Nigerian Libraries and National Development in the Digital Age

Abstract

The paper highlights the possible role of Nigerian libraries in national development, especially in the prevailing Digital Age. It is guided by  five objectives including discussing the state of Nigerian libraries in the Digital Age, highlighting indices of development and  establishing the place of Nigerian libraries in national development. The paper also established that Nigerian libraries have the potentials  to serve as a platform for development of Nigeria in the Digital Age. This is hinged on the provision of certain tools and  infrastructure including library buildings, computer hardware and software, training and re-training of staff and provision of adequate  funding. Several challenges were identified as hindering the effectiveness of libraries and paper concludes by recommending that librarians and professional bodies should step up advocacy and love for the library profession as a ladder for the attraction of patronage  and attention to Nigerian libraries.