The Role of Digital Librarians in Effective Information Service Delivery in Libraries in Nigeria: A Conceptual Review

Abstract

The paper is an attempt to explore the crucial changing roles of librarians as information managers in effective information service delivery in libraries in Nigeria in this digital era. It sheds light on the development of hybrid libraries as a panacea for meeting the information needs of twenty first century library users who exhibit much dexterity in using new technologies. Therefore, in addition to the traditional library and information management skills, librarians now need to possess additional skills and expertise particularly in the use of modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), automated information service, electronic publishing, digital Information management and knowledge management. Commitment to continuous improvement of skills, techniques and strategies and sensitive to network environment. The paper also discusses the various areas of application of ICTs in library and information services. It examines the different strategies that would help in building librarians’ skills and competences required for effective ICT utilization in libraries and information service delivery in Nigeria and how to acquire relevant skills and competences to make their profession and roles relevant in this information driven age. It stresses that librarians should make efforts to acquire 21st century skills through personal training so as to be relevant and dynamic since the funding

situation in most libraries is always in adequate. This paper also discusses the challenges facing digital librarians and how the challenges can be surmounted. It then concludes by emphasizing on the different library services librarians can deliver, disseminates and transfer to their users in cyberspace today. The paper finally stresses that librarians should constantly be trained and retrained and libraries should serve as a catalyst in the promotion of education, information and knowledge through timely and up-to-date information dissemination in this rapidly changing period.