Skyline University Nigeria’s Library, in collaboration with the National Digital Library of India, has organized a live webinar with the theme ‘User Awareness of National Digital Library of India’, on Friday, 5th June 2020. This was part of the University’s mandate to improve digital library opportunities and awareness in a global platform, to increase consumer education around information and resources as well as to develop community partnerships to broaden the scope of a digital library.
The event was aimed primarily to improve the usage and impact of the library system into the mindset of Faculty, Librarians, Researchers, students etc. It had in attendance, over 167 participants including some high profile dignitaries from both Government and Private sectors as well as Universities and Polytechnics across Nigeria. Some of these participants include representatives of His Excellency, U.A.E, Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Yvonne Akukwe, University Librarian of Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, Dr. Binta Farouk Ladan, University Librarian of Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa, Jigawa, Dr. Abdulkadir A. Idris, Institute Librarian of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation Library, Mr Ibrahim Yahaya, Academy Librarian, Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna, Dr. Lawal Umar, Ag. Librarian of Kaduna State College of Education, Mr Augustine Boniface Yashim, Polytechnic Librarian of Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic, Mr Danladi Yusuf, Director in Charge of Virtual Library Services Department of National Library of Nigeria Mrs Oluchi Iche Kalu, etc.
According to one of the guest speakers and Principal Investigator of the NDLI, Prof. Partha Pratim Chakrabarti, who spoke on the ‘Evolution and Impact of NDLI’, stated that the live webinar would go a long way in advancing research in smart and connected University communities and improve the quality of library usage time. “We are looking forward to having like-minds researchers come together at the end of the webinar to continue working on something towards advancing the area of knowledge,” he said.
The NDLI’s Chief Strategic and Outreach Officer, Dr. Vignesh Sornamohan, who spoke on the Usage of NDLI, stated that In addition to providing materials, NDLI also provides the services of librarians who are experts at finding and organizing information and at interpreting information needs. “He added that “e-learning is not possible without the learning material and very well supported by the digital libraries as an aid to e-learning”. “Equally, NDLI hosts over 48 million resources and 35 million resources are free to use. This is a great opportunity for SUN and other educational institutions of Nigeria”, he added.
Earlier, while delivering the opening remark, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Sudhakar Kota who welcomed participants to the Webinar, stated that it is his hope that the event would strengthen the existing relationship between Skyline University Nigeria’s Library and National Digital Library of India. He commended the quality of leadership and administrative governance which has impacted the lives of library users to rethink how to work to create a higher impact in the future of library usage.
The Webinar Convener and Head Librarian of Skyline University Nigeria, Mr. Kabiru Danladi Garba CLN, who delivered the vote of thanks, highlighted how the library can forge a similar Programmeme at individual level to impact users in the community. “We have recognized that the future of learning is learning without borders in a very broad spectrum, hence digital library will be beneficial to both the Faculty, Librarians and Researchers across diverse fields”. He appreciated all the participants and informed them that SUN Library would equally organize another captivating Webinar in the near future.