Abstract:
This study investigated the staff needs and training programmes of the National Library of Nigeria in the information age. Six research questions were formulated to guide the study. The questions sought answers to amongst other things, the categories of staff needed in the National Library of Nigeria in the information age, Qualifications of staff needed, Relevant skills/competences of staff needed, Training methods/programmes available to staff, Problems associated with staff training, and Strategies for enhancing staff needs and training programmes. A descriptive survey design was used for the study. A sample of 193 comprising the professional and para- professional librarians in the National Library of Nigeria in the North Central Zone was used. A Questionnaire of 84 items was used for data collection. A total of 136 copies of the questionnaire were returned and analyzed using frequency tables, percentages and mean (x) values. In the final analysis, it was revealed from the study that the National Library of Nigeria needs various categories of staff however, the most needed are the professionals and indexers while the most needed skills/competences are information and communication technology (ICT), including a strong service orientation with dedication to quality. In the area of training methods/programmes, Sandwich and Part-time training programmes are reportedly available to majority of the staff. Inadequate training in ICT for both professional and para- professional librarians is among the major problems besetting staff training. Sponsorship for conferences, workshops and continuing education programmes leading to award of certificate amongst other strategies, was recommended towards enhancing the staff needs and training programmes of the National Library of Nigeria in the information age.
