Content uploaded by Obinna Victor Obiagwu
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Obinna Victor Obiagwu on Jan 06, 2023
Content may be subject to copyright.
173
Abstract
The ceaseless transformation of technologies in information industries has consequently
developed the world into what is today known as information society or computer age,
creating new opportunities to librarians. It has as well charged them with some basic
roles to work significantly for the growth and betterment of the information society.
Meanwhile, this paper looks at the nature of information society and the trends of
libraries in reference to Nigeria's capacity on the present information society. Seeing the
fast tracking nature of advancement on information, this paper pose to evaluate how
librarianship in Nigeria actually suits the dynamic environment in the present
information society; whether Nigerian librarians fully capture the new technological
aspect of information that will eliminate the information gap prevalent among the
masses; if the philosophy behind librarianship is really functional; and if the users
perfectly access information effectively in personal and/or professional lives. This study
however examines the librarianship philosophy and its functional delivery systems within
the context of information society in Nigeria. Thus, the methodology adopted in this work
is mainly, the library research method. Write-ups and relevant materials on related topics
are collated, synthesized and analyzed.
Keywords: Philosophy, Libraries, information society, Technology, Librarianship.
Introduction
Conventionally, library is the depository and the bedrock of the society's memory
savings, which plays a major role in developing a society. It carries information in all
aspect of human endeavors. As a resourceful place of information, it contributes
tremendously the primary element of societal economic, cultural, and communal life.
Having known that everything as Heraclitus acclaims is always in a state of flux, the
society is not for once static but always changing. This condition of societies and human
beings as social institutions and social transformations affect the role of libraries. The
current society has experienced fast changes in almost every aspect of human endeavors.
The impacts of digital technologies have sustained the growth of libraries. They play an
essential role by changing entirely the conventional functions of the library. Library does
not only deal with books but gathers information in numerous medias for the users. It
adapts the present-day changes and handles the new and complex demands of the users.
This is why librarians should ever be advanced in the mode of service provided to the
users as this will enable the library to be more resourceful and relevant to the society.
PHILOSOPHY, LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SOCIETY IN NIGERIA
AGAMA, Christian Sunday, (PhD)
&
OBIAGWU, Victor Obinna, (PhD)
Directorate of General Studies
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
174
According to Oriogu etal (2015, 92), “the growth and development of information
carriers has moved from one form to another. From papyrus to clay tablets, from
manuscripts to microfilms from printed documents to electronic and online resources,
libraries and information centers have always been in the business of facilitating
information to its diversified categories of users”. This means that the information society
relies more on the services provided by the librarians. The librarians serve as a link
between users and information resources that have been in existence for years. They
perform major role in providing, processing, organizing and circulating information to
the world. This is why the role of librarians in the information society still remains a
problem especially in developing countries. This study therefore examines the
philosophy behind libraries and the functional delivery system of librarianship in Nigeria
in the present-day information society.
Information Society: An Insight.
The resultant effects of the ongoing structural changes, economic and technological
developments, and social changes in the global society have increasingly constituted
multiple challenges globally. The genesis of the challenges could be traced from the
turning point which has been squeezed out by misunderstandings and distortions related
to the term - information society. To some, information society has been in existence as at
th th
late 19 century, and of recent some suggest the late 18 century, whereas some are
concerned about the vitality of the concept whether information and knowledge have been
playing an important role in history or not. The historical notion of information society,
however, becomes so controversial that it somewhat concerns with a sociable
circumstance in which a particular community can easily claim to have achieved by
considering different standards of information that was opposed at the earlier stage of
development. (Karvalics 2007,39). It is a society where greater part of social, religious,
economic, cultural, and political activities are regulated through information and
communication technology (ICT) networks which are all interoperable on daily basis.
However, literatures do not proffer a general agreement in reference to when different
countries emerged into information society. But all that could be said is that developed
countries naturally in a gradual process became information societies before the
developing countries proceed to enter the state of information society.
There upon, the definition of the term information society is also affected with numerous
definitions as there is no one generally accepted definition. There are numerous aspects
and approaches toward the definition and the characteristics of the term. Dutton (2003,
407) proffers the concept of information society as a society whereby storing, creating
and networking of information and technological infrastructures commonly take place,
and which are progressively fundamental to all kinds of social and economic activity.
Oriogu etal (2015, 92) defines information society as a society distinguished by an
elevation of information intensity in the habitual life of aborigines, institutions and
organizations; through technological use, mainly for the coverage of personal, business,
social and educational activities, with the ability to perform expeditiously all electronic
information globally.
Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 2 Issue 2 2022-December
ISSN: 2786-9792
175
Gouveia (2003) expresses the concept of information society to mean the most recent
moment of an economically developed society, the major enterprises and institutions that
depend upon the development and use of information and communication technologies.
Also, Masuda (1980) as cited in Karvalics (2007, 9) defines information society as a fresh
kind of society whereby the owner of information is the hidden motive responsible for
changes and development, and where intellectual ingenuity of humanity prospers. For
Cronin (1986) it is “one in which labour has been intellectualized.” It is obvious that the
definitions are based on undisclosed assumptions concerning the areas of life that seem to
have a vital change. Some focus differently on areas like, resources, activities, industries,
products, community and people; while some care for the illustration of global ranges as
an utmost important. Amidst of all the directions, it appears so relevant that for the content
of the concept to be revealed, the attainable aims for checking of attitudes and
multifaceted analysis have to be given. Thus, Rukanci and Anameric (2004) give an
explicit conceptualization of information society with the belief that such society should
be characterized thus:
a. The emerge of the information sector with the development of
information intensive production,
b. The establishment of information networks, databanks and
communication networks for faster access to the knowledge that
everybody needs and has a right to reach,
c. The change in the problems of humanity. Unemployment and
dictatorship concerns in the financial regime of the industrial society
changed for the anxieties about the future, privacy violation and not
reaching the pace of the change in the information society.
d. The substitution of muscle and machine power for the intellectual and
mental capacity,
e. Formation of the demographic structure in the information society
where the qualified and well educated individuals take the priority,
f. Prominence of the continuing education,
g. Continuance of the new information production and, consequently,
much more and quality publications.
h. Broaden of the globalization as the time and space limitations no longer
exist in communication and information access.
The above features among others reveal the outstanding analyses of the term extending to
all sub-systems. A comprehensive analysis will help to check out when a society changes
from the former phase to the information society – the changes though are independent
upon every country's plan and efforts. According to Isazadeh (2004, 3), “each country has
its own action plan for developing the information society of its own.” This is why it
becomes so victorious that the world now talks of the Global Information Society, a
society where mobile phone and internet usage have become the ultimate measure of
interconnectedness. Even the Islands, as the information age unfolds, join together in
forming the Global Information Society.
However, in as much as the world today is recognized as an information age-where all
societies of mankind is changing to one global information society, the sources and the
accessibility of the information are what mattered most. Hence, libraries should be up to
Agama & Obiagwu Philosophy, Libraries And Information Society In Nigeria
date with the use of modern technologies that can provide and access the information
resources that measure up with the information needs of people (users) in the society.
Libraries of all kinds (whether public, academic or school) are expected to be equipped
with facilities, and “digital” and qualified staff globally because it is among the areas
where the lifetime learning abilities are being developed. This turns the whole system into
a struggle against the modern-day digital divide, and the knowledge and information
management among the librarians. A critical examination of the modern development of
libraries in any information society (especially in Nigeria) is of great importance.
Philosophy and Librarianship in Information Society
It is obvious that librarianship has an enormous impact on the (global) information
society. The influence of librarianship on human perception, knowledge, memory as well
as motions has created general spheres of influence and public viewpoints, and has given
support to core values on information and knowledge realities. Knowledge and
information shape our socialization and community. They transform economy, science,
politics, religion and law. The influential development of librarianship on the above
realities has attracted a topic of philosophical analysis. One of the librarianship
philosophical approaches focuses attention on the reformulation of traditional framework
of library efficiencies. The minimum of such arguments is somewhat for ages and covers
almost notable important subjects of philosophical discourses, extending to a point of
reality, truth, culture, society, education or politics to time, space, emotion etc. The
rethinking of this kind focuses upon the question how – in an information society – the
routine experience together with the theoretical modeling of librarianship changed
historically from book storing to internet networking. What major change has actually
occurred since the inception of the internet?
Another philosophical approach is predominantly centered upon the technical sides of
libraries and their efficiencies. It is so logical that the established idea of man has been
defeated. Man has become nothing more than a subordinate to digital technologies. His
carnal duties have been gradually replaced by digital technologies taking over the
important jobs. The logic of mechanism has replaced the conventional order of
knowledge. The favorable circumstances that came as a result of the circulation of the
digital technologies, the rate at which internet and mobile telecommunication networks
that increasingly spread globally, and the disclosed shared models for innovation and
learning have given rise to new sources of inequality. Nonetheless, some scholars have
argued that the terminology of digital divide has put much emphasis on the dualisms of
information. The basic changes and power connections in a particular society are
arguably influenced by the conditions which people could wish to take part in their
information society. Thus, Warschauer (2002 & 2004) has discussed effectively the need
for analytical framework that focuses on social inclusion instead of having an arbitrary
divide, whereas Van Dijk (2005) and Norris (2001) look at the need for comparative
research and studies that will engage in addressing the deficiencies of digital divide
research. Van Dijk (2006, 1), for instance, points out “its lack of theory, conceptual
definition, interdisciplinary approach, qualitative research and longitudinal research.”
176
Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 2 Issue 2 2022-December
ISSN: 2786-9792
Notwithstanding, the rational approach concerning the digital divide as it affects the
librarianship should be on how to bridge the digital divide (the breach between those who
have access to internet and those without) among the library users especially in
developing nations. It is not just having libraries but the kinds that are commensurate to
the existing information society. Other thing that needs to be put into consideration is
whether the library has the accessible internet within its location. Is the available access to
internet actually affordable? What percentage of people can reach the affordability? What
quality of service does it render in terms of internet speed? How has the society involved
been able to acquire the necessary skills and technologies therein? Some other issues that
might attract digital divide (inequality) include security, interconnectivity, digital
literacy, and access to equipment. It is obvious that these digital inequalities ranging from
the availability, affordability, interest, and to digital literacy exist globally. Even among
the nations that have high overall connectivity rates cannot boast of 100% equity of
sustainable internet access in rural, remote, and even urban areas. The measure at which
all the libraries could be globally connected, secured, and trustworthy is doubtful. Wilson
(2004) has explained the difficulties involved in addressing the problems associated with
those who are directly affected with the digital divide-the internet variations.
Comprehensively, the principal element of librarianship philosophy is no longer
acknowledged with the ideas proclaimed by Raymond Smith that:
a library is part of a social organization and that librarianship is a social
process inextricably bound up with the life of a community. It was in special
libraries that the place of the active information service in the progress of
knowledge could be most clearly seen-the library playing its part alongside
the other members of the organization, to promote the welfare of the
organization by implementing its policy through books (Springer Nature
1962, 120).
_
The refinement of techniques has come up with new development in the system
initiating new ways of social connections in all places through the network operation of
information communication technology (ICT). The digitalization of library, the radical
change of human of understanding in the context of sensible realities appears not to
establish the stable future of “librarianship philosophy”. Hence, in addition, one is not
quite sure, how the librarianship will prosper in time to come within the context of
(global) information society. It is also arguable in believing any kind of finality except
possibly in the finality of transformation.
Meanwhile, how has the present-day librarians in the context of information society been
able to make known the truth or accurate information? If it were to be on health issues,
there would be a treatment for it. The same should be applicable to the case of accessing
correct information. A lot of conjectural information is being spread over the net causing
confusions. Where important information is required to be disclosed, it is the correct
information that brings about solutions. The librarianship philosophy should be
concerned on the capability of finding, assessing and using information adequately in
individual and proficient lives. The kind of “information divides” and the refinement of
techniques encircling the current information society have charged to satisfy a
librarianship philosophy that would aim to proffer answer to the following: How the
177
Agama & Obiagwu Philosophy, Libraries And Information Society In Nigeria
correct information should always be reached; at what stage does the information resolve
the current issues; how can an information be collected, organized, processed, stored, and
be distributed among user population without the reformation of information and
knowledge needed by the users. It is the duty of the contemporary library professionals to
make people to be more information literate. Long (1986, 6) defines information literacy
as educating people on how to provide solutions to their problems or to be more fit in
getting their answers. If this definition is appropriate, then the librarians should be able to
develop “the ability of knowing what kind of information, the layman needs, where that
information is available, how could it be obtained; the possession of knowledge about
subjects, books, libraries and library sources, documentation and information sources,
services, systems, and centers networks, data bases, data banks and how to use them etc”
(Weerasooriya 1997, 188). It therefore implies that librarianship belongs also to the field
of information literacy whereby the general public who are educated and trained find it
easy to access information as well as acquiring more knowledge especially when the
primary function of the library is to see that they get the knowledge.
The present-day existence of information society is as a result of constant changes in
information professionalism. The library and information spheres are also open to
question of being changed in accordance with the resilience and the needs of the society
which is as well a subject to change. The changes in librarianship, like other
professionals, should be considered normal provided the traditional values are somewhat
suitable to the new circumstances. The profession of librarianship should always be ready
to work towards the dynamic situations of the contemporary information society.
According to Butler (1973, 111):
a professional library worker must possess a scientific, generalized
knowledge which will enable him to discover the complex library needs of a
mixed community. His primary concern is with the social effect of the
institution. The technical library worker must have been vocationally trained
to control the apparatus of the library for an effective realization of its
prescribed purposes.
The challenges surrounding the present day librarianship remain the fact that it has to
work round the clock basis of the critical information society. Foskett (1962) has argued
that the librarians are the principal figures when it concerns the circulation of information
from the originators to the users simply because the reader is in person associated with
them. Their physical presence matters a lot to the users as many might need to be guided
as well as providing answers to their enquires. They should also be involved in looking
forward to connecting the new information coming up daily in the library from the known
requirements of the users.
By and large, the rout to excellence in information society is by acquiring the knowledge
and using its power. In today's global village, any society that cannot obtain, and make use
of the existing information is bound to be operating within the standards of the olden days.
It is the responsibility of all society's libraries, be it developed or developing countries to
posses the catalyst effect in changing to the information society by making sure they come
to terms of the information, and aspire to catch up with the pressing lack of the
178
Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 2 Issue 2 2022-December
ISSN: 2786-9792
information in the society. Libraries are the cultural and social institutions that help to
nurture people to be qualified and who would in return lift the community to the level of
the information society. It is through the assistance of libraries that one could have access
to the recorded data that has been piled up. It is also the responsibility of the librarians to
define and form the recorded data in a situation where the academic projects are
documented in touchable form. Presently, libraries remain the environments where
lifelong learning abilities are developed. Libraries have direct connection with the
information society. Therefore, the librarianship philosophy should be to educate the
skills of technology involved in order to function efficiently in the information society so
that the challenging roles facing the career will be encountered.
Librarianship and Information Society in Nigeria
There is no information society that does not have one challenge or the other simply
because of its constant transformation. It is so clear that new technologies are springing
up from which improvements are always made to the existing technologies on regular
basis in order to catch up with the latest development. Thus, libraries on the general note
have this challenge of fast advancement in telecommunication facilities. It is quite
observable that it is almost when librarians appear to have known or mastered a specific
software facilities that the need for upgradement is always required to enable them
achieve better results.
In the case of Nigeria, it is not just the problem of rapid upgradement in the system. But
the outstanding ones remain that there are irregular supply of electricity and inadequate
funding of libraries. Others in some cases are the defective telecommunication facilities
and poor level of competency among the librarians. Adigun (2015, 64-5) has it that “in
many Nigerian libraries, the internet connection is so slow that often times it is impossible
to download and print documents from the internet.” The librarians have also been
affected greatly by the emergences of ICTs mainly on the digital resources, high-tech
gadgets and the current information overload.
Moreover, there may be some other cases of abnormalities entangled with Nigeria's
librarianship that are not mention in this paper which are still hindering their proper
functionality in the present information society, but the librarians should endeavor to be
up and doing in order to carry the citizens along with other societies. Librarianship is not
just by physical features but by competent access and provision of productive services to
the public. It therefore entails that for there to be fruitful services as expected by the users
of the digital age, libraries must be mobilized with the aimed info-tech and human
expertise. They are the information professionals whose expected roles and services are
utmost needed in the information society. According to Rothman (2011), adaptability,
resourcefulness, adequate habitude of doing things, having the affection for resolving
issues are the most crucial attributes an information pundit can be endowed with. He
further states that librarians should: “… adapt rather than perish” and “information
professional should be championed of clarity and conclusion who find accessible ways to
describe complex topics”. Thereupon, the librarians in Nigeria should understand from
the above discussions that they are entrusted with much roles and services delivery
st
system of the digital age. Romas (2007) expatiates further when he says that a 21 century
librarian is:
179
Agama & Obiagwu Philosophy, Libraries And Information Society In Nigeria
an information broker for both prints and electronic media, who selects,
acquires, organizes, repackages and provides access to both digital and print
information sources; a change agent, that is a technology application leader
who liaises with the computer science unit to design and manage the library
ICT; a facilitator, making access to information easier by providing access to
network, purchases appropriate library software, databases, e-books and e-
journals; an educator, who trains users on how to access both prints and
electronics. He also educates them on the use of search engines to surf
materials from the internet; a business manager, who possesses the ability to
negotiate with publishers. He also discusses license agreements fore-books,
e-journals and databases; an image maker who is capable of adding value to
the library in order to gain management support and project a positive image
to the outside world.
Lankes (2011, 13) summarizes the fact by saying that the librarians' responsibility is
nothing but to enhance society by assisting the progress of knowledge production in their
society. Therefore, librarians in Nigeria should revolutionize themselves and welcome a
more functioning and changing role in order to be most relevant in the information
society. And in order to equate with the present responsibilities, they should engage
themselves with conferences and retraining frequently to enable them perform their job
effectively in present day information society.
Conclusion
Librarianship remains the information-dependent that serves the society because it
constantly calls on tabbed information stores that already exists in conventional fields of
study. And for Nigerian society to excel on rapid flow of knowledge and information there
should be a proper tradition of being committed with a philosophical exercise of
librarianship. When there is a practice of transformation towards envious functional
delivery system of librarianship in Nigeria, they will gain more power to create, influence
and add more value in the information society. Being the essential artisans of global
information provider and knowledge managers, librarians have no option than to engage
in a librarianship philosophy; be digitalized and act efficiently in accordance with the
present day information society.
References
Adigun, T.A. (2015). Adoption and use of Information and Communication Technologies
in Nigerian libraries: Opportunities and Challenges. Ebonyi Journal of library and
information Science (ISSN 2488-894x).
Butter, P. (1973). An Introduction to Library Science. Chicago: University of Chicago.
Dutton, W.H. (2003). Information Society in Encyclopedia International Media and
Communications, Vol. 2. USA: Elsevier Science.
Foskett, D.J. (1962). The Creed of a Librarian: No politics, No Religion, No Morals.
London: Library Association.
Gouveia, L.M.B. (2003). Sociedade da Informacao. Notas recolhidas da Web em Marco
de. Imbg@ufp.pt,http://www-ufp.pt/Imbg.
180
Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 2 Issue 2 2022-December
ISSN: 2786-9792
Isazadeh, A. (2004). Information Society: Concepts and Definitions. WSEAS
Transactions on Systems 6(3): 1-4.
Karvalics, L.Z. (2007). Information Society – what is it exactly? (The meaning, history
and conceptual framework of an expression). From theory to political practice,
29.
Lankes, R.D. (2011). The atlas of New Librarianship. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
Long, K. (1986). The American Forester 1990 running from 1989. Grand Rapid Press.
Masuda, Y. (1980). The Information Society as a post-Industrial Society (The World
Future Society, Tokyo, LLS, Washington D.C).
Norris, P. (2001). Digital Divide: Civic Engagement, Information Poverty and the
Internet Worldwide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Oriogu, C.D. etal. (2015). Information Society and the Expected Roles and Service
Delivery Systems of Librarians in Nigeria. Ebonyi Journal of library and
Information Science Vol. 2, No. 1.
st th
Romas, M. (2007). The Role of Librarians in the 21 Century. Paper Presented at 35
th
ALSP Anniversary Forum on June 8 at UPLB CEAT auditorium. Retieved from
http://www.shideshare.net/plaistic/the-role-of-librarians-in-the-21st-century .
Rothman, D. (2011). Common Sense Librarianship: An ordered List Mainfesto Health
Information Greekery.
Rukoanci, F. & Anameric, H. (2004). Bilgi toplumun bilgile nmesinde Kutuphanelerin
rolu, kutuphaneciligin Destani Uluslarast Sempocyumu: Saga of Librarianship
international Symposuim, Ankra (Turkey) 21-24.
Springer Nature. (1963). A philosophy of Librarianship. Nature Vol. 196.
https://doi.org/10.1038/19612OaO.
Van Dijk, J.A.G.M. (2005). The Deepening Divide: Inequality in the Information Society.
London: Sage.
Van Dijk, J.A.G.M. (2006). Digital Divide Research, Achievements and Shortcomings.
Poetics, 34(4-5): 221-225.
Warschauer, M. (2002). Reconceptualizing the Digital Divide. First Monday 7(7):np.
Warschauer,M.(2004). Technology and Social Inclusion: Rethinking the Digital Divide.
Cambridge, MA: MIT press.
Weerasooriya, W.A. (1997). Philosophical Pespective of Library and Information
Science Thought and its Evolution and the Changing Role of Future Library and
Information Professionals. Library Science with a Slant to Documentation and
Information Studies. Vol. 34. No. 4 PP. 185-190.
Wilson, E.J. (2004). The Information Revolution and Developing Countries.
Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
181
Agama & Obiagwu Philosophy, Libraries And Information Society In Nigeria
