Stella ANASI

The world is witnessing a profound change in the information landscape. A number of digital libraries have been built in developed and developing countries. The digital libraries can help to engage legal researchers in more active forms of learning and inquiry. This paper discusses the role of digital libraries in legal research. It also highlights the basic differences between traditional libraries and digital libraries. The paper examines the challenges and constraints to building of digital libraries in legal institutions in Nigeria. Finally, the paper concludes that
digital libraries can be strategic gateways to the global information and a boost to legal research in Nigeria.

This paper examines the potential or audiovisual media in the dissemination or health Information.The use and effectiveness of each medium health communication and information dissemination was extensively discussed.Lesson from an African country - Tanzania was
highlighted and the Nigeria experience assessed.The paper advocates teaming up of medical and information professionals as well as planned
sustained multimedia campaigns as means of improving health information dissemination in Nigeria.

The paper examines the role of information and information and communication technologies (lCTs) in the socio-economic empowerment of women. It highlights the critical contributions of ICTs towards women development and empowerment. Socio-economic factors which impede women empowerment as well as social benefits of women empowerment are discussed. Finally, the paper recommends team work approach involving women, government and non-governmental agencies in formulation of policies and programmes. Every woman should endeavour to acquire technological
skills and knowledge necessary for maximal utilization of the provisions of lCTs. Women nongovernmental agencies in Nigeria should build a
network to access local, national and global information, and government should increase access to education for women and the girl-child and ensure that every women development policy has information and communication component.

This study examined the pattern of Internet use by undergraduate students at the University of Lagos, Main Campus, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria. It revealed that the level of Internet use is low among undergraduate students from both the Faculty of Education and Faculty of Law. It also revealed that though majority of the students browse the Internet many of them cannot design search strategies. However, the study showed that internet use has very high impact on the academic/career related activities of the students. The study recommends the provision of faculty computer laboratories equipped with internet facilities, installation of solar electric power back-up system, and the integration of Internet and computer literacy into the compulsory general studies programme of the University.

The study examines the level of resource sharing among university libraries in Nigeria. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A questionnaire was used to collect the data from 70 professional librarians in six selected federal university libraries in Nigeria. The findings revealed that the tradition of resource sharing still exists among
university libraries in Nigeria though at a limited level. Majority of the librarians 63(90%) preferred the use of union catalogue for effective access to bibliographic information. While there was a high response on the level of expediency for cooperation among university libraries in Nigeria, the zeal for cooperation has not been match with action.The paper concludes that university libraries in Nigeria cannot afford to remain at crossroads in the evolving digital scenario, they need to partner and share their information resources.

The main thrust of the paper is the preservation and conservation of cultural heritage in Nigeria. It discusses the importance of cultural heritage, the impact of globalization on our heritage and the role libraries play in their preservation. The paper highlights the challenges of preserving our cultural heritage and concludes that librarians, archivists and museum professionals have the onerous task of preserving the heritage handed down to us by our ancestors.

This paper presents the findings of a study that examined the  environmental information needs and sources utilized by the residents of an urban area in Lagos State, Nigeria. The survey sample of 316 respondents made up of males and females were purposively selected. Data collected were categorized and analyzed using frequencies, percentages and T-test. It was found out that people in this community have many environmental problems such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse, industrial pollution, open soak ways, urinating on the roads and so on which affects human neettt: The residents need information on waste disposal facilities and effects of indiscriminate dumping of refuse; information on how to control pollution and  effects of pollution on health; information on environmental laws and sanitation; information on alternative means of pest control and effects of pesticide use among others. There was no significant difference between environmental information seeking behaviour of male and female (t= -1.479;
df =316; P>O.05). Hindrances to obtaining relevant information about the
environment were identified. The paper recommended the provision of
mobile libraries and community information centers equipped with
communication facilities, planned and sustained multi-media campaigns by government and non-governmental agencies as well as the general public as a means of improving environmental information  dissemination.

Information is the bedrock upon which democratic systems are built. Libraries are the gateways of information and ideas that rule the world. Therefore, libraries and information services are essential elements for the consolidation of democracy. This paper provides conceptual definitions of law libraries and democracy. It examines the essential elements of modem democracy and explains how law library services can consolidate democratic principles. Challenges faced by law libraries in the provision of information for consolidating democracy are highlighted and solutions proffered. The paper concludes that libraries have played important role in the consolidation of global democracy
therefore effective and functional law library services must be in place in Nigeria to inculcate true democratic principles.

ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the barriers to effective resource sharing among academic libraries in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – Professional librarians from six randomly selected federal university libraries representing the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria were surveyed using a descriptive survey research design. Questionnaires were sent to 124 librarians; 85 were returned and found to be usable, for a response rate of 68.5 per cent. Findings – The study revealed that the prospect for resource sharing among university libraries in Nigeria is high. However, factors that hinder effective resource sharing include inadequate funding, a dearth of skilled librarians, power outages, an absence of web-accessible OPACs, uneven development of libraries, and slow progress of library automation. It is recommended that each university library have a specific annual budget allocation for ICT development and maintenance and for training of librarians to pilot resource sharing projects. Originality/value – This paper presents resource-sharing challenges facing academic libraries in Nigeria. It encourages information professionals to embark on capacity building for effective resource sharing. This paper was prepared for the 12th Interlending and Document Supply Conference, held in September 2011.

... KIN Nwaloa and Stella NI Anasib aDepartment of Library, Archival and Information Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria bUniversity of Lagos Library ... However, this is contrary to the findings of Rani, Figueroa and Ainsle31, Mohammadi et al32 and Odusanya and Bankole27 who ...

African countries are faced with a number of daunting health challenges. These include maternal mortality, child and infant mortality, malaria, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), cholera, and so on. At such a time, Africans need access to health information. Unfortunately, access to and dissemination of health information in Africa is still at its lowest ebb. This article, therefore, examines the benefits of access to health information and the different methods adopted by African countries for the dissemination of health information. The article contends that the synergy between health and information professionals and the adoption of best strategies for the dissemination of health information will help to reduce Africans' disease burden.

This descriptive survey study was conducted with the main objective of examining the efforts geared towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), information literacy and women empowerment in Nigeria. It examined specifically the information needs of young women and how the Action Health Incorporated resource centre is responding to these needs. The impact of the services and programmes of the centre were investigated. The scope of this study is limited to adolescent girls that utilize the information products and services provided by an NGO that caters for health and general information needs of adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. The data collected was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics analysis using the Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS). Percentage, frequency counts, mean item score, and standard deviation. The result of the study shows that  the services provided at the resource centre have influence their academic performance positively, enable the young women to acquired new skills, improved their ability to speak in the public, and improved their knowledge of sex and reproductive issues. The paper recommended that Action Health Incorporated should collaborate with other non-governmental organizations that have vision for women empowerment to organize programmes that will adopt innovative and radical strategies to reach the unreached and marginalized young women not only those in the cities but especially those residing in the rural areas.

ABSTRACT Purpose ‐ The aim of this paper is to examine and discuss academic librarians' perceptions of the benefits and challenges of adopting e-learning for continuing professional development. Design/methodology/approach ‐ To elicit the necessary information, this study adopted a descriptive survey design, using questionnaire as instrument for data collection. The study population consists of five tertiary institutions ‐ two universities, two polytechnics and one college of education, selected as sample using the purposive sampling technique. The study also conducted a literature review on studies done on benefits and challenges of e-learning for professional development. The literature review is built on resources from online and offline. Findings ‐ Academic librarians in Lagos State were unanimous in their perception of benefits and challenges of adoption of e-learning for continuing professional development. The major benefits of e-learning were that e-learning opens up new frontiers for professional learning, supports knowledge generation and management and gives librarians an opportunity to broaden their knowledge. However, the major challenges to adopting e-learning for continuing professional development were inadequate power supply, inadequate knowledge of how to operate e-learning tools and limited bandwidth. Practical implications ‐ This paper establishes that the role of academic librarians in the provision of information for learning and study in academic institutions places them in an advantageous position to engage in e-learning activities for professional development. It also extols the need for top library management to deploy all resources within their reach to develop technology-enhanced learning system. This should also be complemented with the development and implementation of e-learning curriculum in library schools in Nigeria to inculcate e-learning culture. Originality/value ‐ The paper contributes to empirical research on e-learning for continuing professional development among librarians in Nigeria. Librarians who are interested in professional development will find this article useful.

Young people are vital to the future of any nation. Thirty-four percent of the people of Nigeria are between 10 and 24 years old. Poverty, unemployment, lack of infrastructure, and other factors have aggravated the problem of youth restiveness, lawlessness, and violence. Information in general and libraries in particular can help young people become productive and educated adult citizens. This article describes the problems of youth restiveness in Nigeria and makes recommendations on the role of information and libraries in its alleviation.

ABSTRACT Purpose ‐ The purpose of this paper is to investigate the preservation and dissemination of women's cultural heritage in selected university libraries in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach ‐ The descriptive survey research design using questionnaire to collect data was employed. Findings ‐ The study revealed that non-print materials constitute an average of about 28 per cent of the forms in which cultural heritage materials for women are obtained and preserved in some Nigerian leading academic libraries. Over 50 per cent of the respondents in their views agreed that the benefits are accruable when women's cultural heritage materials are kept including enhancement of public perception of women, improvement in accessibility to information about women, improvement in the visibility of women as essential contributors to the development of the society, fostering of tourism among others. The most prominent barrier that the respondents believed could hamper the preservation of women's cultural heritage materials was the adverse tropical climatic conditions. Originality/value ‐ It encourages information experts to engage in capacity building for effective preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage information that are gender related. It also stressed the need for networking and collaboration among information experts as an essential strategy in promoting women's cultural heritage information system. All stakeholders are urged to prioritize and demonstrate fiscal commitment towards the preservation of cultural heritage resources. This paper was presented at IFLA Women, Information and Libraries Satellite Conference, 2012.