES AND STRATEGIES

Academic libraries are institutions that are trustworthy knowledge providers. With the proliferation of information, academic libraries can help the communities develop. This study is a social survey research aimed at proffering solutions to the gap experienced between the academic communities, and that of their immediate surroundings. The data for the study were collected through the use of questionnaire and interview methods. The questionnaire was administered to academic librarians with higher qualifications in five higher institutions around Lagos and Ogun States. However from this research finding, it can be observed that the libraries have not had much impact on the towns/communities where the academic libraries had been established. Only the staff and students and the university community have been impacted immensely. Recommendations are for Academic libraries to organize programmes that will sanitize the communities to get users aware of the importance of libraries

Newspaper Coverage of Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic in Nigeria: Implications for Prevention and Control

Ebola virus disease (otherwise referred to as EVD) broke out in Nigeria in July, 2014. The epidemic which raged on for nearly three months, came to an end with the World Health Organization declaring Nigeria Ebola free in October, 2014. This study analyzed newspaper coverage of the epidemic during the period. It examined the nature and extent of coverage of EVD in three widely circulated newspapers in Nigeria. Between July, 2014 and October, 2014, 1118 articles about EVD in The Guardian, The Punch, and Vanguard newspapers were indentified and analyzed. The study revealed that the most common EVD theme covered by newspaper articles within the period was Government/ Institutional measures and response (271 articles), followed by cases of EVD in Nigeria (270 articles). Most importantly, the study observed that newspaper coverage of the EVD epidemic had implications for prevention and control, as portrayed by the commendations of individuals, corporate bodies and the Government

Use of Social Networking Sites for Academic Research and Collaboration: A Survey of Covenant University Academic Staff

This study focuses on Use of Social Networking Sites for Academic Research and Collaboration: A Survey of Covenant University Academic Staff. Social Networking Sites makes research and collaboration with other academics in other parts of the world very easy. The purpose of this study is to find out if Covenant University academic staff has accounts with any of these sites and to find out if they use such platforms as avenues to collaborate or share academic research with their counterparts in other parts of the world. The study finds out that majority of the academic staff are familiar and have accounts with different social networking sites. It was also found out that the academic staff uses these sites for academic research although just a few use it for collaboration with other academic colleagues. The paper concludes that using Social Networking Sites should be seen as a non negotiable avenue for research and collaboration with other academics in other parts of the world

Nigerian Libraries and Information Literacy in the 21St Century: How Far, So Far?

The study examined the status of information literacy in Nigerian libraries by surveying librarians who subscribed to the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) online forum. Seventy three librarians responded to the multi-item, self-developed questionnaire designed for the study. The survey revealed that information literacy was still at the formative stage and that it was more commonly taught in academic libraries than in other types of libraries. Similarly, the study discovered that information literacy was not regularly implemented in the libraries. Stemming from the findings of the study, recommendations were suggested to improve the status of the programme in Nigerian libraries

USE OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS BY POST GRADUATE STUDENTS IN SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA

Secial collections are usually library materials selected.for specific purposes to meet specific needs. They are rare books and manuscripts which provide resources for the increasing needs of the research con11nunity in an academic or research institution. The study covers three universities in South-west Nigeria. 7hese universities are Lagos State University (LASU), Bowen University, fll'o, and Covenant university, Ota. One hundred and ninety-three respondents were sampled(or this study The descriptive si/ITey and stratified random sampling method was adopted.for this study. A structured questionnoire l1"US used to gather data .from the respondents. Data were analysed in tables using simple percentages and 111eun. The study showed that there is a high level o{utilization of special collections in the selected universities. The respondents, howeve1; pointed out poor bibliographic details of these special co/lee lions as a major hindrance to their easy accessibility and retrieval

Nigerian university libraries and the question of marketing: reconciling the salient issues

This paper makes a case for marketing library and information services in Nigerian University Libraries. It examines the practice and problems of marketing library and information services in Nigerian Universities as well as chart the way forward in dealing with identified problems. It further posits that if carefully planned and executed, marketing could help the library improve on its public perception and win more readerships

The Role of the School Library in Empowering Visually Impaired Children With Lifelong Information Literacy Skills

Libraries provide the platform on which successful education systems are built through the provision of access to information. The ability to provide equal and nondiscriminatory access to library resources and services is the hallmark of modern librarianship. School libraries must be prepared to serve children with specific disabilities, such as visually impaired students who will need special types of technology and other specialized services. This preparation is even more important with the push for inclusion and the corresponding increase in children with disabilities attending regular (vs. specialized) schools and utilizing the school library resources. Thus, this chapter examines the role of school libraries in empowering visually impaired children with lifelong information literacy skills as a part of inclusive education