NLA IT SECTION HOLDS 18TH ANNUAL LITT WORKSHOP/CONFERENCE AT UNIABUJA

The Nigerian Library Association Information Technology Section held her 18th Library and Information Technology Today (LITT) Workshop/Conference at the University of Abuja from Sunday, October 13th and to Friday, October 18, 2024. The conference is an annual gathering of library professionals to expose them to new technologies and how such can be integrated to enhance library services. This year’s workshop/conference themed “Technology-Driven Libraries: Creating a Smart Future”, was a hybrid one which saw participation both physically and online. Furthermore, five 400-level students of Library and Information Science from different institutions were provided the opportunity to attend the conference through a scholarship scheme set up by the association.

Highlights of Each Day of the Conference/Workshop:

 Day One

The day began with a welcome address from the host and chairman of the Nigerian Library Association Information Technology Section, Mr Agwu Patrick Uzodinma who said that Nigerian librarians must lead the way in digitising library activities.

 This was followed by the session on paper presentation where librarians presented papers both physically and virtually on various topics touching on artificial intelligence and library services and received feedback from the audience.

 Mr. Agwu Patrick enjoined the presenters to take note of the feedback from the audience and effect necessary corrections so they could re-submit their papers at the end of the conference.

 Next was a session on “The Rise of Smart Libraries: Transforming Information Access” facilitated by Mr. Agwu Patrick where the audience was introduced to AI tools to help simplify basic library tasks as well as preparing power points.

 After this was a session facilitated by Dr. Azeez Adeoye on “Unlocking Global Recognition Strategies for 21st Century Scholars to Boost Visibility, Impact Factor and H-index”. Among other valuable information, Dr. Adeoye stressed on the need for librarians to take advantage of various online platforms to boost their visibility. “An individual should strive for visibility in their field and connect that field to what is in trend,” he said. The session also provided practical demonstrations on how librarians could use these platforms (Google Scholar, ORCiD, etc).

 The day ended with a PostgreSQL session facilitated by Dr. Sunday Tunmibi.

Day Two

 Day two was the opening ceremony, which saw in attendance the acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Admin, Prof. Philip Afaha; the University Librarian, UniAbuja, Prof. Ebele Anyaoku; the President and Chairman of Council, NLA, Lbrn. Pst. Dominic Amenaghawon Omokaro;  West African Library Association (WALA) President, Dr. James O. Daniel; the former University Librarian, UniAbuja, Prof. Roseline Ifeoma Echezona; representative of the National Librarian/CEO of the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Prof. Chinwe Anunobi; Representative of the  Director, Education Resource Center Abuja, Hajiya Dr. Neemat D. Abdulrahim; former PRO, NLA, Aare Tunji Okegbola; amongst other important dignitaries.

 The day featured a keynote address titled “Technology-Driven Libraries: Creating a Smart Future” delivered by Prof. Ebele Anyaoku who stated, among others, that library search tools have evolved from the traditional card catalogues to technology-driven tools like OPAC. The Co-Chairman of the opening ceremony, the University Librarian of Baze University, Abuja and President of WALA, Dr. James Daniel also gave a welcome address where he stated, amongst other key things, that libraries across the world are embracing new technologies. He charged librarians to continue, “exploring new technologies that can enhance the services we provide” as well as advocate “for policy reforms to ensure that libraries receive the necessary funding and basic infrastructure support.”

While delivering his remarks, the Chairman of the NLA IT Section, Mr. Patrick U. Agwu said “As we chart the course toward a smart future for libraries, it is crucial to keep our core mission in focus—serving our communities, enabling access to knowledge, and fostering lifelong learning for all. The solutions we explore this week will empower libraries to be more inclusive, resilient, and adaptive to the changing landscape.”

The DVC admin of UniAbuja representing the Acting VC was also invited to give an address where, amongst other things, he spoke about the problem of lack of funding of libraries. There was also an address from Lbrn. Pst. Omokaro, who amongst others, responded to the DVC admin’s statement about the problem of funding of libraries and the reason why the National Library building remained uncompleted, that it was due to the government’s failure to see economic value in libraries. Lbrn. Pst. Omokaro also shared his personal experience with artificial intelligence in a contactless hotel he’d lodged in and how that exposed him to the diverse nature of AI and commended the NLA-IT Section consistently enhancing the capacity of librarians in Nigeria. Furthermore, goodwill messages were received from Prof. Echezona who emphasised that AI has come to stay and librarians should know how to use it for enhanced activities; a representative of the National Librarian, Prof. Anunobi who commended President Omokaro for his advocacy for better facilities of the library; the University Librarian, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Stella Anasi who reminded librarians that “the day you stop learning is the day you start dying.”

The opening ceremony also featured a workshop session as well as presentation of excellence leadership awards to Lbrn. Pastor Dominic Omokaro, FNLA- National President and Chairman of Council, NLA; Prof. Chinwe Anunobi FNLA, National Librarian/ CEO, National Library of Nigeria  and ⁠Hon. Sagir Ahmed Musa, Hon. Commissioner for Information, Youth Sport and Culture, Jigawa State. The highlight of the event was an educational display/playlet by 300-level students of Library and Information Science, UniAbuja.

Day Three

This kicked off with paper presentations as well as questions, critiques and commentaries from the audience. This was followed by workshop sessions. Engr. Seun Adewoye provided a practical workshop session on Cloud Computing – Amazon Web Services Management Console. Another practical session facilitated by Mr. David Oguche on how to create a WordPress.com website followed.

Day Four

This featured a session facilitated by Mr. Sylvester Ebhonu (The Digital Librarian) titled “Driving Digital Transformation in Nigerian Libraries: Practical Skills for Today’s Librarians”. He took the participants on six different practicals, introducing them to various Digita/AI tools and how librarians can use these tools to automate library processes as well as opportunities in digital librarianship and content creation. In addition to this, he stressed that these AI tools should be used ethically and with transparency. The session was an interactive one as he opened the floor to comments and feedback from the audience during his teaching.

The session was followed by paper presentations and feedback from the audience about the presentation. Delegates resolved that the presenters should be given two weeks to effect the necessary corrections and then submit their papers.

The day also featured a continuation of the previous day’s session on how to navigate WordPress which was facilitated by Mr David Oguche.

Dr. Esther Gani facilitated a practical session on “Emerging Technologies: Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality” where she introduced the audience to less known and less utilized Google AI tools amongst Nigerian librarians. Mr Sylvester Ebhonu returned to wrap up his session by taking the audience on how librarians can integrate content creation with librarianship.

Mr. Agwu facilitated the final session on Cybersecurity and Privacy: Protecting Your Digital Footprint” and gave the closing speech.

The communique/report was presented by Ms. Elizabeth Tosanwunmi Tarre, a 400-level LIS student of the University of Ibadan and a beneficiary of the NLA LITT Scholarship Scheme.

The event came to an end with the presentation of certificates.