Changing Trends in the Training Needs for School Library Service in Imo State. Implications for the Sustainability of Universal Basic Education (UBE) in the Information Age

Abstract

This paper focuses on the changing role of the school librarian occasioned by the dawn of the electronic age, which has transformed the school librarian from a warehouse manager or a reference consultant to teachers and students. Through a careful study of existing literature the researcher found out that school libraries in Nigeria are still mostly non-functional due to neglect and inadequate funding, where one even exists. The paper therefore advocates that for the sustainability of the UBE. School libraries should be provided and basic and/or continuing educational programmes in the areas of information studies, management and education should be an integral part of the curricula for the training of the school librarians. This is necessary for them to remain afloat and achieve set objectives of the programme.