LRCN trains librarians on electronic resource sharing

The Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) has commenced capacity building of Librarians in electronic resource sharing and networking.

The Registrar/CEO of LRCN, Prof. Michael Afolabi, who disclosed this at a national workshop on “Electronic Resource Sharing and Networking in Libraries,” which was organised by the Council at the Imo State University Owerri, said the 21st Century had witnessed a paradigm shift from the traditional physical inter-library loan to digital resource sharing and networking.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Public Relations of LRCN, Ngozi Oboh, the Registrar further explained that although libraries might be in different jurisdictions, they agree to serve one another on the same basis as each serves its own constituent, electronic resource sharing which involves a mutual agreement among libraries towards exchange of resources that could further improve access to information from other libraries across the world.

Since modern day librarianship involves the infusion of ICTs for collection, organisation, preservation and dissemination of information, Afolabi called on all organisations to as a matter of priority provide adequate power supply to all libraries as the ICT facilities required electricity to function efficiently.

Afolabi, however, encouraged state governments to support public libraries across the country by providing ICT facilities and seamless access to the internet to enable them link up with library consortiums and share e-Resources.

While expressing worry that some public libraries had resources that were not being utilized optimally because of absence of ICT infrastructure and internet services, he charged the libraries to develop their library specific websites to increase their visibility and participate effectively in the information super-highway. Afolabi said:

“The benefits of sharing resources and networking among libraries include improved library stock and improved contact among libraries; ensuring that collection and mobility of data or information is guaranteed since libraries do not meet physically before they exchange materials.

“In fact, transport barriers are removed because acquisition is done on-line. Electronic Resource sharing helps in addressing duplication in research and development so libraries are properly positioned to select and acquire only relevant materials.”