Information

Role of Libraries as Sources for Information by Farmers in Ogbomoso Oyo State Nigeria (Published)

The study investigated the role of libraries as sources of information for farmers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 150 respondents, of whom 142 (95%) responded and were valid for the analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data using a percentage table. Findings showed that 54.3% of the respondents use library resources as their information sources, while 45.7% do not use library resources. This implied that there was little disparity between those farmers who use libraries and those who do not use libraries as their information sources. Further, negative attitudes by farmers toward the use of libraries, inadequate agricultural information resources in the libraries to meet farmer needs, a low level of ICT skill by farmers to access agricultural information resources in their comfort zones, inadequate time to visit libraries and the long distance of library locations were major problems militating against the farmers use of library resources. While proper information repackaging, adequate education on the use of ICT tools should be given to farmers toward the use of library as their information sources, every library should equip their library with resources on agricultural information, a specialist agricultural librarian should be encouraged by the libraries to meet the needs of farmers; libraries should also encourage mobile services in order to bring library services closer to farmers; and farmers should also be encouraged to find time to visit the library so as to get the latest information on new agricultural innovation documents.

Keywords: Farmers, Information, Librarians, Library Resources, Role

Provision of Security Information and Conflict Resolution in Rivers State (Published)

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between provision of security information and conflict resolution in Rivers State. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 2550 intelligence agency serving in Rivers State. A sample of 486 police officers and others were used for the study using simple random sampling technique. A researcher made questionnaire entitled “provision of security information and conflict resolution Questionnaire (PSICRQ) was used in collecting data for the study. The instrument was face validated by three experts. Internal consistency reliability was conducted for the instrument and a coefficient of 0.81 was obtained. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used in answering the research questions and in testing the hypotheses. The finding of the study indicated that there is relationship between provision of security information and conflict resolution in Rivers’ State. It was recommended among others that citizens should readily provide security information to the Law enforcement agency for the maintenance of law and order in Rivers State.

Keywords: Information, Security, technologies

Freedom of Information: The Act, Ideal and Practice (Published)

A Government’s commitment to openness is its ability to avail public information to citizens. In this regard Governments are expected to release information to facilitate public participation in policy formulation, decision-making and service delivery. Against this background the Government of Sierra Leone in 2013 passed the Right to Access Information Act for the disclosure of information held by public authorities or by persons providing services. Invariably this article critically examined this Right to Access Information Act in relation to constitutional provision, its relation to other international FOI Acts, the importance of information as a natural resource and how it is accessed, the value of records keeping in ensuring freedom of information as inseparable entities, and its pitfalls.

Keywords: Information, Information Management, Sierra Leone, access to information, information provision, information services

Strategic Approach to Networking and Promotion of Information Products and Services in Nigerian University Libraries: With Focus to University Libraries in Imo State Nigeria (Published)

Library networking entails sharing the resources of a library with users of other libraries. This article explored various resources and services shared between university libraries in Imo State. It also identified the rationale for the networking. Also it identified some networking tools/ platforms utilized in the course of the networking. The study gave some benefits derived towards improving information resources and services through networking. Finally it identified some of the factors hindering effective information resources and services networking and promotion. Descriptive survey research method was employed to investigate a total population of 49 academic librarians in university libraries in Imo State. The structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the research of which the totality of the questionnaire representing 100% were duly filled and returned for analysis. Findings revealed the resources and services that were networked and shared. It also revealed the rationale behind the networking and promotion of information resources and services. The findings discovered some of the tools used in the networking and promotion of the information resources. The study also identified some benefits towards improving networking and promotion of information resources and services finally the study revealed the factors hindering effective networking and promotion of information resources and services.

Keywords: Information, Library, Networking, Promotion, University, information products

Library and Information Services: A Panacea for Promoting Teacher Education Programmes in Nigeria to Meet Global Demands (Published)

Teacher education programmes in Nigeria have come under heavy criticism these past decades; with government and stakeholders expressing so much concern as to why the graduates are not excelling, despite the huge resources expended in the programme. The paper discussed the concept of education, teacher education programmes, the quite essential role libraries and librarians play in the advancement of teacher education programmes to meet the global demand. The paper identified some challenges facing the teacher education programme ranging from inadequate information resource, poor information utilization due to lack of information literacy skills, poor integration of new technologies in library service delivery in teacher education libraries, poor internet subscription in the E-library, and poor library services for teacher education programme. Given the fact that libraries are known as knowledge and information centres for the dissemination of information, referral, consultancy, and advocacy services.  Suggestions on how libraries can advance TE programme by providing adequate print, non-print resources, effective e-resources and functional e-library and teach information literacy skills for trainee teachers to enhance teacher education programmes and students in the utilization of information for learning and  researches to meet global demands.

Keywords: Education, Global, Information, Library, Programme, Teacher

Library and Information Science Education and Learning in a World of Difference (Published)

The changes in library operations and service delivery inundated by emerging technologies, pose a need for library and information science educators to adopt a global initiative to resolve curriculum and training issues in library schools in Africa. To this end, this paper reviews Library and Information Science education in Nigeria,Library and Information Science curriculum reforms,  ICT and LISE, entrepreneurial skills in LISE  and major challenges facing LISE in Nigeria.The paper presented a module for a proposed curriculum, identified the entrepreneurial skills needed by LISE graduates and posited that a dearth of qualified IT professionals in Library schools, poor funding, poor policy implementation among others are the major challenges facing LISE in Nigeria. The study recommended that effective policy implementation is an essential tool to enhance LISE transformation in Nigeria. Also, the opportunities the Information technology application offers will transform library and information science education, and these will help bridge the gap between the two worlds.

Keywords: Education, Information, Learning, Library, Science, world

Library and Information Science Education and Learning in a World of Difference (Published)

The changes in library operations and service delivery inundated by emerging technologies, pose a need for library and information science educators to adopt a global initiative to resolve curriculum and training issues in library schools in Africa. To this end, this paper reviews Library and Information Science education in Nigeria, Library and Information Science curriculum reforms, ICT and LISE, entrepreneurial skills in LISE and major challenges facing LISE in Nigeria. The paper presented a module for a proposed curriculum, identified the entrepreneurial skills needed by LISE graduates and posited that a dearth of qualified IT professionals in Library schools, poor funding, poor policy implementation among others are the major challenges facing LISE in Nigeria. The study recommended that effective policy implementation is an essential tool to enhance LISE transformation in Nigeria. Also, the opportunities the Information technology application offers will transform library and information science education, and these will help bridge the gap between the two worlds.

Keywords: Education, Information, Learning, Library, Science, world

Information needs, Seeking and Resources Provision for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer among Female in Awka South, Anambra State (Published)

The paper addressed the issues of Information needs, Seeking and Resources Provision for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer among Female in Awka South, Anambra State. The objective of this paper is to know the information needs of female, sources of seeking the information and problems faced by them in area of ovarian cancer.  Descriptive survey research design was used for this study. Survey research design was used because it allowed the application of a questionnaire in the collection of data. The total population of the study was 496. It consisted of female from the selected Awka South LGA within Anambra State. Since the entire population was manageable, there was no need for sampling; therefore, an enumerative census of all the 496 females were used. The researcher used a questionnaire. Out of 496 copies of questionnaires distributed, 464 copies were correctly filled, and used for the analysis. Findings showed that female academics strongly need different information as it relates to early detection of ovarian cancer.  The responses revealed that both older and younger female academics agreed that they need health information about their personal risk for ovarian cancer. These includes, information about causes of ovarian cancer, physical symptoms of cancer, health habits that might lower the risk for ovarian cancer, information about group to attend for support and relevant information, information about managing fear of occurrence, physical nature of ovarian cancer, how ovarian cancer acts in the body and sexual implication of ovarian cancer.  It was found out here that married and unmarried female academics did not consult the same source of information as regards the early detection of ovarian cancer. Findings on the problems showed that female academics agreed to encounter similar problems in getting satisfied with desired information needs.

 

Keywords: Female, Information, Needs, early detection, ovarian cancer, seeking

A Survey of Librarians’ Information Technology Literacy Level in Nigerian Academic Libraries (Published)

This article investigated the Information Technology (IT) literacy level of librarians in four tertiary institutions in Ondo State, Nigeria. Questionnaire was used to collect data. Out of the thirty administered, twenty-four were returned and found useful. The response rate, therefore, was 80%. The study found that, generally, the literacy level was still low even though there was greater awareness. Thus, 29% of the librarians had never undergone formal training on computer. 79% did not have personal computer and only one librarian (4%) could design a database and create a website. Finally many of the sections in the libraries are without computer. It was recommended therefore, that librarians must utilize optimally every opportunity to develop their IT proficiency.

Keywords: Information, Literacy, Technology, communication, librarian

The Electronic Library Services and Its Patronage among Undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria (Published)

The role of Electronic Library Services in any academic institution, most especially in human life cannot be overemphasised in this 21^st century as they are technological advancement which has increased the role of information as a result of social progress and vigorous development in science and technology. However, the new and emerging technology changed the traditional process of learning, teaching, research and the way education is managed. The pace of change brought by these new technologies has had a significant effect on the way people live, work and play in the world. The study seeks to determine what the use of these electronic library services in Osun State University will mean to the undergraduates in the faculty of Health Sciences in relation to their studies. The population of the study consists of all undergraduates in the faculty of Health Sciences of Osun State University, Osogbo. The faculty has a total number of 1369 undergraduates. A stratified random sampling technique was used in selecting 200 undergraduates in the aforementioned faculty. 144 total number of respondents was used for the study. Both sexes from the various departments were also included in the study. They were well analysed and used to prepare the tables.

 

Keywords: Electronic Library Services, Faculty of Health Sciences, Information, Nigeria, Osun State University