The National Librarian/CEO, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi has expressed strong confidence that library and information science is still progressing and making waves across Nigeria.

Speaking at the 64th Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Library Association held at Siyyam International Conference & Event Center in Minna, Niger State, the National Librarian dismissed claims that librarianship is dying.  She emphasized that the profession is not only standing but waxing strong, with members making significant impact in diverse areas including IT, AI and other cutting-edge technologies.

Despite the waves, she urged librarians and information professionals to double their efforts to be able to arrive at the expected destination. According to her, “librarianship is evolving with a speed of light", we have to learn new things, re-learn and also unlearn what has already been established, and then devise means of deploying the acquired knowledge to promote the profession.

Speaking on the Conference theme, “Our Future, Our Hope: The State of Libraries and Librarianship in Nigeria,” Prof. Anunobi maintained that “the state of libraries and librarianship in Nigeria can only change effectively if individual decide to change.

She charged those in academic environments to discover new tools to support teaching, learning and research. She added that “librarians and information scientists, as a matter of urgency must uphold the institutional heritage of their various domains”.

The Conference was attended by 800 librarians from across the country with sixteen delegates representing the National Library of Nigeria.