The Place of 21st Century Library in the University Environment


The place of the library in the university environment is now being discussed due to concerns about the low quality of university graduates, research output, and the lack of critical thinking among scholars, as well as the loss of philosophy in PhD programs. 

The key responsibility of the library is to provide, disseminate, and preserve scholarly information in the university environment. 

In the 21st century, library services have evolved beyond their physical space to cater to the needs of the "Z" generation, who live in a digital world.

Libraries provide access to digital resources around the world through institutional repositories, subscribed electronic databases, and aggregator search engines. 

Academic libraries have invested significant resources to meet users' needs, but some scholars, professors, and undergraduates still question the relevance of the university library in their pursuit of career development, promotion, and academic success.

The library is a jewel in the university's crown and a crucial building block around which the entire university is built. 

However, when university management, faculty members, staff, and students fail to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the library, the consequences can include low-quality research output, a lack of critical thinking, and uneducated graduates.

This write-up serves as a call to action for university stakeholders and library organizations, both locally and internationally, to develop strategies for improving the declining quality of university graduates. 

To achieve this goal, the university and the library need to work together closely to provide quality educational resources, support research activities, and promote critical thinking among students and scholars. 

The library can also serve as a hub for developing programs and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of graduates, such as workshops, training sessions, and mentorship programs. 

With the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders, the university and the library can play a vital role in enhancing the quality of education and research, and ultimately, producing better graduates.


Azeez ADEOYE

Wizard Librarian.

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