Council trains librarians electronic resource sharing

Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) would train thousands of librarians on effective electronic resource sharing and networking in libraries. The Registrar, Professor Michael Afolabi said electronic resource sharing involved a mutual agreement between libraries to exchange resources with each library giving its own materials to other participating libraries and also receives same from them. […]

Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) would train thousands of librarians on effective electronic resource sharing and networking in libraries.

The Registrar, Professor Michael Afolabi said electronic resource sharing involved a mutual agreement between libraries to exchange resources with each library giving its own materials to other participating libraries and also receives same from them.

Professor Afolabi who spoke at a national workshop on electronic resource sharing and networking in libraries’ organised by the council at Imo State University, Owerri, said computers and telecommunications were among the tools used for facilitating communication among libraries.

He said that the 21st century has witnessed a shift from the traditional physical inter library loan to digital resource sharing and networking and that modern day librarianship involves the infusion of ICTs for collection, organization, preservation and dissemination of information,

Professor Afolabi called on all organizations to as a matter of priority provide adequate power supply in all libraries as the ICT facilities require power to function efficiently.

Some of the information materials shared among libraries include print and non-print materials such as databases, books, journals, e-resources among others.

The registrar said the benefits of sharing resources and networking among libraries included improved library stock and improved contact among libraries; collection and mobility of data or information is guaranteed since libraries do not meet physically before they exchange materials. Transport barriers are removed because acquisition is done on-line.

The registrar commended universities for setting up Nigerian University Libraries Consortium, code-named NuLib, for electronic resource sharing.