The Nigerian Library Association (NLA) has asked President Bola Tinubu to appoint librarians as senior special advisers (SSA) on library matters and development to serve as liaisons between the government and the citizens.
Mr Dominic Omokaro, President of the NLA, made the appeal at the end of the 61st National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Association held in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Omokaro explained that non-engagement of professional librarians to advise the government and serve as liaisons between the government and the citizenry was equally an impediment to library collaboration and partnership.
He said there was a need for effective collaboration between the government and librarians to address challenges affecting the development of the Library and Information Science (LIS) profession in Nigeria.
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“There is the need for the three tiers of government to appoint librarians as senior special advisers(SSA) on library matters and development as this will galvanise library collaboration and development in Nigeria,” he added.
Mr Omokaro revealed that inadequate facilities and infrastructure are part of the factors militating against effective partnership and collaboration with the government in promoting information science.
According to him, the non-employment of librarians by the Federal Civil Service Commission to replace ageing and retiring librarians from the service was also negatively affecting library collaboration and partnership.
While soliciting for collaboration between the Nigerian Library Association and other professional associations, Mr Omokaro called for the promotion of national and international scholarship, sponsorship, knowledge sharing, linkages and other cooperative endeavours.
No fewer than 40 papers were presented by Library and Information Science professionals from across the country at the event with a theme titled “Promoting Library Collaboration in a Changing World.”
Daily Trust reports that the NLA, however, resolved to strengthen collaboration and partnership in the Library and Information Science sector in Nigeria in a communique issued at the event.
