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Argues that seminars are important in individual and organizational development. Discusses the rationale for and procedure employed in the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Library series of seminars. Considers long – and short‐term planning, timing and venue, and procedures and reports. Considers that the appointment of an active and enthusiastic seminar secretary is essential.

A brief historical background of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) and its library is given. This article then provides a brief overview of the concept of staff development and discusses in detail the various staff development efforts of librarians by ATBU Library, Bauchi. These include staff orientation, staff meetings, in‐service training, academic library staff seminars and representation on Schools Boards of Studies. Other relevant activities include professional activities, library use instructions, sabbatical leave, personnel training and outreach as well as library research. Finally, the article advocates that staff development should also aim at staff retention through the provision of incentives for staff.

Discusses stocktaking in libraries using the shelf‐list method with particular reference to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Library, Bauchi, Nigeria, 1987 stocktaking exercise. Views stocktaking as an important aspect of library stock management. Considers types of stocktaking, advantages and disadvantages of stocktaking. Describes the library shelf‐list, assumptions, planning and sequence involved in stocktaking using the shelf‐list method. Suggests that the frequency of stocktaking should depend on the size of the stock and the human and material resources available for the exercise.

Staff development efforts by Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Library, Bauchi are discussed, with particular reference to the area of computer literacy courses. The purchase of a microcomputer (Turbowriter) and steps being taken to acquire CD‐ROM are reviewed as practical efforts towards computerisation in the University Library and suggestions are made for its success. Staff development and retention are advocated for effective computerisation of any library system.

The importance of research in appreciating the problems of libraries and the hypothesis examined in this study are described. The historical background of the Ibadan Polytechnic and the objectives of the library makes for better understanding of the academic environment of this study. The methodology used is described. Ten tables which emanated from this research are analysed and discussed. Recommendations and conclusions are given for the improvement of resources, facilities and services for the good of the Ibadan Polytechnic students.

A study was conducted to find out the types of CD products in Nigerian libraries and information centres, and the uses to which they are being put. The study also tried to find out the sources of funding of such products, information about users, hardware configuration, and training facilities available in the country. Of the 157 questionnaires sent out, 85 usable returns (a 54% response rate) were received. The analysis revealed that 44 libraries had at least one PC with only nine of such centres having at least one CDROM workstation. There are 62 copies of 43 CD titles in Nigeria. Information on the discs is classified as bibliographic, full text, statistical, or general information. The subjects they cover in descending numeric order are agriculture, general reference, medicine, science and technology, social sciences, and education. Areas of applications include information retrieval, bibliographic compilations, current awareness services, library acquisition work, and downloading and uploading to local online databases. In general, CD use was minimal in most libraries as opposed to information centres where CD applications were well used by patrons, especially where the mass media was employed to advertise them. Most libraries funded their CD projects with their local budgets. The most frequently used computers are IBM or compatibles. Recommendations are also outlined.

The resources and services of the Federal Polytechnic Library, Bauchi, are evaluated with a view to understanding better the problems of polytechnic libraries in a developing country like Nigeria. A brief historical background of the polytechnic is given. An analysis of a questionnaire administered to library users is presented and recommendations made for improvement of both resources and services of the Federal Polytechnic Library.

Gives a brief history of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria. Points out that this university first had to use a temporary building for nine years even though the facilities in it were inadequate. Focuses on the new library building of this university commissioned on 10 November 1990. Describes the main sections of the new library including its facilities. Draws attention to inadequacies of the building. Finally concludes that the new library building is by all standards a functional one.

Explores the factors which motivate graduates in Nigeria to enter librarianship via the Master of Library Studies qualification. Questionnaire respondents cited the desire to be professional, to work with people within a creative environment, and to ensure a stable and secure future, as key motivators in their decision to enter the profession. Important external factors included the influence of friends, practising librarians and the mass media.

This study aims to examine the effect of staff seminars on the publications productivity of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals in academic libraries in Ogun State, Nigeria.

To elicit the necessary information, a two‐part questionnaire was sent to 41 LIS professionals in the seven academic libraries in Ogun state during the 2002/2003 session. Of this number, 34 (82.3 percent) were returned and found usable.

Analysis of the returned questionnaires showed that the majority of respondents' libraries hold seminars, though only occasionally (70.8 percent). Participation is largely restricted to academic librarians (62.5 percent), although some libraries (37.5 percent) allowed participation by their para‐professional staff. While presentation of papers is largely optional (66.7 percent), some libraries (33.3 percent) made it obligatory for their staff. Most of the respondents were of the opinion that staff seminars positively affected their publication output in terms of quality and quantity. A total of 66 out of the total of 79 manuscripts submitted for publication after they have been criticized by their peers at seminars were published. This constitutes 83.5 percent success. The study recommends that staff seminars should be taken more seriously in university libraries so as to improve on the quality and increase the publication output of librarians as well as to justify their academic status.

This study provides useful information for those interested in the effect of staff seminars on the publications productivity of LIS professionals in academic libraries.