Knowledge Sharing among Librarians in Federal University Libraries in Nigeria

The paper examined knowledge sharing among librarians in federal universities in Nigeria. Eighteen (18) federal university libraries were selected and all 412 librarians in these libraries constituted the sample size. Out of 412 copies of questionnaire administered, 362 copies were found usable representing 87.9% response rate. The study reveals that librarians in federal university libraries in Nigeria had positive perception about knowledge sharing but averagely share knowledge. Majority of the respondents 140 (38.6%) shared knowledge through verbal discussion while 90 (24.9%) shared knowledge during staff meeting and the least respondents 10 (2.8%) shared knowledge through community of practice. There were no incentives given to those who share knowledge hence; the level of knowledge sharing was low among them. Recommendations are made to improve knowledge sharing among librarians in the university libraries. Keywords: Knowledge sharing, Librarians, University, Libraries, Nigeria.

Staff Development Policy in University Libraries in Nigeria: A Reality or Mirage?

Staff development policy is key to enhancing as well as sustaining the capacities and skills of library staff for the provision of effective services and personal  development in the digital era. This study therefore, examined the staff training policies operating in federal university libraries in Southwest Nigeria. The study purposively selected 4 federal universities in the South-West, Nigeria. The total population for the study was 163 library personnel. The study adopted a descriptive survey design while a questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. Total enumeration technique was adopted to ensure robust participation of library personnel, while one hundred and twenty-nine (129) library personnel filled and returned the questionnaire. Findings revealed that all the libraries operated both written and unwritten policies, few respondents across all the universities had access to the written policies (42.6%) and at least 60% in each university adjudged the policies as unfavourable to them. Less than half of the respondents were sponsored by their universities, the policies in place did not assist in the development of a majority of the library personnel into modern-day library staff (written 70%; unwritten 74.7%). There was a positive correlation (r= 0.257; p<0.03) between staff development policy and staff development programmes attended by the library staff. The study recommended that university libraries should ensure that appropriate staff training policies are put in place. Furthermore, enough funds should be made available for capacity building of staff to enable them to function effectively in this digital age

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Perceptions and attitude of students in relation to vandalism in a University Library

146-149Reports a study carried out at the University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria in November, 2009 to find out students’ perceptions and attitudes to vandalism in the library. To elicit the necessary information, a questionnaire was distributed to 500 randomly selected students of the University spread across the nine colleges out of which 386 responded. Analysis of their responses showed that vandalism of library materials in the form of theft, mutilation and hiding of books and journals, is largely regarded as a form of academic self-survival strategy that is hardly frowned at by majority of the respondents. Factors that predispose to vandalism include limited library collections; restrictions in the use of some materials; number and duration of loans; insufficient number of copies of recommended textbooks; unaffordable cost of personal textbooks; high cost of photocopying as well as peer-influence. Recommendations are made for liberalization of loans, intensification of user education, provision of multiple copies of standard textbooks, occasional mounting of conscience exhibitions’ as well as tighter security measures

Career Progression of Librarians in Nigeria and Ghana Universities

The study examines the career structure of librarians in Nigeria and Ghana Universities. It compares the criteria used in the employment and other components of career progression. Questionnaire and interview were used as instruments of data collection. 50 copies of the questionnaire were administered through the postal service, online mail and personally in international conferences. A purposeful sampling technique was used to select the sample.30 heads of university libraries participated in Nigeria and 20 heads of libraries participated from Ghana. The data were analysed through SPSS and the frequency count and percentage were used for the result. The study reveals that the career structure of librarians in Nigeria and Ghana universities was similar but not the same and that librarians in the two countries are highly educated. Recommendations were also made to improve their status.Key words: Career, Career structure, University libraries, Nigeria, Ghana

AWARENESS AND USE OF BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATABASE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN FEDERALUNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, ABEOKUTA [FUNAAB]

Awareness is core to usage of bibliographic database by students. In spite of the value derived from use of bibliography database which serves as skills for any academic research work. It is observed that there is low level of awareness and use of these databases that powered electronic learning among undergraduate and postgraduate students. This study examined awareness and use of bibliographic database among undergraduate and postgraduate students in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta [FUNAAB]. The study adopted survey research design with use of structured questionnaire. Convenient sampling technique was used to select nine colleges for the study, 495 respondents were selected, 393 questionnaires were duly completed and found useful, representing 79.4%. Frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the data. Result revealed that students were aware of the various bibliographic databases available through library orientation, course-mate and librarians. The most used bibliographic databases were online public access cataloguing, EBSCOHOST and SCIENCEDIRECT. Furthermore, major purpose for using bibliographic database was for assignment, to update users’ knowledge. Most frequently used bibliographic were Online Public Access Catalogues (OPAC), AGORA, and TEEAL. Challenges encountered when using the bibliographic databases were poor connectivity and system failure. Students were satisfied with the following databases: TEEAL, AGORA, OPAC and EBSCOHOST. However the study recommends that library management should organised various means of creating awareness such as talk, creating mobile library app, contacting students through social media