Search

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.

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 study investigated the availability and use of e-learning tools as emerging paradigms in Covenant University, Nigeria. The study population comprise of 7000 undergraduate students, out of which 1000 was used as sample. Questionnaire was used as data collecting tool for the study. A total of five hundred and eleven questionnaires were filled and returned. The study revealed that an appreciable number of e-learning tools were available and in use in the University. Notable among them is an electronic learning management system--Moodle. Most of the respondents (61.8%) indicated that they used the e-learning tools mostly for downloading lecture notes. The study further revealed that there was no significant relationship between students' level of study (class) and their use of elearning tools. Also, no significant relationship between use of e-learning tools and academic performance was established. Majority of the respondents (54%) identified inadequate internet access as the biggest challenge to students' use of e-learning platforms. The study was concluded with recommendations that could enhance the use of e-learning platforms in Universities in Nigeria.

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 study examined the relationship between use of library resources and research productivity of lecturers in Private Universities in South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. A sample of 368 lecturers was selected for the study and questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. 231 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved, representing 63% response rate. Data was analyzed using simple percentages, and mean; Pearson correlation coefficient was used for test of hypothesis. Findings indicated that lecturers made use of library resources; however the following challenges were identified as obstacles to library use: work pressure, deadlines to meet and time constraints among others. Consequently, lecturers' research productivity level was average (they published between 1-5 times in three years). The test of hypothesis revealed a significant relationship between use of library resources and research productivity of lecturers. It was recommended that University Management should invest more on acquisitions of information resources for libraries, employ more lecturers in order to reduce work pressure and load among others. Keywords: Lecturers, Libraries, Research, Research Productivity, Nigeria, Library Resources, Introduction Research plays an important role in facilitating the prosperity of a nation and the well-being of her people. Through research, Universities and other higher institutions of learning make important [...]

Lack of academic integrity has frustrated the attainment of educational objectives especially in tertiary institutions in recent times. Perhaps, one of the most prevalent fraudulent practice among students, academics and researchers today is plagiarism. This paper examines the concept, nature and intricacies of plagiarism. It notes the devastating effects of plagiarism on the individual, academic institutions and the society at large. The paper argues that libraries by their assigned and inherent functions have a strategic role to play in curbing plagiarism. The roles include awareness creation, teaching of referencing and citation skills, information literacy programmes among others. The paper concludes with further recommendations for dealing with the menace of plagiarism. Keywords: Plagiarism, Academic Institutions, Libraries, Plagiarists, Researchers, Students, Academic Integrity, INTRODUCTION Higher Institutions all over the world are battling with the 'plaque' of plagiarism. Management and designated authorities of institutions are concerned with the need to device means to curb [...]

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]

Introduction A university library is a part of a university organization which aims at the advancement of the functions of its parent body. Kumar (2006) asserts that a university is [...]

Introduction In this age of information and communication technology (ICT), the use of the Internet has become the norm. Developing countries like Nigeria are not exempted from this trend. The [...]