Digitization of Information Resources as a Strategy for the Promotion and Preservation of Nigerian Cultural Heritage

Abstract

This paper canvassed the idea of adopting a strategy for digitizing Nigerian cultural heritage resources by libraries and librarians. The study was necessitated by the fact that documents on Nigerian cultural heritage are fast disappearing. Therefore, they ought to be documented in a more secure format and lasting environment for easy access ibility. Research design adopted was survey. The population used was the 7 0 librarians and information professionals from all over the country who attended a seminar workshop organized by NLA and held at UNN Library, along with 30 members of professi onal s taff making a total of 10 0 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from the respondents. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics . A criterion mean of 2.50 was adopted on the four point likert scale. Result of findings rev ealed that librarians in Nigeria appreci ate the use of digitization to preserve and promote Nigerian cultural heritage. Respondents accepted majority of the items listed as benefits of digitization of cultural materials; types of materials to be digitized, best practices and constraints by an acceptable criterionmean. The paper recommends the creating of web sites to harmonize the scattered resources since Nigerian values and norms will be better appreciated when accessible to many users.

Key Words: Digitization, promotion, preservation, culture, heritage.