Hey! I am currently in
Abia state, Nigeria for my N.Y.S.C (National Youth Service Corps) program me
and I was posted to polytechnic. These are some of my experiences at their
library (not encouraging), but there is always room for improvement.
*The library was
completely hidden or obscure, set in an area of the small school compound that
I personally had to take a great deal of time to locate it i.e. because I had
an appointment there, wonder how many people will go through much trouble to
look for the library. It was discouraging!
*No electricity. This
is a constant problem in the country no doubt, but the sickening part of it is
that the administrative blocks and others have electricity. Is the library not
as important the others? The library was without electricity for a month, until
electricity was restored because of a government inspection in the school.
*The library cannot
boost of a single computer system, and any digital presence or existence online
i.e. a website. This was no surprise
because the library staff was obviously ignorant of online information
retrieval and the existence of library software. This is entirely absurd in the 21st
century where institutions like the library are expected to perform their
operations digitally and provide access of electronic information from around
the globe.
*The library was
obviously just a reading space for tests and examinations as students only
visit the library when they have assignments or are preparing for a test
thereby just concentrating majorly on their books and handouts.
*Serials present in the
library dates back to five years to seven years, am not questioning the
importance of having information materials of archival nature in the library,
but these serials were in display as if being current including
newspapers. This is clear sign of
ignorance and neglect that serials face in the country.
*The library was turned
into a random meeting place as students and staff was seen chatting away. The ultimate rule of silence in the library
was observed only when there was no one present there. Students and other staff
members troop in to discuss issues of the day and all sorts.
*The library was unable
to provide borrowing facility to its students and a number of those that wanted
to borrow books were disappointed to find that they couldn’t. The inadequate
structure and extremely limited amount monographs, the library couldn’t borrow
books.
*And lastly, the
library was lacking some basic comfort amenities that make reading easier,
these include electric fans or air conditioners, bright lights, seats and
tables and others.
Libraries in Nigeria have
over the years experienced a snail-growth development in its integration of
digital systems with its activities. The
challenges listed above are major problems the library faces in Nigeria on a
daily basis. The library illustrated
above is a typical example of countless libraries in Nigeria that suffer
neglect and ignorance from their parent body, individuals and government
officials. The 21st century
library is expected to integrate digital systems with its activities and flow
with the digital tide sweeping every profession in the world in other to remain
relevant.
In the same vein, I
would like to emphasize the importance of internal revenue generation for
libraries. The 21st century
library should cater for its basic needs; economic meltdowns and depression
have pushed funds from parent bodies and government officials to “important
projects”. The library therefore, should
own business centers, e-libraries, photocopying booths, and binderies, so the
library occasionally depends on its parent body for funding and can purchase
current journals and newspapers, textbooks and even purchase of computer
systems except they are capital intensive such as building projects.
Internal revenue
generation projects like those mentioned above should serve the double purpose
of creating funds through fees charged for services provided and also serving
the library by meeting its needs; for example, the bindery can serve the double
purpose of providing funds through payments from customers and also repair
books and providing hard cover to worn out books in the library. When the library helps itself it will be
helped; when government officials see the improvement the library has given
itself, they in turn can support the library’s activities.
The importance of
proper orientation cannot be over emphasized; orientation of both staff and
students eradicates ignorance and in turn makes the library relevant to its
patrons in ways they never imagined.
Badaru Ayotunde Seun
Would like to hear from you...what do you think?
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