Federal University of Technology Owerri Library

The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Library is the primary academic library for the FUTO in Nigeria.[1] The library is adjacent to lecture rooms, laboratories and hostels. It has ICT section that provides e-resources databases that include Science Direct, Ebscohost, Research4life databases, TEEAL and other free electronic resources.[2]

Federal University of Technology - Owerri Library
Map
LocationOwerri, Ihiagwa, Nigeria
TypeAcademic library
Established1982 (42 years ago) (1982)
Collection
Items collectedBooks, journals, newspapers, magazines, sound and music recordings, patents, databases, maps, stamps, prints, drawings and manuscripts
Access and use
Access requirementsOpen to Students, Researchers, Academic and Non-Academic staff of the institution
Other information
DirectorDr. Mrs. Justina N. Ekere
Websitehttps://futo.edu.ng/

History

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The Federal University of Technology Owerri was founded in 1982.[3][4][5] On 9 November 1981, the library was formally commissioned for use. It began with the initial student population of 225; 28 teaching staff 28 and 6 academic support staff.[6] The initial library stock was 2,500. From this humble beginning, the University Library rose to 22 staff providing traditional library services to 80 students in a small hall. It later evolved to 96,501 volumes of resources with 124 staffers providing 24,700 users with innovative knowledge service activities.[2]

In 1986, the library created a learning resource center to provide audiovisual services. That same year, the library added a personal computer. A standalone computer with The Information Navigator Library Software (TINLIB) was provided for all federal university libraries in Nigeria. This availability triggered a new mode of cataloging and classification, acquisition, and circulation as well as other services in these universities, including FUTO.[3]

Collections

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The library includes seven primary sections: social sciences, humanities, ICT unit, reference, science, technology, and agriculture. It hosts the university librarian's office, the bindery and reprographic services, security checkpoint, circulation center and bookstore. The building has a seating capacity of 500. Library administration is split into nine divisions: Acquisitions, Processing, Serials Unit, Users services, ICT Unit, and Research Training/Statistics, Documents, Reference services, Bibliography, and Special Collections.[7]

The print collection consists of about 75,000 books; 77 journal titles; 3,200 documents and 148 maps.[8] The library subscribes to roughly eight databases, which include some fee-based and open sources. These databases include EBSCOHOST, Agora, OARE, Hinari and Nigerian Virtual Library, all of which can be accessed in the library and on the library website.[9]

Strategies and programs for information services and marketing by Federal University of Technology Owerri Library

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The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Library is one of the academic libraries in Nigeria that has social media platforms where information is shared through graphics, tests, pictures and recordings. For instance, the library website operates as a center for interactive space with its users as well as provides online library and information services. There are also special online resources like theses, inaugural lectures and question papers.[10]

Other strategies in marketing information resources and library services in the Federal University of Technology, Owerri Library are the current awareness services, referral services, selective dissemination of information, referral services, inter-library cooperation, internet services, exhibitions and display of new arrivals, document delivery services, flyers and posters, social media, consultancy services, institutional websites, library notice board, user orientation programs, face to face interaction with the user community, seminars and workshops and conferences.[11]

There are also innovative services that allowed for the provision of an Electronic Notice Board with multimedia projecting screens. Again, is the Electronic Dashboard where users come together for common information. New students are engaged in networking while the University Library collaborate virtually with them on the library Twitter page (twitter.com/futolibrary, Facebook and blog www.Facebook.com/futolibrary,and www.futolibrary.wordpess.com respectively). The FUTO Library website (Library.futo.edu.ng) is used for awareness creation using library 2.0 windows of the Library. There are also Instant messages through the FUTO Library mailbox and GSM (library@futo.edu.ng and service hotline respectively).[2]

Community information services by Federal University of Technology, Owerri Library

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The Federal University of Technology Owerri Library has considered the community information services to its host community as a corporate social responsibility in improving the standard of life of the dwellers of the rural areas.[12]

The library has also strategized engagement with the rural community on sustainable development goals. However the challenges envisaged are the administrative bottlenecks from university management, issue of finance for logistics and implementation, poor relationship between university and rural communities as well as societal and environmental threats.[13]

University Librarians

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  • Mr J. C Anafulu 1981- 1998[14]
  • Mr M.S Onye 1998- 2003[15]
  • Mr J.E Nshared via graphics, pictures, tests and recordings. For instance, the library website operates as awogu 2003- 2013
  • Mrs C.N Okoroafor (Acting) 2013- 2014
  • Prof C.V Anunobi 2014- 2020[16][17]
  • Dr Mrs Gertrude Umunnakwe (Acting) 2020- 2021[18]
  • Dr Mrs Justina N. Ekere 2021–Present[19]

See also

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Academic libraries in Nigeria

References

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  1. ^ Emezie, Nkeiru (2018). "Stepping Up The Ladder To Meet User Needs: Innovative Library Services And Practices In A Nigerian University Of Technology". Library Philosophy and Practice.
  2. ^ a b c Anunobi, Chinwe V. and Onyebinama, Colette O. (2016). "The University Library as an Innovation and Knowledge Services Centre: A case from Nigeria". researchgate. Archived from the original on 2016-08-02. Retrieved 2022-12-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b Anunobi, C.V.; Anyanwu, O.P.; Oga, M.; Benard, I.I. (2011). "The adoption of ICT for library and information services the adoption of ICT for book place and information services at the federal university libraries in the south-eastern Nigeria, a case study of federal university of technology, Owerri (FUTO)". Nigerian Libraries. 44 (1).
  4. ^ "Federal University of Technology, Owerri Nigeria". campus.africa. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  5. ^ "SchChat - School | Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO)". www.schchat.com. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  6. ^ Nwokocha, U. (2012). Assessment of Library User Education Programmes in Abia State University and Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Nsukka, Nigeria: Unpublished PhD Thesis from Department of Library and Information Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. pp. 9–10.
  7. ^ Federal University of Technology Owerri. "Archives: News". – Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  8. ^ "Federal University of Technology Owerri Library | owlapps". www.owlapps.net. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  9. ^ Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Library Website (20 May 2022). "FUTO Library Electronic Resources".
  10. ^ Emezie, Nkeiru (2018). "Stepping Up The Ladder To Meet User Needs: Innovative Library Services And Practices In A Nigerian University Of Technology". Library Philosophy and Practice (E-journal). 1767.
  11. ^ Uwandu, Linda Ijeoma and Osuji, Chioma Esther (2022). "Strategies Used by Librarians in Marketing Information Resources and Library Services in Federal University of Technology, Owerri and Imo State University, Owerri". Library Philosophy and Practice (E-journal). 7336.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Emezie, Nkeiru A. and Igwe, Kingsley N. (2017). "Delivery of community information service as corporate social responsibility by librarians in Nigerian tertiary institutions". Information Impact, Journal of Information and Knowledge Management. 8 (1): 76–92 – via researchgate.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Chukwu, Scholastica A.J.; Emezie, Nkeiru A.; Njoku, Ifeoma S. and Abanum, Rosemary (2022). "TOWARDS EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN NIGERIA: THE ACADEMIC LIBRARY PERSPECTIVE". Library Philosophy and Practice (E-journal). 7239 – via Library Philosophy and Practice.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Okoro, Clara Chinyere; Omeluzor, Saturday U.; Bamidele, Itunu A. (2014). "Effect of Brain Drain (Human Capital Flight) of Librarians on Service Delivery in Some Selected Nigerian Universities". SAGE Open. 4 (3). doi:10.1177/2158244014541131. S2CID 145356189.
  15. ^ "Student Projects - Get Complete Final Year Projects for B.Sc, HND, OND, M.Sc and Ph.D, NCE, all in one place". studentprojects.com.ng. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  16. ^ "Chinwe Anunobi". African Library & Information Associations & Institutions. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
  17. ^ "Update on 2011 Associate Chinwe Anunobi – Mortenson Center for International Library Programs – U of I Library". www.library.illinois.edu. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
  18. ^ Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Library Website (20 May 2022). "Federal University of Technology Owerri Library Academic Staff Profile".
  19. ^ Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Library Website (20 May 2022). "FUTO Library Academic Staff Profile".

Further reading

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  • Anunobi, C.V. (2006). "Dynamics of internet usage: A case of students of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Nigeria". Educational Research Review. 1 (6): 192–195.