Librarians Call For Reforms In Varsity Library Governance

The Association of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (AULNU) has called on universities to adopt institutional Open Access policies and restrict leadership of academic libraries to professionally-certified librarians.

The demand was contained in a communiqué issued after AULNU’s 114th Bi-Annual Conference and General Meeting held in Abuja recently.

The conference themed: “Managing University Libraries in the Era of Open Access Publishing: The Role of Librarians,” drew librarians, scholars, policymakers, and development partners.

Delegates observed that university libraries are shifting from custodial roles to strategic centers for research dissemination, digital preservation, and digital literacy.

The University Librarian of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Angela Okpala is the current national president of the association and delivered her speech at the conference.

It also identified major barriers including poor ICT infrastructure, unstable power, inadequate funding, low digital literacy, and weak policies.

Delegates further expressed concern over predatory journals, misinformation, and the misuse of Artificial Intelligence in scholarly communication, while frowning at the appointment of non-qualified persons as University Librarians, stating that doing so undermines professionalism and standards.

It resolved that only librarians registered with the Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) should be eligible for such appointments.

The association also urged TETFund and government agencies to strengthen support for Open Access infrastructure, digital repositories, and broadband connectivity.