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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Nigerian University Libraries (1848-1988): Their Role in Nation Building |
Author: | Agaja, James Abayomi. |
Year: | 1990 |
Periodical: | Africana Marburgensia |
Volume: | 23 |
Issue: | 1 |
Pages: | 36-47 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Nigeria |
Subjects: | libraries university libraries Bibliography/Research Education and Oral Traditions |
Abstract: | University libraries in Nigeria have been particularly instrumental to Nigerian national development. This is evidenced by some salient roles they have hitherto played and are still playing. The role of a quasi-national library, which was played by the University of Ibadan Library, founded in 1948, implied that this library enjoyed legal deposit privileges. The quasi-public library role of Nigerian university libraries is demonstrated by the fact that they also have the added responsibility of meeting the demands of readers outside their academic communities. Furthermore, Nigerian university libraries are very effective agencies for storing, maintaining and propagating Nigerians' cultural identities. Also, various university libraries have a function in manpower development in that they run short courses for some of their unqualified staff as well as for those of other libraries. Information dissemination, and the promotion of social, political and economic development are other significant roles. Finally, the libraries' contributions to the research activities of their parent institutions through timely provision of research materials must be mentioned, as well as their binding and photocopying services. Ref. |