Mentoring

This paper discussed mentoring, a tool for successful collaboration for Library and Information Science (LIS) educators, in the University of Calabar. For reasons why LIS educators collaborate, respondents revealed, among others, a sense of belonging, motivation, the challenge of management, witch-hunting, and reduction of cost of conducting research, among others. The results from mentoring for collaboration indicated that 19 respondents published 8 articles out of their first 11 published articles through collaboration efforts. Six respondents published six and two respondents had four through collaborative efforts. These represented 70.4%, 22.2%, and 7.41% of the results of mentoring for collaboration. The result show that LIS senior educators mentor young academics for collaboration. The paper identified some challenges of mentoring and the researcher suggested that mentors should be straightforward with the mentees because it is only by trust that people can work together irrespective of their profession.

A Mediated Approach to the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

This paper examines the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in relation to its implication for academic libraries in the 21st century. It sheds light on how technological development has had major impacts in the academic library, with regards to how information is being constructed, transmitted and accessed by library users. In the course of this discourse it was deduced that students constitute a significant percentage of the academic library users. The technological development in the academic sphere has enabled ubiquitous interactions between students and teachers, in which students are enabled to learn and communicate with their teachers from remote locations, thus inducing the notion of VLE. The VLE is regarded as technological-based environment where learners are enabled to access learning outside the classroom. With the aid of VLE students are granted ownership of their learning process, thus ensuring positive learning outcomes. Finally, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was employed to serve as the theoretical basis of this discourse.

An Assessment of the Use of Electronic Databases by Academic Staff, Bowen University, Nigeria

The study assessed the use of electronic databases by academic staff of Bowen University, Nigeria. Descriptive analysis including percentage and frequency count was used to analyze the data. From the total population of 500 academic staff, a sample of 75 was taken using the simple random sampling technique. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection in this study. The questionnaire used was a closed ended or structured questionnaire divided into two sections. Section A captures the respondents’ bio-data while section B contained the structured items to achieve the research objectives. Five research questions were developed and answered by the study. The results show that majority of academic staff were aware of available e-databases, use it to improve teaching delivery and research output. Challenges encountered include inadequate time and an overwhelming workload. The study concludes by recommending a drastic reduction in workload, increasing bandwidth, hotspots and entrenching customer-friendly policies in the library.

Determinants of Web Search Effectiveness from the Perspective of Library and Information Science Students

This study examined an empirical analysis of the determinants of library and information science students’ web search effectiveness at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. A total enumerative method was used where the entire 146 year three and four undergraduate students of the Department of Library and Information Science represent the sample. Through a survey approach, a questionnaire was developed and used for the collection of data. Three research questions were developed to guide the study. The results demonstrate that determinants such as internet and computer self-efficacy, information literacy skills, use of Boolean operators and use of appropriate search terms significantly correlate with and determine web search effectiveness.

Effect of Security Challenges on Library Resources in Fed. University of Lafia Library, Nasarawa St.

The study looks at security challenges, causes and effects of security challenges on the resources, types of collection that are more vulnerable to security breaches, challenges encountered in combating the breaches, measures to reduce & address security breaches in Fed. Uni. Lafia library (6) objectives with research questions guided the study. The study uses survey research design. The population examined is (30) library staff & (100) undergraduate students in Fed. Uni. Lafia, summing total population to (130). Data was collected using a questionnaire titled effect of security challenges on library resources in federal University of Lafia library. Random sampling technique was used for the study. Mean tables, frequencies and percentage were used to analysed data. It shows, library is faced with the challenges of book theft, non-return of materials, mutilation, overdue books, shelving of books. Recommendations; To increased security in the library by supervision, patrolling/surveillance, buy copiers, installed security gadgets in the library premises & fencing.

Makerspaces

The idea of makerspace in a library is one that has re-emphasized the importance of library spaces in today’s digitally controlled society. Makerspace as a concept promotes creative learning, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and problem solving skills among people and also inspires them to shift from being passive consumers to active creators. The library makerspace provide space for people of all ages to build prototypes, explore new ideas and build something together, thus, enhancing human capacity building among library users. Consequently, this paper theoretically examined makerspace as a library tool for capacity building in developing countries. The concept of makerspace, makerspace tools, and the best practices for effective makerspace were discussed. The paper also explored makerspace as a library tool for capacity building as well as the challenges faced in creating library makerspace. The paper concluded that library makerspace provide a safe place for people to feel comfortable creating and using powerful tools without feeling pressured.

COVID-19 Information Seeking and Utilization Among Women in Warri Metropolis, Delta State, Nigeria

The study is intended to explore COVID-19 information seeking and utilization among women in Warri Metropolis, Delta State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted using a self-constructed questionnaire to collect data. Data were analyzed using simple percentages. Findings revealed that a majority of the women need information on COVID-19 preventive measures, followed by causes of the pandemic; Internet is the source of COVID-19 information used by the highest number of respondents, followed by television and social media; a majority of them consider the authority of the source of the information on coronavirus followed by usefulness of the information; a majority access COVID-19 information to enable them identify symptoms of the disease followed by protection against COVID-19 infection while concern for reliability of much of the available information on the pandemic was a major barrier to their utilization of COVID-19 information. It is recommended that effort should be made by government to get mobile network operators to reduce network tariff.

The Copyright Risk of MOOC and the Countermeasures of University Libraries

With the rapid development of MOOCs, copyright risks related to the MOOC cannot be ignored. MOOCs rely on multimedia technology, and the fragmented characteristics of its sources and the profitability of the MOOC involve more complicated legal relationships. It has been proven that an effective way of dealing with copyright risk is through the participation of university libraries in MOOCs. The practical significance of this paper lies in how to exert a library's professional advantages and how to participate in MOOC production in order to solve the copyright risk of MOOC. Furthermore, the rapid development of MOOCs provides the realistic basis for speeding up the legislative process for the adjustment of copyright regulations. Therefore, it is necessary to perfect the copyright legislation related to MOOCs: let no masterworks get into the public domain but allow the orphan works to be used directly on the premise of paying an escrow fee.

Makerspaces

The idea of makerspace in a library is one that has re-emphasized the importance of library spaces in today’s digitally controlled society. Makerspace as a concept promotes creative learning, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and problem solving skills among people and also inspires them to shift from being passive consumers to active creators. The library makerspace provide space for people of all ages to build prototypes, explore new ideas and build something together, thus, enhancing human capacity building among library users. Consequently, this paper theoretically examined makerspace as a library tool for capacity building in developing countries. The concept of makerspace, makerspace tools, and the best practices for effective makerspace were discussed. The paper also explored makerspace as a library tool for capacity building as well as the challenges faced in creating library makerspace. The paper concluded that library makerspace provide a safe place for people to feel comfortable creating and using powerful tools without feeling pressured.

Sustainable Information Development Practices and Societal Transformation in Kenya

Demonstrate the impact of the information discipline and profession in transforming and changing the life of people through sustainable development practices and policies. Quantitative and qualitative research design collected data from information academicians and professionals. Questionnaires and interviews were used to obtain primary data while document analysis and related sources provided secondary information. Decent work and economic growth is the leading and relevant rudimentary goals of sustainable development practices that provides not only perfect employment and wealth creation opportunities but also the fundamental denominator to poverty eradication, food security, quality education, good health and well-being as well as clean water and sanitation. Post-implementation strategies for building sustainable development practices should connect the social, economic and political aspects of people with practical policies.