Development of Library and Information Science Education in South-East Nigeria: Trends, Challenges and way forward

Abstract

This paper investigated the development of Library and Information Science Education in South-East, Nigeria: Trends, challenges and way forward. The study is a qualitative survey based on literature review. Various definitions of Library and Information Science (LIS) Education from different scholars were examined. Research articles on the establishment of Librarianship education in Nigeria and in various institutions particularly in South-East were reviewed. The development of LIS education in South-East, Nigeria is not without its attendant challenges. An intentional observation of the researchers as librarians and intensive interactions with undergraduate students of Library and Information Science showed that few students are not knowledgeable of the emerging trends in their field of study. This is rather expected given that theoretical knowledge acquired about the discipline in the society falls short of what is needed in an emerging economy. The challenges that have marked the developments of LIS education in South-East, Nigeria are not insurmountable. However, the collaborative efforts of the relevant stakeholders in the LIS community can bring about a sustainable solution to the development of LIS education in South-East. Hence, the recommended approaches suggested which covers LIS students’ cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills. It is expected of university administrators to organize workshops and seminars that would ensure that Library Science Practitioners in the library are taught the use of ICT for collection development in line with global trend of librarianship.