Vol. 7 No. 4 (1982): Nigerbiblios: Vol. 7(4),1982

EDITORIAL

Elsewhere in this issue is a report on a survey conducted by the National Library on the National Digest of Library statistics which is worth reading by all. What strikes one in this report is the lack of adequate information on some of our Libraries. Is it that librarians do not keep these records at all or that they are kept in files where they are not accessible? Precisely how many facts do we know about our institutions? Many things are usually taken for granted and this is more disturbing when it is discovered that we are by training information conscious. Part of the report for instance states thus "judging from the information contained In the tables, It would be observed that details like library collection, space available for library purpose, current periodicals and titles held etc. which should be at finger tips of Librarians are not properly kept. These are the normal data that are expected to be given out to vlsltors".The report continues"'"' would be observed that many libraries do not have records of the length of shelve (linear metric) and the number currently In use and some do not even keep records of their book stack, periodicals etc...

It is the view of Nigerbiblios that librarians must start today to keep charts of these records in a way that any staff of the library can answer some of these questions without much difficulty. They should probably be kept in the librarians office and up-dated at the end of each year. We should avoid burying them in files which are not always handy when such questionnaire are received. Running around with a tape rule whenever a questionnaire is received on issues like these is not the best way to provide information that is needed for planning. Fortunately librarianship is a profession that knows how to organise knowledge and what is more Unesco has a standardised format for presentation of these statistics. What is really being advocated by Nigerbibiios is that librarians should now formalise the way these statistics are being collected in-house and make sure that they are updated. We must all remember that whatever is predictable has no element of surprise any longer. Once our records are maintained possibly in form of charts and kept in the chief Librarians office, supplying these figures to inquirers will not be a difficult task. After all we need these statistics to convince our authorities about the growth rate in the library. The moment we start to make some of our proposals in statistical terms, the more those outside the profession will start to understand some of our achievements and proposals. We will be the better for it. But if we do not have the records handy what do we sayIng pursuit of the aspirations envisaged in the previous number in this column, the orientation of work has had to be adjusted. In this respect, clear lines are being drawn to ensure full concentration in the areas of pure professional activities. It is foreseen that these activities will burgeon and consequently forge ramifications that are consistent with national libraries as they are known all over the world. The scope of activities have increased in the last quarter of the century, especially since the national libraries have come to be recognised as an institution encompassing the general reference functions and needs of a nation; Therefore, it becomes imperative to intensify efforts in the direction of the development of personnel of all categories and in the various specialisations where they will be needed.

1. One important area of activity now demanding serious attention is information and documentation service at the base leading ultimately to the development of information systems network. This demands substantial long-term investment in manpower training. The National Library in this regard is looking forward to the establishment of a National Information and Documentation Centre as part of its service to the nation. Also connected with this is the place and the role of other libraries in Nigeria, not only as they relate to the National Library but also in the concept of the national network. The libraries and related agencies have a duty to prepare themselves for this new phase of development of services, to the nation.
2. Other areas crying for attention now have to get it. The cooperation programme featuring acquisition and interlending and involving many libraries is one such area. There is also the copy right information service, a programme initiated a few years ago, but still In gestation. Readership promotion country wide is a national library function. This is a supportive service to public libraries especially. The foregoing is an attempt to portray the complexity of the functions the National Library of Nigeria finds itself called upon to perform in addition to that of conventional reference and research service and research service.

 A. OLUWOLE OLAFIOYE

      Editor