PHILOSOPHY, LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SOCIETY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The ceaseless transformation of technologies in information industries has consequently developed the world into what is today known as information society or computer age, creating new opportunities to librarians. It has as well charged them with some basic roles to work significantly for the growth and betterment of the information society. Meanwhile, this paper looks at the nature of information society and the trends of libraries in reference to Nigeria's capacity on the present information society. Seeing the fast tracking nature of advancement on information, this paper pose to evaluate how librarianship in Nigeria actually suits the dynamic environment in the present information society; whether Nigerian librarians fully capture the new technological aspect of information that will eliminate the information gap prevalent among the masses; if the philosophy behind librarianship is really functional; and if the users perfectly access information effectively in personal and/or professional lives. This study however examines the librarianship philosophy and its functional delivery systems within the context of information society in Nigeria. Thus, the methodology adopted in this work is mainly, the library research method. Write-ups and relevant materials on related topics are collated, synthesized and analyzed.