Library Education and Training in Nigeria 1962-2022: A Development of Framework for Skills Needs by LIS Graduate for Functionality and Relevance in the 4IR Era

Abstract

This study examined library education and training in Nigeria 1962-2022, with the purpose of developing a framework for skills needs by LIS graduate for functionality and relevance in the 4IR era. A qualitative approach was adopted using documents analysis of documents downloaded from Web of Science, Research Gate, and Francis and Taylor databases from which a total of 45 retrieved articles were used as data source for the study. Three broad themes were revealed in the information search: namely, LIS education and training in Nigeria, fourth industrial revolution (4IR), library and information science skills and skills development. The findings demonstrate that the curriculum contents is adequate in part but the graduates are found wanting in its inadequate since they cannot applied the skills they acquired through the curriculum contents in their place of work. It was found that LIS have skills to cataloging, index, reference, develop collections, compile bibliographies; partially* search and retrieve information, while rare skills include web-design, database management, trouble-shooting and coding, data analysis, among others. This indicates that LIS graduates in Nigeria mostly possess traditional skills from the three categories in the study and are lacking the fundamental novel skills required by LIS graduates reported in the study are critical thinking, complex problem-solving skills, intelligence, negotiation, people management and decision-making, emotional intelligence, negotiation, cognitive flexibility, and judgment and decision-making, emotional intelligence. The study developed a conceptual framework which serves as basis for the future related studies in Library and Information Science research.