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Problems Of E-Library In Nigeria And Possible Solutions

What is E-Library?

According to Collins Dictionary, e-Library also known as an Electronic, Digital or online Library, where Books, Journals, Novels, Articles and other vital information can be accessed.

Also the Law Dictionary, states that e-Library is considered as a data base, where digital audio, video, and other written information are stored on a website, for 24 Hours constant access, and availability.


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The E-library can vary in size and scope. This can be managed and maintained by organizations, individuals, or established with physical library buildings or in academic Institutions.

Read Also: 10 Problems of Nigerian Library and Possible Solutions

Problems Of E-Library In Nigeria And Possible Solutions
E-Library In Nigeria – Photo Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com

The data base can be stored locally or accessed from different computer networks. The e-library can also serve as a form of Information retrieval system.

These systems used for information retrieval must exchange information with interoperability and be of sustainable friendliness.

Interoperability means the ability to exchange data without any form of restriction in access. In ensuring sustainability, the system must continue to comply constant and reliable information that is accessible.

The E-Library enables one to search a database, view scanned documents, or scanned images. The Library will enable for these documents and images to be uploaded and printed to the Computer.

History of E-Library

The concept for an Electronic Library came up in 1892, from ideas from a man called Paul Outlet. It was to find ways to stop violent wars, destroy National Boundaries, and allow for a more balanced society.

He had discussed it in his book Birth of information Age. The Book had discussed about how great of an idea for Documents, Books, Audio and video, can be found in one system.

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He and another man called Heri La Fontaine, created Mundaneum, in 1910. This was based on Documentation Science. It is the study of recording and retrieval of Information.

Soon, Mandaneum, was soon established as a non-government Organization, based in Morris, Belgium. The Organization run exhibition space, website and archive that celebrates the legacy of the original Mundaneum.

This similar to the internet, which is said to be a global system of interconnected Computer System that uses what they call Internet Protocol suite (TCP/IP).

This is the Model, which is used for the Internet and other Computer Networking. It was also used to link Devices together.

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The interconnected network could be Private or Public business Organization, academic institutions of local content, and then connecting it globally. This could be by way of Wireless Electronic and Networking Technologies.

The Internet carries a large Information Services and Resources. This comprises of World Wide Web, and electronic mail.

The internet was commissioned in the United States Federal Government, from 1960s. This was to build a fault tolerant communication network.

The linking of connected Commercial Networks and Business Enterprises, brought about the beginning of the internet in the 1990. By the 2000s, the Internet became the Technology, which was incorporated into Human Lives.

Other Contributors like Vannevar Bush and JCR Licklider, advanced a newer Technology. Bush was the researcher that assisted in the making of Bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, during the World War.

After the Bombing, he wanted a machine that could be a Technology of understanding that would avoid Destruction. He named the Machine called Memex.

The Machine was to include a desk with two Screens, Switches and Buttons, with the Key Board. This Machine was to enable Individuals, access books and flies, at amazing speed.

Ford Foundation a non-government Organization, funded the man called Licklider, to analyse how storage in libraries can be improved, using Technology.

In his Book, titled Libraries of the Future, he stated that he wanted to create a system that accessed using computers and network for knowledge. This new system brought about the Electronic Library. It was now possible to share resources and expand materials.

In 1966, the Education Resources Information Centre was established for an Electronic Library, in 1966. In 1944, about $24.4 million US Dollars, as United States Federal Government, is being funded to six Universities.

Among the Schools were University of Illinois, University of Michigan, University of Stanford, Carnegie-Mellon University, University of California-Santa Barbara, and University of California- Berkeley.

Library development in Nigeria is still developing in Nigeria. With the enactment of the National Library Act 1964. After the passage of the Act, several Seminars was held in Ibadan.

There was an agitation for the network creation of Libraries, which will provide educational materials that are of intellectual in nature, and accessible to Nigerians.

The Libraries will be funded by the Nigerian Federal Government. A national advisory committee was set up and it recommended that a national library should be established for providing intellectual information, of any kind, accessible to all Nigeria.

The construction of the Library actually started in 1962, but the Library opened in 1964. The National Library of Nigeria, soon had Branches  in  States  including Lagos. The Headquarters of the Library formerly in Lagos, moved to Abuja, in 1995.

Since the year 2000, Schools in Nigeria including Higher Institutions have attempted to introduce Electronic library, to provide Educational materials for its Students for better Research.

Nigeria soon had public cyber café, or Business centres, where individuals carry out research to source for Books, Audio and even Resource Materials from online Journals or Articles.

Importance of E- Library

a. The Electronic Library ensures collection of documents, of which complete contents are created and converted for computer use. The accessibility in the Computer, is for online use.

b. The purpose of an Electronic Library is to better create and organize distribution of information resources. The collection of Resources is to cover every human endeavour that would be vital for the society,

c. Electronic Libraries should be seen as a logical extension for a physical Library. It allows for broader access to resources and materials used as information. Access to more resources gives way for providing new possibilities, for adequate retrieval of information.

d. According to an Author, E A. Fox, Electronic Library, provides new ways to function in compassing information, providing better ways of collection of data or information, and better ways of providing more effective storage.

e. A Fox also states that Electronic Library allows for new approaches, for classification and cataloguing, by intensive use of computer networks.

f. Electronic Libraries, allows for more flexible ways to organize intellectual resources and materials, to ensure quick access to information or data.

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Benefits of E-Library

a. The E library has generated an Information Technology Environment, for individuals to improving education and this enables for improving skill for meaningful employment.

Individuals begin to change from the traditional way of using a library, using computer technology to access, image, videos, and audio books, books, online resources, articles or Journals.

b. Digital or Electronic Libraries work faster in speed, as its easier to access information quicker. This is unlike the traditional Library.

With a digital library, workers are able to work more effectively. Academics are able to carry out their research easily, because of easy access to resource materials or relevant information,

c. Digital Libraries unlike the traditional Libraries, can ensure the latest knowledge of information. The information will be updated regularly to give adequate opinions on a certain matter, Latest knowledge could be in education, science, environment and politics etc.

d. Digital or electronic libraries, ensures for storing enlarged materials for information. For example, data sheets, no matter how large or small can be compressed and stored in a computer.

e. Digital or Electronic library ensures for increased space for storage. As the space increases, the technology becomes more portable in nature. The compact disk or a DVD, in a system can help store large materials, and information.

f. Electronic Libraries ensure services like the online reference books, which are used to impact knowledge on a particular field or study.

These books are designed to new technologies such as audio books, video clips, and learning aids to be used by individuals.

Problems of E Library in Nigeria:

1. High Cost Of Establishment

Digital or Electronic Libraries are very expensive to install even in the physical libraries. It is expected that governments need funding to be able to acquire an effective electronic library, Funding can be by government, non-government organizations, private or public enterprises.

It’s expensive to even establish cyber café or business centres for library services. This is because there will be need, for example to set up electronic network like computers, tablets, IPads, printers or scanners.

There will be need to set up services like the email (used for online messages), World Wide Web and Automated Web search used to research, on the internet, for a particular information or material, relating to a course of study, field or endeavour.

For example, the National Library of Nigeria, needed funding.  Both the Nigerian Federal Government and Non-governmental Organization, named Ford Foundation helped to complete construction of National Library in 1964.

Although the National Library had Branches in different States in Nigeria, it had not sufficiently installed e libraries, in its physical buildings. This is due to lack of sufficient funding, for high cost of installation of the E library.

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2. Problem Of Classification And Catalogue Of Published Works

Digital or Electronic Library aids classification and cataloguing according to international standards. This enables for online publishing which is accessible, in the E- Library.

E-Library allows for access to online Journals, Articles, or Resource materials. The National Library of Nigeria, had such problems.

The Library had problems getting researchers, and Lecturers, to endeavour to publish their work, according to International Standard.

There was need for authors, researchers, or academics to acquire the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) and the International Standard Book Number (ISBN), to enable for better organization of published works. This would not be possible without upgraded Technology for E-library, to be put in place.

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3. Dependency On Technology

There is too much reliance on technology to operate Computers, or E-Library effective. Technology often is upgraded either by a new software or application, and would require Adjustments or Amendments.

E-Library will have issues in operating effectively without Internet networks and a good Electronic Device. Most Libraries in Nigeria do not have the E-Library, because information Technology is not easily accessible.

Internet Providers in Nigeria, provide Wireless or Broad Band connections that is not affordable to most. Offices and Business Organizations, find it almost difficult to make payment for monthly subscriptions, for Internet. Without using the Internet, availability of Electronic Library would be impossible.

4. Training And Skill

Operation of the E-Library requires a lot of Skill and Training from the User. The User should be able to access the materials and resources, needed to acquire knowledge and information.

Training of an individual, using the E-Library, enables for skills acquired to gain employment. However, most Libraries in Nigeria, do not have the skills on how to operate the E-library.

Most Librarians do not know how to use the Computers or access the Electronic Library.  Many Libraries in Nigeria, still acquire information or data through outdated materials, articles, books, or Journals.

Most Students at the higher Institutions, find it difficult to use the E library. This is in relation to the non-availability of Computers, or Internet networks.

Students write out their school assignments merely by using textbooks or materials that may be outdated for their school projects.

It is due to this that such Students, find it difficult to use the Internet to assess the E library services, in Schools, which will enable them study properly.

Students in Schools in Nigeria are not taught to be computer literate which make them more unable to equip with recent knowledge, through E. Library.

The lack of Student knowledge of Computer Literacy, was a recent lamentation from Nigerian Joint Admissions Matriculation Board.

The Board organizes a unified exam system for Students, seeking admission into the Nigerian Universities. The Board observed that Students, are not able to use the Computer Based Testing, used for the examinations.

Most of the Student Candidates barely knew how to operate the computer device and this affected their academic performance.

The Board lamented that there was need for more electronic learning centres in Schools or in Public. This will enable more Individuals, have better knowledge on Information Technology.

5. Copyright Issues

Digital or Electronic Library does not control piracy of intellectual works or duplication of another Individual’s Research, Journals or Articles, which may be carried out by the user.

Individuals like Researchers, Academics or Lecturers, may copy works of others published online. However, there has been caution for such to be stopped or resisted, the Electronic Library does not provide much protection.

The Legislation called the Copy Right and Patent Act in Nigeria, has been put in place to combat piracy or duplication of works without the consent of the Original owner.

The failure of Compliance, based on the act will attract Imprisonment or Fine. Although the Legislation is in place, and threat of punishment for noncompliance, it has not prevented for example, Students, Academics, or Individuals, from committing Plagiarism (i.e. passing off of someone’s work for your own).

The Electronic Library has the little means to checking Plagiarism, while individuals make use of its broad resources and materials.

6. Privacy Issues

Digital or Electronic Library does not ensure protection of published Works, like the online Journals, Articles, Books and Resource Materials.

This is because E-Library can be easily accessible, and its contents can be scanned or printed, from a computer. This is to mean that individuals can read published works from audio books, articles or Journals published online.

Authors find it difficult to hide their published works online because E library, ensures that whatever is available online.

This allows for individuals to easily gain latest knowledge of Information. It also allows for adequate research, or information, based on online published works.

At the moment, the only main legislation in Nigeria that regulates the privacy of Nigerians is the section 37 of the 1999 constitution, of the Federal republic of Nigeria.

It states that citizens should be granted their privacy either by correspondence, in their homes, telegraphic communications of any kind.

Correspondence and telegraphic communications, include emails or messages. There is need for better privacy regulations for Nigerians.

7. Power Supply Generation

Digital or Electronic libraries, cannot operate effectively without constant electricity supply. Nigeria has poor service of Power Generation.

Most States in the Country, hardly generates less than 18hous of Power Supply. This does not make the use of E-Library, fully Operational.

Solutions For E-Library In Nigeria:

1. Building Centres To Promote E-Library Service

Recently, Nigerian Tertiary Institutions have begun to provide centres where E-libraries, are to be located. For University of Benin had already established an E library centre known as AfriHub.

This is to improve Students’ ability to access the Library to carry out research, school projects or Assignments. Also on 23rd February, 2017, the National Library has had donated Books and set of computers to University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

This was to encourage more Students having access to more resources and materials, establishing centres, by promoting use of Electronic Library, for easier school work activities.

Public Libraries in Nigeria, should also have instalments of E-library services, to upgrade for wider storage of intellectual materials and Resources.

On 3rd of February, 2017, the National Library of Nigeria, recently started the construction of Electronic Library centres in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. This is to upgrade their services to broaden access to more Materials and Resources.

More Business centres, or cyber café should be made available to allow for internet access. This will allow for Individuals to access the E library through other means.

There is need for proper establishment of centres to promote the use of E library. This will enable for better access to information.

2. Affordable Internet Services For Easier Access Of E-Library

Nigeria has internet services ranging from wireless, broad band and mobile internet services. Unfortunately, the services are generally not very cheap.

Monthly subscription for even the Mobile internet services, is as high the price of N1500. Wireless or broad band services are as high from the price of N10, 000 and above.

Telecommunication companies in Nigeria, who offer internet services place heavy tariffs on their consumers, to enable them pay their taxes, for Government.

There is need to make internet service providers, make their network affordable and more convenient for users. Once there is affordable access of internet, users can reach sources of E-libraries operating locally or even globally.

3. Better Funding To Enable For More Libraries

Nigeria needs more access to Electronic Libraries, which should have more locations. For example the National Library of Nigeria, has been unable to spread its locations to all the States in Nigeria.

This is due to lack of funding. Construction and equipping a Library is very expensive. There is need for not only Nigerian Federal Government funding, but Private Enterprises Partnership.

Ford Foundation had over the years, helped in providing funds to construct and equip the National Library of Nigeria since it opened in 1964.

Other Organizations that help equip libraries in Nigeria, are UNESCO (United Nation Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), and Rotary International. They provide Audio Books, Resource materials, and Learning Aids for the Libraries

There is need for other sources of funding apart from Government participation, to build more Libraries, in Nigeria.

4. Better Legal Regulations For E-Library Use

Government must make up better policies to ensure better use of the E-library in Nigeria. Legislation such as the Copy right Act of Nigeria may not be enough to stop individuals from duplicating other people’s work.

Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution is the only standard legislation that covers for the Privacy Rights of Nigerians. There should be a new legislation that covers privacy of individuals using data as well. An example of such Legislation Nigeria can adopt is the Consumer and Data protection Act.

The law is being adopted by social Media like Face book to grant consumers, more privacy while using their data. It also allows Consumers to control how they use their data while on Social Media.

This idea is very good if applied also to other internet service providers in Nigeria. It will save cost and also make internet services, like E-library affordable and accessible.

Read Also: Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola

5. Better Computer Literacy Training Programmes

For individuals to be use E- Library Services, there must be accurate knowledge o how to use electronic devices like the computer.

Individuals when trained should have acquired necessary skills, to retrieve information and other intellectual resource materials.

In Schools, Administration can organize worships, seminars and conferences to talk about the computer literacy. Computer Courses should be taken by Individuals, Academics, or any Professional, to enable them have better knowledge on the use of technology.

6. Funding For Better Internet Service Network

In Nigeria, there is challenge of providing the best internet service. Nigerian Telecommunication Companies offer internet services which have been used in Schools, Business organizations, Firms, Non-government Organisation, Private or Public Enterprises.

Yet, the internet services experiences technical hitches, hereby generating very poor service, to Consumers. Lack of Business consistency occurring among Internet service providers, especially in Telecommunication companies, have not provided enough investment, for Technological Development in Nigeria. This is as a result of frequent Business takeovers.

Conclusion

Gaining broader resources, and materials, can be possible with the instalment of E-libraries, in physical Library buildings. E-libraries can be easily as accessible locally or globally, on the internet.

However, for Individuals, Academics, researchers or even Lecturers, needs training to gain knowledge about Computers and internet networks.

Availability of E- Library services, will ensure broader and more flexible organizing, classification, retrieval of Resource Materials and Information.

Key Words: Information, Power Supply, Technology, Non-Government Organization, E-Library, Copyrights And Patents Act, Internet, Computers, Resource Materials, 1999 Consitution, Solutions, Consumer And Data Protection Act, Legislation, Skills,Training,Telecommunication, Companies, Network, Technology, Services, Business Organization.

References:

Bush, Vannavar, As We May Think, (July 1995) Mit Press P.37

David Oluranti, Data And Privacy Law In Nigeria, Nigerianlawtoday.Com >Accessed 15th March, 2018.

Grace Nok, The Challenges Of Computerizing A University Library In Nigeria: The Case Of Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Library Philosophy And Practice Vol 8 No 2(Spring 2006) Issn 1522-0222.

Lenagan, Smeaton, James, Aton F, Video Libraries: Contributive And Decentralized (January 2017), Springer 273-284.

Mandaneum, Mandaneum Exihibition Space>Accessed On 16th March, 2018.

National Library Of Nigeria, Apex Library Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria Web Site, Gov. Nln Ng.> Assessed On 15th March, 2018.

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Cynthia Juwah-Ogboi

Cynthia Juwah-Ogboi is a Content Developer at InfoGuideNIgeria.com. InfoGuide Nigeria is a team of Resource Persons and Consultants led by Ifiokobong Ibanga. Page maintained by Ifiokobong Ibanga. If you need a personal assistance on this topic, kindly contact us.

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