What’s happening over there?”: a study of the current state of services, challenges, and prospects in Nigerian medical libraries
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Medical Library Association
Abstract
Objective: The authors examined the current state of service delivery, collections, and challenges in Nigerian
medical libraries.
Methods: We employed a descriptive mixed method research design using a cross-sectional quantitative
survey of Nigerian medical librarians and qualitative interviews with heads of selected Nigerian medical
libraries.
Results: Respondents indicated that the US National Library of Medicine classification scheme is most
commonly used to organize the resources of medical libraries in Nigeria. Respondents indicated that library
users have a high understanding about the library but exhibit low usage of library services. Nigerian medical
libraries have social media accounts but use them infrequently. Most medical librarians do not provide
specialized services to health care professionals, and monographs are the major information resources in
their collections. Most medical librarians in Nigeria have beginner-level knowledge of systematic reviews and
evidence-based medicine and rarely organize training for library users.
Conclusion: Our findings show that services offered by medical libraries in Nigeria are still evolving. Identified
skill deficits among medical librarians need to be addressed. The country’s library associations and
international programs in developing countries should focus on providing continuing education and training
of Nigerian medical librarians to enhance their support for medical education and practice in Nigeria.
Description
Keywords
Medical libraries, medical librarians, challenges, state