The Deputy VC, Prof. Segun Lagoke declaring open the University Librarians’ meeting. To the left is the DVC (Academic), Prof. Chryss Onwuka. (Right) Prof. Olu Lawal, former CULNU chairman with the incumbent, Mr. Abayomi Agboola.
It has been observed that the dynamism of a University could be adjudged by the state of its library.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun who gave this insight, described University libraries as the heart of a healthy and virile University.
Professor Balogun was speaking at the 90th Bi-Annual meeting of the Committee of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (CULNU) hosted by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta at its Senate Chamber.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Professor Segun Lagoke, Prof. Balogun reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the various University Libraries, pointing out that the construction and furnishing of the library for its Institute of Human Resources Development (INHURD) had just been completed.
He added that the University currently maintains three functional College Libraries in the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, Engineering and Natural Sciences.
Reiterating the importance attached to library by the University, the Vice-Chancellor said the University’s central Library was the first main building on the Campus and it is one of the centrally located and prominent buildings in the University.
According to Professor Balogun, the development of College Libraries, which are centrally administered, was necessitated by the increase in student’s population in the last three years, stressing that the College Libraries provide local study points for the students.
He said the University’s library is ICT-compliant with a facility for e-library and a 200-Seater Computer Laboratory, while another 500-Seater Laboratory is under construction.
Commenting on funding of the University Library, Professor Balogun disclosed that the Management adhered strictly to the NUC 10% Library Development Fund (LDF) stipulation and also commended the Educational Tax Fund for its support, which he said had improved access to quality teaching and research materials in the higher educational institutions.
Earlier, in his Welcome Address, the University’s Librarian and Chairman CULNU, Mr. Abayomi Agboola, said the Committee came into existence about 45 years ago with membership in 104 Universities across the country.
Mr. Agboola assured members of an exhaustive deliberation, as issues affecting the running of Nigerian Libraries and the recent FGN-ASUU agreement would be addressed.
