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Librarians' commitment is crucial for the success of any library. However, this subject has become a concern to library management as it dominates recent library literature. Hence, this study examined the effects of career development indicators on the organizational commitment of librarians in university libraries in Southern Nigeria. Survey research design was used for the study. The population comprised 556 professional librarians from university libraries in Southern Nigeria. The total enumeration sampling technique was used and the questionnaire method was employed for data collection. A returned rate of 94.2% (n = 524) was obtained. Data analysis was done using multiple regression analyses. Findings revealed that career development indicators had both significance and insignificance influence on the dimensions of organizational commitment of librarians in Southern Nigeria. Consequently, the study concluded that investing in career development indicators like mentoring and training will help to boost the organizational commitment of librarians, ultimately leading to increased productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of librarians in e- learning programs, as a consequence of post-covid adaptations in Nigerian universities. Through a review of the relevant literature and of current practice in existing e-learning programs in Nigerian universities, a discussion is developed around the significant roles librarians can play. The embedded librarianship model was identified as the best practice to adopt in order to secure a place for librarians and libraries in Nigeria in the face of the current change in teaching approaches in the post Covid-19 environment. Furthermore, the paper describes the perceived challenges librarians and libraries may be confronted with in executing the embedded librarianship model with regard to online teaching and learning. The paper advocates that the identified challenges be addressed for the library to play a role in the evolving post-covid adaptations in Nigerian universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examined the involvement of public libraries in information provision to breastfeeding mothers in a developing country – Nigeria. It noted the importance of necessary and adequate information in the health care of both mother and child during the breastfeeding period. It further outlined the types of information needed by breastfeeding mothers and the role of public libraries in the provision of the various types of information. The paper identified the challenges inhibiting information provision for breastfeeding mothers to include negative attitude of breastfeeding mothers, digital divide, and poor state of libraries among others. It recommended the involvement of government and nongovernmental agencies in the provision of education and enlightenment programs for women in order to improve on their literacy levels and effect attitudinal changes toward their reception of formal healthcare information; it also recommended the intervention of government and donor agencies in the revitalization of public libraries and provision of necessary infrastructure for information provision especially in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims at investigating the prevalence of bibliotherapy programs among practicing helping professionals in health and educational institutions in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. The research objectives are to examine whether bibliotherapy programme is practiced and prevalent among helping professionals in Ota; and to identify the challenges encountered by helping professionals who practice bibliotherapy. Survey design was adopted. Purposive sampling was used in selecting the sample. Frequencies and percentages were employed to analyze the data gathered. The finding from the result analysis revealed that 57.1% of helping professionals recommended reading materials to help clients gain insight into their problems, while 65.3% of them used bibliotherapy for helping clients gain understanding about others experiencing similar problems. The study concludes that the practice of bibliotherapy technique is prevalent among helping professionals in Ota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic libraries are increasingly becoming affected by intrusive and disruptive technologies, changing user needs, and alternative information providers who offer similar services as the library. The dilemma of academic libraries is evident, based on the declining support from parent institutions and decreasing patronage. In the face of stiff competition, their response has to be rapid in order to preserve their position. Academic librarians cannot effectively prepare for the future or position themselves until they understand the nature of their competitors and what draws the customers to them. To remain relevant, librarians must re-strategize their marketing techniques using competitive intelligence (CI). The article explores practical application of CI principles and strategies to the marketing mix variables of academic libraries. It identifies competitive strategies that could give library marketing a competitive edge. The article also identifies possible challenges in implementing competitive intelligence strategies in marketing for academic libraries and makes recommendations. The article concludes that it is expedient for academic libraries to adopt competitive intelligence to guide their marketing efforts so as to guarantee the survival and continuous growth of academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Institutional repositories (IRs) are gaining popularity globally. This paper examined the trend in a developing country—Nigeria. It reviewed and outlined the historical development of IRs and noted their low level implementation in the country. It also reviewed the role of faculty (authors) in IRs implementation. The paper identified faculty unwillingness to archive their publications in their IRs as a major inhibition to the growth of IRs in Nigeria. It therefore examined factors that influence faculty acceptance to archive in IRs with a view of ameliorating the challenge and encouraging IRs growth in the country. The paper also recommended awareness creation, advocacy programs, training on copyrights and correct referencing and citation formats, as well introduction of incentives geared towards motivating faculty to archive their publications in IRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, information products are becoming more often packaged and repackaged in electronic formats. Cataloguing these resources is a core responsibility of libraries and librarians. A major emerging standardization tool for cataloguing electronic resources is the "resource description and access" (RDA). This article examined the imperatives of RDA implementation among libraries in a developing country—Nigeria. It reviewed global trends and observed the poor RDA implementation level among libraries in Nigeria. It also identified challenges of RDA implementation peculiar to a developing country like Nigeria. The article further outlined strategies that would help to deal with the identified challenges. It concluded that the implementation of RDA is not optional, but mandatory for Nigerian libraries if they must be and remain relevant in the competitive world of librarianship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examined the state of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North-East Nigeria, the need to provide education and information services to the IDPs, and the role of libraries. It begins with the remote cause of the displacement. The paper also examined the state of the IDPs in terms of education and information services provision. It reported that the IDPs live in very deplorable conditions. There are no provisions for education and information services. The paper further discussed the importance of education and information to IDPs especially the children, teens, and youths. It recommended the empowerment and involvement of public libraries in the provision of education and information services to IDPs. It alluded that public libraries and librarians are better positioned to provide education and information services to displaced persons. The paper concluded that if necessary logistics and support are provided, libraries and librarians have the capacity to provide effective and efficient education and information services to IDPs and therefore bridge the current gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the importance of newspapers to research, education, and economic development for Nigeria and advocates the need to preserve newspapers. The authors discuss critical preservation issues related to newspapers and emphasize the urgent need to address their deteriorating state in Nigerian academic libraries. The article also examines the binding preservation method practiced among academic libraries and observes that the method is not adequate. It recommends that academic libraries in Nigeria should adopt the digitization model for newspaper preservation. The article identifies the digital divide, poor technological infrastructure, inadequate funding, lack of expertise, and copyright prohibitions as challenges of digitization and makes recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examines the policies and occurrences of occupational health hazards among library personnel in private universities in the Southwest, Nigeria. A total population of 177 respondents from 15 privately owned universities were used for the study. The research instrument used in the collection of data was a questionnaire. The result of the study shows that most respondents have experienced occupational health hazards. The study also revealed that muscle strain, back aches, eye problems, and respiratory diseases are the most prevalent occupational health hazards experienced by library personnel. The study identified manual handling of library materials, constant exposure of the eyes to computer screens, inhaling of chemicals and dust, as well as long sitting position as the main causes of occupational health hazards among staff. Most respondents indicated that their organizations are not implementing policies on occupational health hazards. Recommendations were made on how to address the various issues raised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]