University of Calabar

These scholars most especially interested and involved in the planning and implementationof the University of Calabar Library Complex included Professor Donald Ekong, the 1st Principal; Professor Emmanuel Ayandele, the foundation Vice-Chancellor and very effective instrument for library development; Professor Ulo K. Enyenihi; Ambassador (Professor) Okon Edet Uya, the then Deputy Vice-Chancellor; and Chief N.O. Ita, the University Librarian at the time who ensured that a suitable architectural edifice was put in place and located at the epicentre of Faculty buildings.

The new library complex has therefore, provided the much-needed space required for professional services and study facilities. The Library has been steadily developing over the years and is expected to continue with its rapid growth.

Library holdings to date include over 136,000 volumes of books, 9,166 volumes of bound journals, 300 current titles of journals, 37,000 pamphlets/ magazines and newspapers. In terms of physical facilities, the total seating capacity for now is 2,046 readers. This is likely to increase in response to the continued growth of student population and eventual completion of the building. When in 1975 the University of Calabar started operating as an autonomous University, the student population was nowhere compared to what it is now. The University Library is now expected to provide services for over 30,000 staff and students of the University.

The University of Calabar Library is undoubtedly one of the most well staffed University Libraries in Nigeria. It has a total staff strength of 162, of which 21 are academic librarians (5 Ph.D holders, 4 on staff development pursuing doctorate degrees and others with Masters degree). It is a worthy legacy of the founding University Librarian that staff who were recruited were of the most qualitative status to serve the academic community.

In order to augment inadequate funding, the management of the University Library succeeded in attracting donations from external agencies as follows:

- Gained World Bank Publications depository status. The Collection is current with 2000, 2001 and 2003 publications;

- Education Tax Fund: The Library has successfully retired the 2001 grant and has executed the 2002 projects a delay occasioned by the six months industrial action in Nigerian Universities. The 2003 project proposal was geared towards library computerization;

- Book donations were received from various sources including the Brothers Aid International (BAI), The Rotary International, World Bank and Indigenous Nigerian Authors;

- The University Library is a participant in the UNESCO/ FME, Federal Ministry of Education Virtual Library Project.

Professional Challenges

a) The University Library has gained membership of an international consortium for information resource sharing. This emanated from the Standing Conference of African University Librarians West Africa (SCAULWA), held in Legon, Ghana, in November 2003. The idea was to share information resources from learned journals and books not held by each institution. Other members are Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, UNAAB, Abeokuta, and the University of Ilorin, Ilorin;

b) To facilitate greater access to the collection during the accreditation exercises, the professional staff of the library have embarked on listing of books and journals held in the various subject libraries. For instance, the Law Library Holdings up to November 2003 has been bound as a volume in order to facilitate access to Law collections. In December 2003, the Medical Library Holdings, including her specialties of Paediatric Nursing and Surgery, were also prepared as bound volume. The latent objective is to eventually produce Library holdings in most subject areas that are usual targets for accreditation exercises.

c) In 1986, Librarians in the University of Calabar gained academic status at par with academic (Teaching) colleagues. Assessment for promotion has been based mainly on academic publications, research and professional practice. The emphasis on publications became pronounced as Librarians were actively engaged in teaching Use of Library Skills, Bachelors and Masters degrees in Science. Librarians had access to and were awarded Senate Research Grants, Staff Development/ Study Fellowships. They were also active in all Faculty Boards of the University gaining effectively from interaction with lecturers in respect of their various information needs.

The University of Calabar Library staff have published widely in books and refreed journals as well as attended numerous conferences in Nigeria and abroad. Particularly note worthy in this regard have been the publications of Mr. N.O.Ita, Dr. Olu Lawal, Dr. E.E. Nkereuwem, Dr. U.S. Edem, Dr. (Mrs) J.I. Iwe, Mr. U.U Ukpe, Dr. Udofia I. Udofia, Mrs. Mfon E. Etuk, Mr. Okon Edet Ani, Mrs. Aniebet I. Ntui, Mr. Eric T. Ofre, Mr. B.A. Bassey, Mr. Emmanuel U. Atseye, Mr. Jacob E. Esin and Mrs. Eucharia U. Okwueze. Taken together, these represent significant academic contributions in the different areas of Library Sciences and Library Management.