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Association of University Nigerian Librarians Work the Talk: Trained Heads of Digital Library in Abuja – My Experience

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This was not just another meeting, but a train-the-trainer workshop where kingpins in Nigerian university libraries sat together to learn, brainstorm, and reflect on critical technological issues bedevilling university libraries. The event was hosted at the Secretariat of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), Wuse II, Abuja, between 22nd and 26th September 2025. Organised by the Association of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (AULNU) in association with the Nigerian University Library Consortium (NULIB), the workshop carried the theme The Future of Libraries: Leveraging AI Innovations, Tools and Applications. It was a power-packed convergence, with participants drawn from all Nigerian universities, particularly Heads of Digital Libraries Services. The exposures, the conversations, the learning, unlearning, relearning, up-skilling and the discovery at this five-day workshop were deeply insightful and inspiring. Opening Day: Vision and Charge ...
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My PhD Degree is One Year Old: The Journey So Far

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By Azeez ADEOYE (Wizard Librarian) Years of dedication, hard work, sleepless nights, and persistent frustration, all focused on a single goal, were ultimately crowned with the award of a doctorate degree, and the legitimate right to place “Dr” before your name and “PhD” after it. Truly, it was an experience worthy of every sacrifice.  One year down the line, I have tasted both success and failure. I have received volumes of rejection letters: from journal publishers, conference organisers, postdoctoral fellowships, and job opportunities. Earning a PhD does not make you perfect or flawless; it simply means you are teachable, and that you can stay focused on a task until you achieve results. A doctorate degree is a means to an end. Some call it a magical degree, and often liken it to a passport. But just like an international passport, simply possessing it does not guarantee travel. For example, over 75% of Nigerians who hold a Nigerian passport use it merely as a form of identificat...
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The Soul of the Library, From Chaos to Clarity: What Makes a Vibrant Library in a University System?

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The Soul of the Library, From Chaos to Clarity: What Makes a Vibrant Library in a University System? A library is a people-oriented institution that evolves with civilisation. To avert chaos and ensure smooth functioning, libraries rely on a set of guiding principles known as library policies. These policies are not static—they must be regularly updated to address emerging needs and challenges. Yet, in many parts of the Global South, library policies are seen as an unachievable task—a mountain too steep to climb, not something easily conquered or routinely adopted. This perception is misleading. In reality, library policies are not complex. They are usually simple rules, often expressed in a few words, that help govern the day-to-day operations of a library. The existence or size of a library, or the scale of its collection, does not determine whether it needs policies. Any standard library—particularly one led by trained librarians—must operate within the framework of clear poli...
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My Experience at the 63rd Conference and AGM of the Nigerian Library Association, “The Heartbeat” — Benin City, Edo 2025

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My Experience at the 63rd Conference and AGM of the Nigerian Library Association, “The Heartbeat” — Benin City, Edo 2025 By Azeez ADEOYE, Wizard Librarian, azeez.adeoye@fuhsi.edu.ng. Academic conferences are a must-attend for every professional. Their importance cannot be overemphasized—they are avenues to rejuvenate, upskill, relearn, evaluate one’s value, network, volunteer, and reconnect with colleagues. The ongoing NLA Edo 2025 Conference is all these and even more. The theme of the conference, “The 5th Industrial Revolution and the future of Library and Information Service Delivery in a changing world,” is both timely and globally relevant. The keynote speaker, Prof. Prof. Afeisimi Dominic Badaki, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, did thorough justice to the topic. He emphasized that despite the rise of Artificial Intelligence, skilled and tooled librarians remain irreplaceable in the journey toward smart societies. From Day One, the conference was packed with numerous rewarding, im...
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FEAR, CONCERN AND COLLAPSE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS: PERSPECTIVES OF AN ACADEMIA

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FEAR, CONCERN AND COLLAPSE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS: PERSPECTIVES OF AN ACADEMIA By Azeez ADEOYE, Ph.D.  Wizard Librarian, adeoyeazeezphd@gmail.com , azeez.adeoye@fuhsi.edu.ng   Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the buzzword in all human settings in this era — education, hospital, agriculture, transportation, economics, and politics, among others. AI has been in the literature since 1956, and it is more than just a buzzword. In 2025, we now have first‑hand usage of AI in all human activities. AI is a thinking machine — the ability to make machines reason and think like humans. Any device that exhibits this trait is called an AI tool. All conferences, workshops, forums, gatherings, and sessions of intellectuals, technocrats, politicians, and professionals in all walks of life affix AI in their themes, subthemes, and topics of discussion. In gatherings of scholars across Nigeria, the discussion of the use of AI in the education sector is non-stop — with issues, highl...
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Echoes in Empty Halls: The Unseen Crisis of Staffing Shortages in Our Libraries

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Echoes in Empty Halls: The Unseen Crisis of Staffing Shortages in Our Libraries T he alarming shortage of staff in libraries across the federation has become a pressing concern. Recently, I was shocked to observe the extent of this inadequacy. Institutions serving over seven thousand users, managing thousands of volumes in print, non-print, and electronic formats, are being operated by just five library staff members — including the university librarian. This is not only unsustainable but detrimental to the quality of service provided to users. Consider the case of a small library equipped with just one computer, a single room, and three thousand collections. Despite its modest size, it is managed by a professional librarian with a master’s degree, a paraprofessional with a diploma in library science, and two support staff — a secretary and a security personnel. If this is deemed the minimum requirement for a standard library, then what can be said of the state of libraries in other in...
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Harnessing the Power of Digital Tools for Professional Tasks in Libraries

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L ibraries have evolved over the centuries, adapting to advancements in human civilization and technological innovations. The library, as a concept, has endured from the Stone Age to the digital era, continuously shaping and reshaping itself in response to new tools of writing, communication, and information management. The Evolution of Libraries and Information Carriers ·        Ancient Era: Clay Tablets ·        Medieval Period: Papyrus, Parchment ·        Renaissance: The Discovery of Paper ·        Modern Age: Magnetic Tape (Audio-Visual Materials) ·        Baby Boomer Generation: Mainframe Computers ·        Generation X: Laptops, Hard Drives, Flash Drives ·        Millennium Era: Cloud Storage ·        Generation Z: Automation ...
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