The Vice Chancellor, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu has described library as a key components in any University System.

 

The Vice Chancellor made this known in a Keynote  address at the  twenty second Annual Workshop, Conference and AGM of Niger State Chapter of the Nigerian Library Association held at the University Guest House, Minna.

 

Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Hassan Ibrahim, the Vice Chancellor said the issues of innovation is a critical driver of modern economy, affirming that the term innovation captured in the theme of the conference is beyond introducing or implementing new ideas noting that it involves multiple activities to uncover new ways to do old things.

 

Professor Abu Kasim explained that libraries are repositories of invaluable information and with the improvements in technology in areas of information management, business and governance on a massive and global scale.

 

According to him, in present age, many libraries especially in advanced economies have ventured into big data, RFID technology and social media use, stressing that they have shifted gears from old traditional forms of service delivery to a more robust and efficient mode of information generation, storage, retrieval and transfer.

 

Professor Adamu appreciated the Executive Members of Niger State Chapter of the Association and called on them to continue innovative activities that will uplift the general wellbeing of librarians and library services in the State.

 

Earlier while declaring open the event, Chairman of the occasion who is the Registrar of National Examination Council Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi said with the advent of Covid-19 pandemic, it is imperative that one will not be relying on physical library contents.

 

The NECO Registrar who was represented by the Director Special Duties Mr. Mikel Okoye added that the skills required to perform these new roles require continues training and retraining.

 

In his goodwill message, the President Nigeria Library Association Mr. Dominic Omokaro said the theme of the Workshop and Conference, “Exploring Innovation Library and Information Services in a Digital Age” is very timely and auspicious for the profession as it begins the introduction of Information Computer and Technology in the delivery of services.

 

The President urged participants to leverage on the skills learnt to improve on the delivery of effective and efficient services at their various workplaces.

 

In her Opening Remarks, Chairperson of Nigerian Library Association (NLA) Niger State Chapter, Dr Fatimah Jibril Abduldayan explained that the theme is an all-encompassing one considering the rapid changes in library and information services profession occasioned by evolution of digital technologies and the need to keep members up to date with current trends in library and information services.

 

Dr. Jibril Abduldayan appealed to relevant stakeholders to assist revive the education and library development in the State.

 

The Lead Paper Presenter who is the University Librarian of Federal University of Kashere,  Gombe State, Professor Jibril Attahiru Alhassan, represented by Dr. Sadiyat Adetoro stated that accessing library services have shifted from clay tablets to electronic tablets with the whole universe on one palm nothing, that library services in the twenty first century has made tremendous progress especially in the application of information, acquisition, organization, preservation, display and delivery to users.

 

Professor Attahiru Alhassan asserted that the Nigerian Library landscape is moving gradually to catch up with developed world in the area of application of ICT to service delivery in university libraries affirming that the future is bright for better and improved service delivery.

 

Highlights of the event included activities of Niger State Chapter of Association over the year and overview of the conditions and stages of library in Niger State as well as award presentation.