Preface
This book provides an introduction to the key ideas, developments, current trends and issues in
library automation. Automation is the current trend and issue in libraries of developing countries
such as Nigeria. Automation refers to the use of machines or electronics in support or in place of
human workers to carry out operation(s) partially or fully. When machine used to support human
operation and human does certain operation in addition to initial instruction given to the machine
that is a 'partial automation'. But where machine used to replace human in an operation and the
machine does entire exercise without human interference after the initial instruction, that is a
complete automation, i.e., 'full-automation' and this is also refers to as mechanization,
computerization, robotic or artificial intelligence. Likewise, library automation implies the use of
machines or electronics in support or in place of human workers to carry out library operations.
Specifically, library automation implies application of computers and similar technologies to
perform traditional library housekeeping activities such as selection, acquisition,
cataloguing, preservation, reference, retrieval, circulation/dissemination and wholesome
control of information resources. Automation is used to reduce the amount of time, effort,
money, space and other resources devoted on repetitive activities done in the library and in
seeking perfection of the job done so as to serve users efficiently. Automation in Nigeria libraries
was slow from the beginnings but got momentum in 2000s. Academic libraries of tertiary
institutions both public and private are the forerunners of automation in Nigeria and some public
and private libraries followed them though most of the public libraries are lagging miles behind.
Kudos to TETFund (Tertiary Education Trust Fund) for supporting automation exercises in
most public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Recently, in addition to what it been doing, TETFund
has supported retrospective conversion of projects/thesis across tertiary institutions in Nigeria and
inter-link of the exercise which our institution benefitted. The fund provided requisite facilities
and training for doing that.
More libraries in Nigeria are keying to the idea of automation as more and more libraries are
gradually automating their systems and services. This development makes most Nigeria libraries
wearing new faces, and the concepts of libraries gradually changing from mere wirehouses of
books to well-organized multimedia centres with variety of services both online and offline,
making the libraries the hybrid format.
As more and more libraries in Nigeria are gradually been automated, librarians will be confronted
with new set of challenges in their job and this is as a result of emerging concepts, trends and
issues in automation that libraries and librarians are yet to familiarise with. Thus, this book is
designed to equip librarians and other library staff with knowledge and techniques of some
current trends and issues related to library automation. The book provides a road map for libraries
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to think and take steps for partial or complete automation. It gives an extensive analysis of major
trends and issues of automation in the three critical stages of library and information work;
acquisition (input), cataloguing (processing), and circulation (output), and presents factors and
issues underpinning the complex process of automation in each of the stages of library and
information work with particular reference to Nigeria libraries. It also describes multimedia
resources, library networking, online cataloguing, and bibliographic databases in brief, and gives
practical ways to accomplish retrospective conversion of projects and thesis in the libraries
relating the experience of Niger State College of Education, Minna library which was supported
by TETFund. An entire chapter is also dedicated to discussion on the general challenges and
prospects of library automation in Nigeria. More importantly, review of empirical studies in
Nigeria related to chapter topic were made for each chapter to relate chapter discussion with what
appears in Nigeria, thus, the titling of the book 'Library automation - Concepts, Current trends
and issues in Nigeria'. Each chapter also includes a helpful review of the chapter (chapter
summary) that may be used as a revision tool to keep readers up to speed with chapter discussions.
Additionally attached to each chapter is review questions for self-evaluation of readers and again,
a self-evaluation form at the end of the book for general chapter evaluation for each reader to
complete and assess his/her ability of understanding the book.
For comment or critic contact:
muhammadalhaji55@gmail.com or
via hotlines: +2347038132066 or +238082251892,
Addressed to:
Muhammad Alhaji Muhammad Enagi
Library Department,
Niger State College of Education,
P.M. B 39, Minna- Nigeria.