Ezra Shiloba Gbaje and Zakari Mohammed
The study aims to examine availability, coverage of digital preservation policy and the structures put in place by National Information Centres in Nigeria to preserve digital…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to examine availability, coverage of digital preservation policy and the structures put in place by National Information Centres in Nigeria to preserve digital information.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research methodology using a case study approach was adopted. Documentary sources, a semi‐structured questionnaire for the focus group, and interviews were the instruments used to collect data. While a homogeneous sampling of five staff in the digitisation/digital preservation unit was adopted for the focus group interview, only one top management staff member from the rank of Assistant Director of each of the selected three National Information Centres was interviewed.
Findings
The National Bureau of Statistics and the National Library of Nigeria have digital preservation policies. However, the area of coverage of the available policies is not adequate enough to ensure the long‐term preservation of digital information. Similarly, the study revealed that the lack of institutional support from the National Information Centres studied is one of the challenges in the implementation of the digital preservation policy.
Practical implications
For any National Information Centre to ensure the accessibility and reuse of its digital information, it must have a digital preservation policy, without which the active management of digital information will be very challenging and can result in the loss of vital digital information of significant importance.
Originality/value
There is currently no research work addressing issues on digital preservation policy with a particular focus on Nigeria. This paper therefore highlights shortcomings of the available digital preservation policy and proposes a national digital preservation policy that will chart a road map for effective digital preservation activities in any National Information Centre.
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Jonathan Ogugua, Nancy Emerole and Fanny Egwim
Presents a summary of the proceedings of the 2007 National Conference/AGM of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Abstract
Purpose
Presents a summary of the proceedings of the 2007 National Conference/AGM of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Design/methodology/approach
Draws on the nine scholarly papers and speeches presented at the conference.
Findings
An appropriate curriculum should be designed for the training of librarians in Nigerian universities, as well as in the training of school library media specialists. Public‐Private Partnership (PPP) in library and information services should be encouraged; the use of ICT is beneficial to undergraduates; and consortium development in agricultural research institutes is also indispensable. The virtual library in Nigeria is also valuable, the challenges not withstanding, and library and information services to rural communities should also be encouraged.
Originality/value
An original paper that has great value for library and information practitioners, government and policy makers.
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Ebikabowei Emmanuel Baro and Monica Eberechukwu Eze
The purpose of this study is to know the various factors librarians consider while selecting open access (OA) journal for publication, and to know the challenges librarians face…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to know the various factors librarians consider while selecting open access (OA) journal for publication, and to know the challenges librarians face with OA journal publishing.
Design/methodology/approach
Online questionnaire was designed to collect data using SurveyMonkey software from 335 academic librarians in 57 institutions (Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education) in Nigeria.
Findings
The findings of the study revealed that majority of the academic librarians are aware of the gold and green publishing routes, while the majority of academic librarians are not aware of the diamond publishing route. The study also revealed that when considering where to publish, reputation and impact factor of journal were rated as very important among the factors that inform their choice of OA. The study further revealed that academic librarians have little or no knowledge about the existence of institutional repositories in their institutions, and only a few actual use institutional repositories and ResearchGate to self-archive their publications. The majority of the academic librarians agreed that author fees (Article Processing Charges) and low impact factor of journal are barriers to publishing in OA journals. Training on OA publishing is recommended for librarians to increase their knowledge and confidence to discuss OA with faculty members in future.
Practical implications
Knowledge of authors’ attitude toward OA publishing models will help OA advocates focus on the factors that are meaningful that are raised in this study.
Originality/value
The study is an original research work that investigated academic librarians’ perception and engagement with OA publishing as they lead the OA campaign in their institutions.