Open Educational Resources (OER) In Nigerian Universities: Promotion And Awareness Opportunities For Academic Libraries For A Path To Higher Education Success

Cost of scholarly and educational publications has escalated and necessitates the shift from teaching, learning and research materials that are not easily accessed because of restrictive copyright laws and high cost to an opportunity of using the World Wide Web which helps institutions, students and faculty members meet equity of access missions, a platform for everyone to share, use and reuse teaching and learning materials with the resultant effect of increasing both student and faculty member achievement and educational goals. The study investigated promotion and awareness opportunities for academic libraries on the imperativeness using Open Educational Resources (OER) in Nigerian universities for teaching, learning and research. The study employed descriptive survey design method. The population of the study was one hundred and thirteen (113) obtained from three (3) university libraries in the South East, Nigeria, one hundred and ten questionnaires were completed and returned which represented 91% return rate. The research instruments used were structured questionnaire and oral interview schedule. Descriptive statistical techniques such as percentages, mean score, significant mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the data. Some of the findings that academic libraries should imbibe outreach skills, subject based guides, seminars and workshops to create awareness for OER, librarians should play advisory roles to faculties by integration of OER in their courses, offer advice to institutions, academic staff and students. The study recommended among others that academic libraries should mount aggressive awareness campaign and advocacy for increase use of OER to enhance teaching, learning and research

Analysis of Entrepreneurship Courses of Library and Information Science Schools in South-East Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria

The study carried out an analysis of entrepreneurship courses of library and information science education in South-East Geo-political zone of Nigeria, the LIS schools in South-East Nigeria where LIS entrepreneurship courses are available and taught. These LIS business related courses are intended to equip LIS students with the necessary skills to be job and wealth creators upon graduation. The population comprised of 300 and 400 level students of library and information science students from five LIS schools in South-East Nigeria and a total of 1041 copies of questionnaire were distributes with a return rate of 735. Data collected were analysed using bar chart, tables and percentages. Findings from the study revealed the different entrepreneurial courses available and taught by LIS schools in South East Geo-political Zone to LIS undergraduates for job creation and self-reliant. However, LIS curriculum should be that which ensures equality and uniformity especially in its business related courses with the resultant effect of having Nigerian graduates who can confidently, creatively and innovatively contribute to the economic development of Nigeria. It was also recommended that Stakeholders in the educational sector, National Association of Library and Information Science Educators (NALISE) and Heads of LIS Departments to create forum where curriculum for LIS entrepreneurship education are harmonized for maximum and holistic achievement of the objectives

THE LIBRARIAN IN THE DIGITAL AGE: A PREFERRED NOMENCLATURE, PERCEPTIONS OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIANS IN IMO STATE NIGERIA.

Nomenclature is a system of names or terms or the rules for forming these terms in a particular field of arts or sciences. It has a far-reaching impact on the mind. It also defines the status of positions. Therefore changes in librarians’ professional identity as a result of increased use of new technology in the performance of their routine chores seem, however, inevitable. Such application generates changes in the context of their work and ultimately necessitates changes in professional identity.This article explored various changing roles of the librarian in this digital age. It also identified the nomenclatures professional librarians in Imo State would prefer to be identified with and also gave some reasons they would favor such nomenclature. Descriptive survey research method was employed to investigate a total population of 68 professional librarians in Imo State. The structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the research out of which 57 representing 83.8% were duly filled and returned for analysis. Findings revealed that professional librarians in Imo State would want a change in nomenclature. The study also identified some of the nomenclatures they would prefer. It discovered that librarian, Information manager, information scientist and information professional are some of the nomenclatures they prefer. Finally, they gave reasons on why they prefer such nomenclatures

The role of digitization on data protection and recovery in libraries: an international perspective

This study investigated the role of digitization on data protection and recovery in different types of libraries at a global level. The survey research design was adopted to elicit data for this research work. Four different types of libraries were purposively chosen from thirteen countries and questionnaire was designed as instrument for data collection. Data were analyzed using tables, charts and percentages. The findings of the study revealed that the level of awareness of data loss by library professionals was low as 65% have not experienced and were yet to know about data loss. Man made and natural disasters lead to loss of information resources and digital data which digitization, backup and cloud storage of digital information resources and data curbs. The findings further revealed that a greater percentage of the respondents do not perceive the role digitization play in data protection and recovery. This study recommends that: library professionals should be sensitized that loss of information resources and digital data due to disasters is something that happens to any library without warning; that keep safe a copy to handle disaster/damage is best taken care of by digitization, that libraries should store their electronic information resources in the cloud and carry out backup measures frequently.Keywords: Digitization, Data, Protection, Recovery, Librar

THE LIBRARIAN IN THE DIGITAL AGE: A PREFERRED NOMENCLATURE, PERCEPTIONS OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIANS IN IMO STATE NIGERIA.

Nomenclature is a system of names or terms or the rules for forming these terms in a particular field of arts or sciences. It has a far-reaching impact on the mind. It also defines the status of positions. Therefore changes in librarians’ professional identity as a result of increased use of new technology in the performance of their routine chores seem, however, inevitable. Such application generates changes in the context of their work and ultimately necessitates changes in professional identity.This article explored various changing roles of the librarian in this digital age. It also identified the nomenclatures professional librarians in Imo State would prefer to be identified with and also gave some reasons they would favor such nomenclature. Descriptive survey research method was employed to investigate a total population of 68 professional librarians in Imo State. The structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the research out of which 57 representing 83.8% were duly filled and returned for analysis. Findings revealed that professional librarians in Imo State would want a change in nomenclature. The study also identified some of the nomenclatures they would prefer. It discovered that librarian, Information manager, information scientist and information professional are some of the nomenclatures they prefer. Finally, they gave reasons on why they prefer such nomenclatures

Analysis of Entrepreneurship Courses of Library and Information Science Schools in South-East Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria

The study carried out an analysis of entrepreneurship courses of library and information science education in South-East Geo-political zone of Nigeria, the LIS schools in South-East Nigeria where LIS entrepreneurship courses are available and taught. These LIS business related courses are intended to equip LIS students with the necessary skills to be job and wealth creators upon graduation. The population comprised of 300 and 400 level students of library and information science students from five LIS schools in South-East Nigeria and a total of 1041 copies of questionnaire were distributes with a return rate of 735. Data collected were analysed using bar chart, tables and percentages. Findings from the study revealed the different entrepreneurial courses available and taught by LIS schools in South East Geo-political Zone to LIS undergraduates for job creation and self-reliant. However, LIS curriculum should be that which ensures equality and uniformity especially in its business related courses with the resultant effect of having Nigerian graduates who can confidently, creatively and innovatively contribute to the economic development of Nigeria. It was also recommended that Stakeholders in the educational sector, National Association of Library and Information Science Educators (NALISE) and Heads of LIS Departments to create forum where curriculum for LIS entrepreneurship education are harmonized for maximum and holistic achievement of the objectives