University of Ilorin, UNILORIN Library proposes digital store where the University community will be able to access, collect, store and preserve in one place their intellectual property. UNILORIN Librarian pointed out that to his knowledge, no university in Nigeria has acquired this software though many are making efforts.
The University of Ilorin Library may soon establish an Intellectual Repository (IR) otherwise known as online store for the collection, preservation and digital dissemination of teaching, learning and research materials for members of the University community.
The University Librarian, Dr. Joseph Omoniyi, who disclosed this in a chat with Unilorin Bulletin last Wednesday (December 10, 2014), said that a proposal to that effect is already before the University Senate for deliberation and possible approval.
According to Dr. Omoniyi, “the digital store is powered by a newly acquired software and with it members of the University community will be able to access, collect, store and preserve in one place their intellectual property. They will also be able to disseminate same seamlessly.”
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The University Librarian explained that “through a website that will be made available, intellectual property originating from this University can easily be searched using common search engines thus increasing global usage and citation rates of such materials and eventually improving our global rating”.
Stressing the importance of the online store to Library Science, Dr. Omoniyi disclosed that IR will advance the University rating since it is far more advanced than the webometric method that is being used to rate universities now. He pointed out that to his knowledge, no university in Nigeria has acquired this software though many are making efforts.
He said that books and journal articles, published or accepted, chapters of books, conference proceedings, seminar papers, inaugural and other public lectures as well as manuscripts, working papers, technical reports, courseware, digital images, master and doctoral thesis and other materials are the likely content of this store.
Dr. Omoniyi said that one of the key decisions the University may consider is a proposal to limit academic papers of lecturers that would be acceptable for promotion purposes to only those available at the proposed digital store. He explained that for every item submitted, the author(s) will sign an agreement with the repository, clear the University of any copyright restrictions, grant non-exclusive disseminating rights to the University while holding partial rights that allow him/her to use and/or license the item without further obligations to the University.
The University Librarian, who identified digitisation and computerisation of the library as his notable achievement, said that Unilorin library has a bright future, especially if succeeding Vice-Chancellors and Librarians can sustain the on-going tempo. He said that beginning from this academic session, all matriculated students will be digitally registered to use the library facilities.
Dr. Omoniyi also disclosed that work is in progress to implement the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), which will allow users to access the library resources from their offices or homes.
