Role of school librarian in the digital age in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper focuses on the role of school librarian in the digital age in Nigeria. School librarian has a vital role to play in the school library most especially with the  introduction of information and communication technology (ICT) in library services world-wide in order to meet the changing needs of students and staff in the school environment. The paper discusses existing roles of the school library, school library and the digital age, roles of school librarian in the digital age, challenges confronting the school library in the digital age in Nigeria. The paper concluded that school  librarian roles in the digital age in Nigeria are enormous and challenging but  compulsory if effective school library and information services are to be achieved in this 21st Century in the school library system. Lack of qualified staff, library information bearing resources and facilities are the major challenges confronting school library development in Nigeria. The following recommendations among others were made as solutions to the challenges of school library in Nigeria: stakeholders in library and information science in Nigeria (Library Schools, Centre for Educational Media Resource Studies, Nigerian Library Association and Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria) should come out with a document and sponsor a bill to the  National Assembly on school library development which will spelt out the standard to be maintained in all school libraries in Nigeria and Federal, State and Local government should support the school library development in the provision of  needed funds, laws and other facilities and resources needed for school library in the digital age.

Keywords: School librarian; Role; Digital age; Nigeria