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

SOCIAL MEDIA AND UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION ON CONTAGIOUS DISEASES: THE CASE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS OF ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL ABA

This research examines social media and utilization of information on contagious diseases by medical students of Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba. The research adopts survey design to investigate a sample of 321 medical students of ABSU Teaching Hospital who were registered undergraduates in the 2017/2018 academic session. Because the number of the students was adequate and manageable, the research adopted the census sampling technique. Structured and validated questionnaire with a reliability coefficient value of 0.81 was used to gather data for the study. Results reveal that the medical students received and made use of information on contagious diseases from six social media platforms covering causes, pattern of spread, type of people affected, effects, drug administration and strategy to avoid infection. Economic, social, infrastructural and environmental challenges impeded receipt and use of information by the students. Provision of functional computer sets with adequate cyber network in the hospital library is one of the recommendations that could ameliorate the challenges. The paper concludes that since receipt and utilization of information on contagious diseases is quick and accurate through social media platforms, quality internet services should be sustained in the medical library

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

Library Internet Use and Demographic Characteristics of Undergraduates in a Nigerian University: Uncovering the Areas of Need.

This study investigated undergraduates of Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria to ascertain whether their demographic profile was a characteristic of library internet usage. Data used for the study was a textual analysis of statistic register on library internet use from May 2017 – June 2018. The study population consisted of 2682 valid name entries during the period under study. Findings revealed that FUTO has greater number of male undergraduates and this is due to the academic structure of the institution.  Discipline wise demographic characteristics showed that undergraduates from Agricultural Economics made most use of the library internet in School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) while those in department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) were the most users in School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET). Also, undergraduates from Information Management Technology (IMT) and Project Management Technology (PMT) used the internet most in School of Management Technology (SMAT) while those in Biotechnology (BIO) were the most users in School of Biological Sciences (SOBS). Further findings revealed that undergraduates from Surveying and Geoinformatics (SVG) were the most library internet users in School of Environmental Technology (SOET) while Biomedical Technology undergraduates (BMT) made use of the internet more than their counterparts in the School of Health Technology (SOHT). Similarly, Computer Science (CSC) students used the internet most in School of Physical Sciences (SOPS). On the overall faculty level, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET) made most use of the library internet than other Schools. In terms of study level, it was revealed that final year (500 level) students used the library internet most. Having uncovered the disparity in library internet use, the study recommends among others that embedded librarians in FUTO should promote library operations and services through constant connection and communication with their various departments, continuous marketing and awareness creation of the library’s internet facility. Keywords: Academic library, Internet, Demographic characteristics, FUTO, Undergraduates, Nigerian University, Schools. DOI: 10.7176/IKM/10-2-08 Publication date: March 31st 202

TOWARDS EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN NIGERIA: THE ACADEMIC LIBRARY PERSPECTIVE.

Since the adoption of the sustainable development goals, Nigeria has continued to demonstrate its commitment to the SDGs promise through leadership and ownership of the implementation process. Despite the government continued demonstration and commitment to the SDGs promises, it is observed that these goals have not had any desirable impact or effect on the rural communities as poverty level is still high, health condition and over all well-being is poor and mortality rate is on the increase not to mention the number of out of school children. To forestall the deterioration that would accrue from non-realization of the SDGs in rural communities, this paper explored Nigerian academic libraries as an alternative to delivering Sustainable Development Goals to rural communities. It discussed the potential of academic libraries in Nigeria towards delivering Sustainable Development Goals to the rural communities since some of the libraries are situated in the rural areas. Academic librarians from two academic libraries in Imo State were used for the study. Descriptive survey research method was adopted to investigate a total population of 45 Academic librarians while structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the research out of which 31 were duly filled and returned for analysis. Findings shows that academic libraries possess some potentials in delivering sustainable development goals to the rural communities. It also listed some strategies that will help in actualizing this programme to include organizing sensitization campaign on the different SDGs to rural communities, Partnering with health-related NGOs for health activities and Repackaging information for user. The study also identified some challenges affecting the accomplishment of these programmes by academic libraries to include administrative bottlenecks from university management, inadequate finance to cater for logistics and implementation, poor relationship between university and rural communities, societal and environmental threats

The Academic Library’s use of Benchmarking to Achieve Outcomes: Benefits and Challenges. Academic Libraries in Imo State Experience.

The research examines the academic library’s use of benchmarking as a means to achieve outcomes with the academic libraries in Imo State as a focal point. The study made use of survey design to investigate a total number of 44 section heads of the academic libraries in Imo State. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. Results revealed that most of the section heads were not aware if their academic library makes use of benchmark in its operations and services. It also revealed a lot of benefits that are associated with benchmarking in academic libraries. However, some challenges were identified to inhibit benchmarking in academic libraries in Imo State. Keywords: Benchmark, academic library, benefits, challenges DOI: 10.7176/IKM/9-10-06 Publication date: November 30th 201

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

DECADES OF ADVOCACY: TOWARDS EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) IN UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA: THE MISSING LINK

This paper is a position article that explores the various ways that have been missing in the decades of advocacy for the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) in universities in Nigeria. The paper examines both the global and Nigerian perspectives in the advocacy for the use of OER. It also explains exhaustively the concept of OER. The paper identifies institutional support, awareness of the existence of OER in the university communities, adequate bandwidth with sustained ICT capacities and facilities, sound policy framework and public-private partnership initiatives as measures that are missing in the chains of advocacy to popularize use of OER in teaching and learning in Nigerian universities. The paper firmly believes that when these issues identified are properly addressed and interlinked, the awareness of existence and popularity of OER in teaching and learning in universities will be boosted which will ultimately lead to their incorporation in the nation’s university curriculum content and processes

SOCIAL MEDIA AND UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION ON CONTAGIOUS DISEASES: THE CASE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS OF ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL ABA

This research examines social media and utilization of information on contagious diseases by medical students of Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba. The research adopts survey design to investigate a sample of 321 medical students of ABSU Teaching Hospital who were registered undergraduates in the 2017/2018 academic session. Because the number of the students was adequate and manageable, the research adopted the census sampling technique. Structured and validated questionnaire with a reliability coefficient value of 0.81 was used to gather data for the study. Results reveal that the medical students received and made use of information on contagious diseases from six social media platforms covering causes, pattern of spread, type of people affected, effects, drug administration and strategy to avoid infection. Economic, social, infrastructural and environmental challenges impeded receipt and use of information by the students. Provision of functional computer sets with adequate cyber network in the hospital library is one of the recommendations that could ameliorate the challenges. The paper concludes that since receipt and utilization of information on contagious diseases is quick and accurate through social media platforms, quality internet services should be sustained in the medical library

SOCIAL MEDIA AND UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION ON CONTAGIOUS DISEASES: THE CASE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS OF ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL ABA

This research examines social media and utilization of information on contagious diseases by medical students of Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba. The research adopts survey design to investigate a sample of 321 medical students of ABSU Teaching Hospital who were registered undergraduates in the 2017/2018 academic session. Because the number of the students was adequate and manageable, the research adopted the census sampling technique. Structured and validated questionnaire with a reliability coefficient value of 0.81 was used to gather data for the study. Results reveal that the medical students received and made use of information on contagious diseases from six social media platforms covering causes, pattern of spread, type of people affected, effects, drug administration and strategy to avoid infection. Economic, social, infrastructural and environmental challenges impeded receipt and use of information by the students. Provision of functional computer sets with adequate cyber network in the hospital library is one of the recommendations that could ameliorate the challenges. The paper concludes that since receipt and utilization of information on contagious diseases is quick and accurate through social media platforms, quality internet services should be sustained in the medical library