At 60, National Library Has Issued 1,000,574 Book Numbers
Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
The National Library of Nigeria has issued not less than 1,000,574 International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) and 27,755 International Serial Number (ISSN) 10 years after its establishment in 1964.
Chief Librarian and CEO of the library, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi who stated this yesterday in Abuja during a briefing highlighting the milestones achieved and the proposed unveiling of its five year programme from 2025- 2030, said the library has so far been replicated in 33 states of the Federation.
With the celebration theme tagged: ‘The Future of Libraries in a Digital Age: Preserving Heritage, Expanding Access and Engaging Youth’’, Anunobi said funds not only for maintenance but transformation from analogue to digitally enabled environment requiring ICT facilities, alternate power and robust internet access are needed in revamping the premises of its headquarters.
She said until robots generative AI takes over the job of humans as a factor of production, no system can thrive without human resources and as such, the 34 learning spaces of the headquarters cannot be manned by 619 staff which she remarked is abysmally low.
According to her, the celebration is a pointer that going forward the NLN must design education, research and cultural development programs that will not only attract the youths but transform them as very important and valuable asset of the nation.
She said: “Serving as the Centre for International Standards, NLN has supported stakeholders in the research/publishing ecosystem through the issuance of standard numbers. Since 1974 we have issued 1,000,574 International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) as well as 27,755 International Serials Number (ISSN) since its inception in 1976.
“Again can a big social service Centre perform optimally without funds? Collection, processing and preservation of the nation’s heritage as well as the services to the Nigerian public through the NLN learning spaces would have been better if funds are provided for her.
“Funds not only for maintenance but transformation from analogue to digitally enabled environment requiring ICT facilities, alternate power and robust internet access.
“Until, robots generative AI takes over the job of humans as a factor of production, no system can thrive without human resources. It could have been better if the 34 learning spaces and headquarters are manned by more than 619 which is abysmally low.”
She revealed that the unveiling of the new logo, the 2025-2030 strategic plan, Index and Abstract of newspaper articles of President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office and many more will be unveiled on Wednesday.
