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DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE A bi-annual publication

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DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE A bi-annual publication

FROM THE HOD’S DESK

We are happy that the third issue of this newsletter is on schedule. The first set of students admitted to the department commenced their programme last year October. Sixty seven (67) students are at the first year level of our B. Sc. Library and Information Science degree programme and 24 students at the second year level.

I am happy that our staffing has improved since the last issue of this newsletter. Dr Issa and Dr. Adeyinka Tella, have been appointed as Senior Lecturer and Lecturer Grade 1 respectively. Dr. A. O. Issa holds PhD Library and Information Studies from the University of Ibadan. He has previously taught at Ahmadu Bello University, the Federal Polytechnic Offa and Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode. Dr. Adeyinka Tella holds P.hD Library and Information Science from the University of Botswana. He has previously taught at the Department of

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of these two senior academic staff members, in addition to the two professors already in the department, it is hoped that a PhD programme will commence soon in the department.

The Department is improving on its resource facilities. There is the computer laboratory and resource centre, which will house computers and cataloguing tools for learning and teaching purposes only. Also, a departmental library is on the cards, which will be used mainly as a learning laboratory. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, has been very supportive in providing these facilities.

In order to ensure that graduates of the department are finished products, the department has decided to infuse into its curriculum a series of workshops, especially in the areas of information and communications technology and organization of knowledge (cataloguing, classification and indexing). Workshops in the two areas will be held once in a semester. The workshops will concentrate on practicals. Experts in the department and practitioners outside the department will be invited from time to time as resource persons. The first in the series of the workshops was held early this year for the students. It was a two-day workshop organized by the computer technologists in the department. It focused on computer basics, Microsoft Word and Excel, Internet and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Prof. L.O. Aina

ICT AND LIS CURRICULUM

The early part of a new year is often synonymously rendered in dual profile, looking both forward and backward. What better patron could there be for this period which involves so much planning for new projects, strategies, and so much hindsight.

With a fresh year stretching before us, it is appropriate time to begin to take time to concentrate on skills and commit to hard work and diligence to laying a firm foundation for the next tier of success for our newsletter, students, staff, university, LIS professions and industry as a whole.

Teaching of ICT skills in LIS education has become imperative in the face of onslaught of ICT tools notably the Internet, into the library and information world. Recent shift in LIS curriculum to reflect ICT skills is evident in the curriculum of our library school and other library schools across the world. Much as this will be challenging and expensive, this is the way forward even though we do not request for wholesale computing due to obvious reasons and fact that the ICT tools keep evolving and keeping tabs on these by library schools may be impossible.

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To this end, our library school kick-started with a hands-on two day workshop for our 100 and 200 level students on computer basics and applications, critical to our information profession (read full details on pages 3-4). Students also had tours and paid visits to various communities in and outside Ilorin metropolis to assess information needs of people. The Associate Editor, Mrs. H. B. Ademolake, also took time off to interview one of the new staff members, Dr. Tella from the University of Botswana who just assumed duty.

Gbola Olasina

Editor

A TWO-DAY WORKSHOP ON PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER FOR 100 & 200 LEVEL STUDENTS

A two-day workshop was organized by the academic technologists (Mrs. O. R. Ogunlade & Mrs. A.L. Abdulhakeem), in the Department to expose the 100 and 200 level students of our Department to practical applications of computer in order to enhance students’ efficiency on the use of computer and its applications and to give hands – on experience and complement class lectures.

The workshop took place at the Mass Communication (PTDF Computer Lab). On Thursday 14th to Friday 15th January, 2010 between 9:00am and 3:00pm daily. Each student had access to a desktop PC and rarely two students had to share one. The desktop PCs were Internet connected and this facilitated the online search and browsing skills phases of the workshop. Attendance by the students was above 90% on both days of the workshop. The workshop ended with practical hands-on for the students in the lab.

The workshop is to be a regular feature alongside the more regular practical lab sessions that accompany every of our practical based courses to be overseen by the two technologists in the department (practical classes for ICT courses and those on organization of knowledge, etc)

The contents of the workshop included;

Computer Basics: Description of Computer and basic parts such as Hardware, Software etc. and relations with the library and information profession.

Microsoft Office Applications ----Introduction to Microsoft -Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Internet Related: Basic internet terms such as Internet, www, Web Browser etc.

Interactive Section/Questions & Answers: Some of the students asked questions on how to use yahoo discussion group in which they were enlightened. Also, some students were asked to teach their colleagues on Microsoft-PowerPoint, making the workshop lively and interesting.

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ACTIVITIES OF STAFF MEMBERS

Mrs H.B Ademolake, Associate Editor, donated a pigeon hole to the department and said her idea was borne out of the fact that virtually every other department had one, making it easy to retrieve individual mails by staff.

She dedicated it to Allah (God) for sparing her life, that of her family and finally to all the staff of the Department. The HOD was on hand to dedicate it and thanked her for her kind gesture, in a brief ceremony witnessed by all staff members.

Departmental orientation programme for our new 100 and 200 level students held on 7 January 2010 and was attended by all staff members including Messrs M.L. Akanbi and A.L. Folorunsho, both on their PhD programmes in Malaysia, the Sub-Dean, Mr. Babatunde, the Faculty Officer, Mr. Femi Adewuyi and the President of the students’ faculty association (Communication and Information Science Students Association) Mr. Abdulrasak Daud Opeyemi.

It was a good opportunity for the HOD, Prof. L.O. Aina, who also chaired the occasion and all staff members and students to interact on quite a number of issues. At the end of the programme, students had opportunity to ask questions.

Mr. S.A. Olarongbe and Mrs H.B. Ademolake both gained admission to University of Ibadan to pursue their master’s degree programme beginning 2009/2010 academic session. Wishing them a successful completion of the programme.

Dr. Abdulwahab Issa and Dr. Adeyinka Tella, assumed duties as Senior Lecturer and Lecturer I respectively this year. The LIS Newsletter Team and indeed the department wish them a successful stay in the department.

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Prof. L.O. Aina was appointed the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences in August 2009.

Prof. L.O Aina attended the 75th IFLA World Library and Information Congress and General Conference, 18-23 August 2009, Milan, Italy.

Prof. L.O. Aina attended the Department of Library and Information Studies (DLIS) 2009 Biennial International Conference on Managing Information in the Digital Era, 14 - 16 October, 2009, Gaborone, Botswana.

Prof. L.O. Aina presented a paper entitled “Challenges of Managing Indigenous Knowledge in an African Setting” at the Culture, Science and Sustainable Development in Africa [CSSDA 2009] Conference, 28- 30 September 2009, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Prof. Aina served as external examiner at Edo State University, 12-14 January 2010, Ekpoma, Nigeria

REPORT OF FIELD TRIP TO INFORMATION INSTITUTIONS IN ILORIN BY STUDENTS OFFERING THE COURSE LIS101: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION PROFESSIONS

On 7th of December, 2009, ninety-two (92) students of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences (CIS), University of Ilorin, had a field trip to four (4) information institutions in Ilorin, namely: Unilorin Press, COMSIT (Computer Service and Information Technology) Directorate, Lara Bookstore & Unilorin Main Library.

The field trip was part of the requirements for a faculty-based course, “Introduction to Information Professions”, a 2-credit unit core course in the Department of Library and Information Science, designed to introduce students to the foundations of information professions. Likewise, on the trip were students from two other departments in the faculty: Information and communication science and Telecommunication Science.

The University Bus had been obtained to convey the students on their first field trip in the “better by far University” (Unilorin). At 10.45am, the team, which comprised 92 students, 3 lecturers and 1 (one) technologist from the Department of Library and Information Science took off from the faculty car park, Block 10 to the University press, at the mini campus.

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On arrival at the University press, the team was received by the Manager of the Press, Mr. Ogunyinka who introduced the students to the University of Ilorin press. The manager, traced the historical development of printing from the time when human thoughts and ideas were documented on clay tablets, stone, etc, by scribes using cuneiform and hieroglyphics writing systems to the 15th century when movable types was invented by a German printer, Johannes Gutenberg. He further emphasized on the contribution of Chinese to the development of printing even before the invention of movable types. After this introduction, the students were divided into groups and each group was conducted round the printing machines and facilities at the University Press.

The next port of call was the COMSIT training centre, also at the mini campus of the University. At the centre, the team was received by Mr. Olanrewaju of the centre, and the students were equally divided into three groups, where instructors at the centre introduced them to computer applications and database management.

At the Lara Bookstore, Mr. Oluwadaisi who represented the director of the bookstore, Mr. Mejabi, welcomed the students to the bookstore and explained different methods used by the store in acquiring books and other printed materials from authors to publishers and vendors.

The trip was rounded up with a trip to the University of Ilorin library. The team was received by Mrs Fadayomi the Deputy University Librarian (Automation) and acting University Librarian, after which the students were conducted round the various units of the library in groups. At each of the units, officers in charge educated the students on the functions of the units to the goals and mission of the library.

In conclusion, the field trip exposed the students to practical knowledge in the field of information profession which complemented the theoretical knowledge acquired in the class room from the beginning of the semester.

Courtesy:

Mr.Abdulmumin Isah

UNILORIN-WIDE COURSEWARE DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Courseware development on all the courses offered at the University of Ilorin has moved to the final stage of upload to the University website, as reported by the Collator, Mr. A. A. Salman. About eight departments submitted both hard and soft final copies of the courseware in their various departments to the courseware development committee so far. Other departments promised to submit theirs immediately after the harmattan semester examination. The committee will meet

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appraisal. This is to ensure that, the adopted template is strictly adhered for uniformity in the structure of all the courseware before final upload.

Furtherstill, Dr.(Mrs.) O.V. Mejabi has accepted the baton of leadership of the committee from Professor L.O. Aina, who is now ex-officio of the committee. Shortly after the change of Leadership in December 2009, the committee held a one-day sensitization workshop for the Faculty of Education in preparation for the development of courseware for the Post Doctoral Diploma in Education (P.D.D.E) programme. In realization of the laudable objective, a three-day retreat is scheduled to hold first week of March 2010, in order to facilitate the development of courseware on the PDDE courses numbering about twelve (12) in first semester and fourteen (14) in second semester.

INTERVIEW WITH DR. ADEYINKA TELLA

Q1. Tell us a little about yourself?

I had my secondary education between 1984 -1988 and proceeded to St Andrews College of Education Oyo in 1989 and finished in 1992. I gained admission to the University of Ibadan in 1996, where I studied and graduated in 1999 by obtaining B.Ed in Guidance and Counselling/ Political Science.

I enrolled for master’s degree at the University of Ibadan in 2001; graduated in 2002 with M. Ed degree in Guidance and Counselling. I enrolled immediately for another master’s degree in Library and Information Studies at the University of Ibadan in 2002, where I obtained MLS degree (Masters in Library and Information Science) in 2004.

I enrolled for PhD in Guidance and Counselling (Testing and Assessment Option) in 2004 at the University of Ibadan, Department of Guidance and Counselling and had spent 3 semesters before the release of the Commonwealth Scholarship results which I had earlier applied for.

With the award of Commonwealth Scholarship, I was enrolled at the University of Botswana, Botswana; in Southern Africa in October 2005, where I obtained PhD in Library and Information Science. I am married and with two children.

Q2. Views about library schools in Nigeria

Library schools in Nigeria are doing fine just like their counterparts in the international environment in the area of teaching, learning and research. However, there is need to lay much emphasis on the use of ICT so that our products can become skillful, ICT literate and possess the necessary

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To facilitate this, library schools in the country are called upon to provide ICT equipment for the use of the students.

My experience during my PhD programme in Botswana was fantastic. I was exposed to what was happening around the world as far as library and information science was concerned. There were many facilities provided to facilitate teaching and research at the university. For instance, I communicated with my supervisors online on most occasions and we rarely met on one basis except for clarification of issues.

I was never a reviewer before I left

Nigeria. I left with just fifteen publications

and now returned with about fifty. The first

two articles I published in Botswana

made some journals to extend their

invitation to me to become their reviewer

and editorial member.

One very interesting thing I will

like to mention is the fact that the

University of Botswana library

subscribed to many journals both

prints and electronic and housed

many volumes of recent books. The

issue of not accessing required

journal articles to review literature for my

thesis or books to do assignments did not

occur. Besides, of the smart classrooms

designed to facilitate e-learning,

each faculty and even some departments had their own computer labs which operated 24/7 and remained accessible to students at all levels.

I will like the PhD students and those who are aspiring to enroll for the programme, to understand the fact that PhD is not for boys and girls but rather men and women who are strong and energetic, ambitious and courageous, committed, dedicated, industrious and hardworking. If brilliant and intelligent, they should know how to play the politics of the programme with the supervisors and superiors, be open minded for knowledge, humble and always avoid argument especially with their supervisors. This is because the boss will always be the boss. They should bear in mind that, “uneasy lies the head that wears the crown and nothing good comes so easy.”

Q3. About the NLA and Professionalism

Well, let me say that there is need for the association to let the government and the people know that we exist just like other professional bodies like MAN, NMA, PAN, NBA, NACA, ANA, etc. We can achieve this through our programmes and

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by marketing our profession. There should always be issuance of communiqué at the end of all annual congresses and conventions. Members as well should know what they are doing.

Send us your news…

keep in touch with LIS! @ Department of Library & Information Science, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. Head of Department: Prof. L.O. Aina

(ainalo2000@yahoo.com).

Editorial Team: Gbola Olasina (olasina.g@unilorin.edu.ng 08033292529) and Mrs H.B. Ademolake (ademolake.hb@unilorin.edu.ng 07039024761) Business Manager: Mr K. T. Omopupa omopupa_kt@yahoo.com 08035929538) & Assistant Business Manager: Mr. S.A. Olarongbe (shittashuaib@yahoo.com

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