PHILOSOPHY

State clearly the philosophy of the proposed programme. The philosophy of the Programme is to train students who would become skilled manpower that can develop and apply relevant technologies and information to solve societal problems and also be imbued with the requisite skills and competencies to function in the contemporary and emerging library (physical and virtual) and information environment. Graduates of the programme should be capable of managing information in all formats and also run all types of libraries, and other information firms such as the archives, museum, publishing industry and information centres, and be able to communicate in space and time, and respond to the dynamic information needs of the society.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES

State the aims and objectives of the proposed programme. Please note that it must be in line with the National Policy on Education and within the bounds of the mission of the university.

The objectives of the proposed department are to:

1. produce Library and Information professionals for all types of libraries, information and documentation centres;
2. equip the graduates of the programme with relevant theoretical knowledge, practical skills and techniques to develop and enhance their job performance;
3. encourage the spirit of inquiry and creativity among the Library and Information professionals so that they are capable of understanding the emerging concepts of the role of information in a complex multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and largely nonliterate society like Nigeria;
4. provide prospective Library and Information professionals with the intellectual and professional background adequate for their assignments and to make them adaptable to any changing situation; and;
5. provide an understanding of the role of the new communication technology (such as Internet) in the handling of information.

RATIONALE

Information is considered as the fifth product of production aside man, machine, money and material. It has also been variously considered as a powerful tool for national development. Thus, it is expedient that Nigeria as a nation and its populace moves with the information wave currently blowing in other nations of the world. This will enable
her to be translated from being information poor to an information rich and literate society. One way of achieving this is to ensure the establishment of a Library and Information Science programme at the bachelor’s degree level.
This is believed will serve as an avenue to train and produce qualified information professionals who can precisely perform different roles in the information sector including planning, management, marketing, effective implementation of information related policies, as well as development of information resources and infrastructures.

To this end, this programme is aimed at meeting the information needs of the country at large. Further, it is hoped that library personnel and/or students who are para-professionals in the Library and Information Organisations who have Diploma certificates in Library and Information Science from recognised Institutions would leverage upon the programme to upgrade their qualifications so that they can become qualified information professionals.

In addition, undergraduate degree in Library and Information Science is needed to prepare candidates for postgraduate degrees in the profession. In conclusion, running the programme at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, being the only federal university in Ogun State will afford all candidates, irrespective of their state of origin equal opportunity (without prejudice or the fear of indigenous quota system) to enroll for a degree in the profession and thus develop their career in the information industry.

Library and Information graduates from the Department will be qualified for positions in the following areas:

i. Academic, School, National, Public, Research and Special Libraries
ii. Information, Communication, Technology and other related industries
iii. Archives, Museum and other Information Managements and Curation Centres
iv. Relevant Federal Ministries, Parastatal and Establishments
v. Relevant State Ministries, Parastatal and Establishments