Virtual library in Nigerian Universities: a necessity for academic excellence

Abstract

This paper states that virtual library is a child of necessity arising from the need to use technologies in accessing the information overload, or information explosion for human survival and development. Therefore Nigeria should embrace it. However, the main problem facing government policy makers, university management, academic staff, employees, students and families, is that the quality of education in the country has declined significantly, due to inadequate funding in the face of acute inflation and depreciation in the value of the Nigerian currency. Nigerian university libraries have very few current books, journals, and other reading resources. There are staff shortages and deterioration of facilities, equipment and even library buildings. Most of the libraries stand isolated from the global information system – the internet. Yet these libraries are expected to serve as information delivery centers to enable universities make development impact on research, teaching, learning and public service. This paper discusses virtual library and argues that it will improve the quality of education in Nigeria.

University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal Vol. 7(2) 2005: 43-60