Proliferation of Library and Information Science Schools in Nigeria: Issues at Stake and Quality Control.

Abstract

This paper highlighted the key issues at stake by the proliferation of Library and Information Science schools in Nigeria without due regard to the established standards. In terms of physical infrastructure, location, staffing issues, curriculum, laboratories and programme(s). The paper pointed out the use of other departmental facilities, building, over-relying on institutions’ library staff and part-time lecturers from other library schools. The newly established library schools are either located in institutions’ libraries, under consultancy services unit or as a unit of a department with their curriculum produced from the harmonization of older library schools. Other key issues at stake include: inadequate or absence of laboratories, workshops and the use of university librarians or outgoing university librarians as the heads of library schools. Some library schools run diploma while some run degree and/or higher degree respectively. The implication include: provision of inadequate training and acquisition of the low level of skills, over utilization of other departments’ facilities leading to failure in resource evaluation and accreditation. There should be quality control by the regulatory bodies such as National Universities Commission National Board for Technical Education, with Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria/Nigerian Library Association. NUC, NBTE and LRCN should ensure quality control for polytechnics running library and information science programmes in Nigeria. This should be in the areas of: resource evaluation, resources, admission requirement/student population uniform/harmonized curriculum, accreditation commencement of programme at lower level (National Diploma and Bachelor Degree); assessment of academic staff duties in the areas of teaching, administration, research and community services. The paper recommended collaboration among in the development of minimum academic standard and uniform curriculum for Nigerian Polytechnics and similar tertiary institutions running LIS programmes.