INFORMATION ON THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR LIBRARY
PREAMBLE:
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) Library was earmarked to occupy a position of excellence in learning and scholarship at its establishment in October 1975 (ref. Decree No. 80 of 28th September, 1989). As the ‘academic heart’ of the University and a model library in its environment of influence, the library plays a key role in delivering learning resources to staff and students of the institution.
VISION AND MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
The University Library aligns itself with the concern for excellence as captured by the vision of the present leadership of Prof. James Epoke, the Vice-chancellor of the University of Calabar in his “Strategic plan for significant progress”. In tandem with this, the University Library’s vision and mission towards the realization of an excellent library for an excellent university is as stated below:
- Vision Statement
The University of Calabar Library as a comprehensive ICT driven library system, providing dynamic and innovative library and information services for effective teaching, research and public service by seasoned professional and other highly skilled, competent, conscientious and available staff in a user friendly and conclusive environment.
- Mission Statement
The University Library will pursue the articulate development of collections, effective and efficient human resource development, management and utilization; creative employment of information technologies to facilitate service delivery; stimulate discussions that aim at highlighting and proffering solution to the information challenges of the University and its environment of influence.
BRIEF HISTORY
The University of Calabar was one of the seven universities established in 1975 by the Federal Military Government of Nigeria, as part of its 3rd National Development Plan. The University grew out of the Calabar Campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) which began functioning as such in the 1973/74 session. In October, 1976, when the newly established university became autonomous, it inherited over 3,000 volumes of books and skeletal staff from the defunct Calabar Campus of the UNN. These formed the nucleus of the University of Calabar Library which assumed full status as a University Library and has been operating in that capacity ever since.
As a central element in the University’s educational role, the library supports and facilitates the achievement of programmes offered in the faculties, institutes and colleges through the provision of books, journals and other information resources for teaching, learning and research.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES
The University of Calabar Library building which is called the ‘definitive’ library was planned and constructed based on the standards and guidelines set by National Universities Commission (NUC) and has been described as heralding a new era of library architecture not only in Nigeria but Africa as a whole.
The building, which is on H-shaped four floors massive and purpose built structure has a useable floor area of 2,700m2, seating capacity of 3,000 readers and other physical facilities which include:
- Total number of seats provided - 1,600
- Staff offices - 16
- Lighting and ventilation
- Security/fire extinguishers and,
- A 200KVA Generating set
LIBRARY HOLDINGS
As at September 2011, the library’s total holdings comprised of 150,000 volumes of books, over 9000 volumes of bound and 14,322 current journals as well as 4,400 titles of monographic and other serials holdings to support the academic and research work in the university
Additionally, the library continues to enjoy the support of donor agencies. These include NUC, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), New York Biological Science Foundation, Books Aid International, Nigerian Books foundation as well as other well meaning individuals and higher institutions.
There are also special collections endowed in the library such as World Bank Depository Collection consisting of various current books in Social Science and Humanities (2001 – 2011); Elder Afi Ekong indigenous Literature Collection and Afro-American Caribbean Literature etc.
In terms of electronic resources, the university library was as from March 2011, a beneficiary of an e-library consisting of 75 computers with internet connectivity, donated by Deep Offshore Community Affairs Group (DOCAG) through Total E & P Nig. Ltd. The Visual Technology Library Software (VTLS) provided covers disciplines offered in the university. In addition, the library enjoys currently renewed (2011 – 2014) NUC/ETF Ebscohost database online subscription as well as library philanthropic initiatives like AGORA, HINARI, OARE and TEEAL.
ADMINISTRATION
The internal governance of the University of Calabar Library revolves around the current University Librarian, Dr. Mrs. Margaret Bassey Edem whose predecessors included Mr. Nduntei Ita (1977 – 1997) and Professor Olu O. Lawal (1998 – 2011).
The departmental governance of the library is largely along functional lines. It includes such divisions as General Administration, Resource Development, Technical Services, Readers’ Services, Reference and Bibliographic Services, Research Services, Africana and Government Publications.
A recent feature is the systems Development Division which provides efficient and quality electronic information services to academic community in the University of Calabar. This is purely an automated internet system operation offering full internet and high speed services, VTLS – Virtual/Chamo resources, training on use of electronic resources for university staff and access to database information.
STAFFING AND SERVICES
The total staff strength of the library is two hundred and seven (207), comprising of the following:
- Academic - 10
- Library Officers - 57
- Administrative & Professional - 59
- Junior staff - 87
The library’s skilled and dedicated staff members continue to acquire, catalog, preserve and provide access to the institutions collection. Services rendered by the library include lending, reference, user education, current awareness/selective dissemination of information, display of newly acquired materials and information technology (IT) services.
USERS
Registered library users include undergraduates, post-graduates and teaching and non-teaching staff. Library rules and regulations regulate the use of library resources and the behavior of the users.
Dr. (Mrs) Margaret Bassey Edem
University Librarian