Marketing of Library and Information Services in Nigerian University Libraries: An Entrepreneurial Perspective

This paper discussed the marketing of library and information services vis-à-vis entrepreneurial activities in the library with particular reference to the academic libraries. The information age, which revolutionized all human activities including the library and information services and also the ICT incursion made marketing of library and information services and the inclusion of entrepreneurial activities necessary if librarianship must thrive among its competitors in the business of human management and provision. Marketing concepts, with particular reference to the 7Ps in “marketing mix” are highlighted. The paper worked on secondary data using the Narrative Textual Case Study (NTCS) and some discussions with professional colleagues in the field of librarianship to draw some valid conclusions

LIBRARY RESOURCES ACCESSIBILITY AND ICT ADEPTNESS: CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OTUOKE LIBRARY.

Information needs arise when an individual finds himself in a problem situation, when he or she no longer can manage with the knowledge that he or she possess. Library patrons repeatedly find themselves in situations where information is needed, sought and gathered, organized, retrieved, processed, evaluated, and used. The objectives of this study are to examine the information requirements of students and researchers in Federal University Otuoke, to asses both human and material resources in the library; to determine the level at which the library satisfies the information needs of the users; and to find out best way(s) to meet these information needs of patrons in this ICT age. A Total of (250) library users from different departments and faculties were used as sample. Data were collected through a 20 item questionnaire which was developed based on objectives adopted. 220 dully completed questionnaires were returned in good condition. Data collected were analyzed using frequencies and percentages of responses. The findings revealed that the library patrons are more interested in the information related to, teaching, learning and research activities. The outcome of the research also revealed that the attitudes of the respondents were favorable in the use of library resources but there is the need for improvement in such areas as library services and provision of adequate space for readers. It was found out that majority of the respondents sought information from journals, textbooks, reference books than other library materials. Major obstacles faced by patrons while seeking information included lack of resource sharing facilities and equipments, lack/inadequate ICT skills

Catalytic mechanism of the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene over Fe-Co/Mg(Al)O derived from hydrotalcites

Catalytic mechanism of ethylbenzene dehydrogenation over Fe-Co/Mg(Al)O derived from hydrotalcites has been studied based on the XAFS and XPS catalyst characterization and the FTIR measurements of adsorbed species. Fe-Co/Mg(Al)O showed synergy, whereas Fe-Ni/Mg(Al)O showed no synergy, in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene. Ni species were stably incorporated as Ni(2+) in the regular sites in periclase and spinel structure in the Fe-Ni/Mg(Al)O. Contrarily, Co species exists as a mixture of Co(3+)/Co(2+) in the Fe-Co/Mg(Al)O and was partially isolated from the regular sites in the structures with increasing the Co content. Co addition enhanced Lewis acidity of Fe(3+) active sites by forming Fe(3+)-O-Co(3+/2+)(1/1) bond, resulting in an increase in the activity. FTIR of ethylbenzene adsorbed on the Fe-Co/Mg(Al)O clearly showed formations of C-O bond and pi-adsorbed aromatic ring. This suggests that ethylbenzene was strongly adsorbed on the Fe(3+) acid sites via pi-bonding and the dehydrogenation was initiated by alpha-H(+) abstraction from ethyl group on Mg(2+)-O(2-) basic sites, followed by C-O-Mg bond formation. The alpha-H(+) abstraction by O(2-)(-Mg(2+)) was likely followed by beta-H abstraction, leading to the formations of styrene and H(2). Such catalytic mechanism by the Fe(3+) acid-O(2-)(-Mg(2+)) base couple and the Fe(3+)/Fe(2+) reduction-oxidation cycle was further assisted by Co(3+)/Co(2+), leading to a good catalytic activity for the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene

Assessment of Motivation Factors on Librarians’ Job Performance in Federal University Otuoke and Lagos State University Libraries of Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the relationship that exists between motivational factors (remuneration, work environment, promotion and training) on librarian’s job performance in federal university otuoke and Lagos state university libraries. To achieve the objective, research question with corresponding hypothesis was formulated to give direction to the study. The correlation research design was used for the study. The population of the study consisted of 18 librarians drawn from federal university otuoke and 18 librarians from Lagos state university libraries. 36 librarians used for the study, and no sample size due to the small population. Data was collected using researcher’s developed instruments titled ‘Motivational Factors and Librarian’s Job Performance Questionnaire’ (MFLSJPQ). The instrument was found reliable with a reliability coefficient of .714 using Multiple Regression Coefficients. Data collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient to answer the research question while Multiple Regression Coefficient was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings from the data analysis showed that the motivational factors being (remuneration, work environment, promotion and training) have significant influence on librarians’ job performances in federal university otuoke and Lagos state university libraries. Upon the findings, it was concluded that remuneration, work environment, promotion and training determine the relationship that exists between motivational factors and Librarian’s Job Performance in federal university otuoke and Lagos state university libraries. Consequently, it is recommended that Governments and parent institutions should provide good salary packages and additional incentives in order to motivate librarians to be committed and dedicated to their required duties. Also, government should provide librarians with adequate remuneration, conducive work environment and regular promotions as well as in-service-training, they will be committed and dedicated to their duties effectively and efficiently, and this would elicit higher productivity from them

UTILIZATION OF ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOGUE (OPAC) AMONG LIBRARY USERS IN SOME SELECTED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN LAGOS STATE

This paper is aimed at presenting the results of a survey conducted to determine the utilization of online public access catalogue (OPAC) among library users in some selected tertiary institutions in Lagos State. Five objectives was design for the study which are awareness, the frequency of use, the purpose of use, method of search and challenges of using OPAC. Total 420 questionnaires were selected for the study out of the 448 filled questionnaires received. The data received from the respondents is analyzed using simple percentage approach. The findings of the study revealed that OPAC usage rate is quite low among the library users in some selected tertiary institutions in Lagos State. The majority of the respondents indicated that they were moderately successful in locating documents through OPAC. It is also found that most of the users are unaware of the all the facility available in the OPAC and encounter problem while searching. Some of the problems observed from the study includes: difficulty in query formation, maximum time search failure, no scope for spelling correction, inadequate instruction in the OPAC software, OPAC not functioning properly and lack of proper guidance from the library staff. Hence, the study suggested that improvement of OPAC functionality is the urgent need for the effective and proper utilization of OPAC

Thermocatalytic cleavage of C-C and C-O bonds in model compounds and kraft lignin by NiMoS2/C nanocatalysts

The effective utilization of biomass derived lignin as a source of chemicals and fuels involves chemical transformation such as depolymerization and deoxygenation reactions. Since lignin macromolecules are predominantly made up of both C-C and C-O bond linkages, the simultaneous cleavage of these linkages requires the design of a highly efficient catalytic system. Therefore, this paper reports an innovative technique for preparing NiMoS2 nanoparticles as an upgrading catalyst for lignin via a hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) route. The key aspect of this strategy is to produce single layered, short MoS2 slabs (∼4 nm) that possess increasingly exposed edge active sites in contrast to the bulk MoS2 materials. A microemulsion synthesis technique was utilized to prepare the NiMoS2 nanocatalyst, which was dispersed on an activated carbon support giving a weak metal-support interaction that facilitated a "metal-like character" of the catalyst as well as the formation of type-II NiMo phases. Initial catalyst screening for the HDO of lignin phenolic model compounds (phenol, guaiacol, veratrole and syringol) showed that partial deoxygenation accompanied by hydrogenation was the favoured reaction pathway. Moreover, rapid cleavage of C-C and C-O bonds of recalcitrant α-O-4, β-O-4 and 4-O-5 linkages was achieved in a relatively short reaction time (i.e. 2 layers and high stacking (up to 7 layers) and as a result, leached sulphur and coke formed were minimized. Thus, synthesising amorphous NiMoS2/C nanocatalysts by the microemulsion technique represents a promising alternative for designing cheap and efficient catalysts for lignin upgrading.</p

Recent Progress on Catalyst Development for CO2 Conversion into Value-Added Chemicals by Photo- and Electroreduction

Carbon dioxide emissions, primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels, have risen dramatically since the start of the industrial revolution. CO2 contributes to the greenhouse gas emission. At the same time, the current thermo-catalytic conversion processes are highly energy intensive. This review focuses on catalytic CO2 valorization utilizing renewable solar power and sustainable electrochemical activation techniques. Focus is placed on the most recent reports on materials design for both the photo- and electroreduction processes of CO2 conversion in generating energy carrier chemicals and renewable fuels.</p

Kinetic modeling of ethylbenzene dehydrogenation over hydrotalcite catalysts

Kinetics of ethylbenzene dehydrogenation to styrene was investigated over a series of quaternary mixed oxides of Mg3Fe0.25Me0.25Al0.5 (Me=Co, Mn and Ni) catalysts prepared by calcination of hydrotalcite-like compounds and compared with commercial catalyst. The study was carried out in the absence of steam using a riser simulator at 400, 450, 500 and 550°C for reaction times of 5, 10, 15 and 20s. Mg3Fe0.25Mn0.25Al0.5 afforded the highest ethylbenzene conversion of 19.7% at 550°C. Kinetic parameters for the dehydrogenation process were determined using the catalyst deactivation function based on reactant conversion model. The apparent activation energies for styrene production were found to decrease as follows: E1-Ni>E1-Co>E1-Mn.</p

Phenomenological-based kinetics modelling of dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene over a Mg3Fe0.25Mn0.25Al0.5 hydrotalcite catalyst

This communication reports a mechanism-based kinetics modelling for the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene (ST) using Mg3Fe0.25Mn0.25Al0.5 catalyst. Physicochemical characterisation of the catalyst indicates that the presence of basic sites Mg2+O2- on the catalysts along with Fe3+ is responsible for the catalytic activity. The kinetics experiments are developed using a CREC Fluidised Riser Simulator. Based on the experimental observations and the possible mechanism of the various elementary steps, Langmuir-Hinshelwood type kinetics model are developed. To take into account of the possible catalyst deactivation a reactant conversion-based deactivation function is also introduced into the model. Parameters are estimated by fitting of the experimental data implemented in MATLAB. Results show that one site type Langmuir-Hinshelwood model appropriately describes the experimental data, with adequate statistical fitting indicators and also satisfied the thermodynamic restraints. The estimated heat of adsorptions of EB (64kJ/mole) is comparable to the values available in the literature. The activation energy for the formation of ST (85.5kJ/mole) found to be significantly lower than that of the cracking product benzene (136.6kJ/mole). These results are highly desirable in order to achieve high selectivity of the desired product ST.</p