More Than Just Books and L

 

The name of my department is Library and Information Science which is under the Faculty of Education in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. It is a four-year degree program. My department is a place where knowledge meets purpose and information meets innovation. It equips students with the skills to become a professional librarian. 

It is a course that encompasses organization of information resources (cataloguing), information science, knowledge management, technology, research, digital information systems, and real-life problem solving.

It teaches students soft skills (non-technical) and hard skills (technical) that are relevant in the information community and in the society at large. It is important because it serves as an intermediary between information resources and the patrons. 

At first I didn't know about this particular course until I heard about it from my sister that studied Early Childhood Education in UNN. According to her, her department borrowed a particular course from there which interest her so much being that she is inclined with children. I had to browse about it and funnily enough I picked a little interest in it. I decided to go for it because it is still inclined with education that I wanted to do. The digital skills in it is also part of what attracted me to go for it. 

One of the most beautiful things about my department is how it blends traditional library knowledge with digital technology. We learn courses that expose us to cataloguing, information services, research methods, databases, knowledge organization, library marketing, and even contemporary technologies used in modern libraries. 

So far I have been in the department since my 100level till now in my 300 level, I have engaged with interesting courses such as LIS 103 (Library Visits and Orientation) where we visited the University Secondary School Library , University Printing Press , Institute of African Studies Museum, Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, Unity Museum in Enugu, UNEC Law Library, National Library Enugu, Enugu State Library. I did LIS 105 (Library Application Packages) which detailed Information and communication technologies that can be used in the library. I did LIS 243 (Library Services to Disadvantaged Community) which exposed me to how to bridge the gap between information resources and people with disabilities, prison inmates and rural dwellers. I also did LIS 242 (Library work with Children and Youth) where I learnt how to master the characteristics of different groups of patrons and how to solve their information needs. Currently, I'm doing LIS 311 (Organization of Knowledge) that gave me an indepth process of cataloguing and LIS 351(Practice Librarianship) that gave me another opportunity to showcase my teaching skills. They were fun and memorable experiences. 

At UNN, my department has a rich history of training students to become professionals in organizing, preserving, and managing knowledge in both physical and digital spaces. From its early years as Library Science to its current modern structure, it has continued to evolve with global trends in technology and information systems. 

At 300 level second semester, we go for Industrial Training (IT) that lasts for the whole semester at any establishment of your choice which can be an ICT Center, a Library or a Printing Press. Graduates of this course can be professional librarians, information scientist, data/information analyst, cataloguer, archivists, record managers, tutors/teachers, you have the opportunity attend as many conferences as possible etc. It prepares us for opportunities in:

Academic libraries

Digital archives

Publishing houses

Research institutes

Data and records management

ICT and information systems

Knowledge consultancy. 

When people hear Library and Information Science, many simply think it is all about books. But as a student of the Library and Information Science Department, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), I have come to understand and realize that it not just about books and library, it is far beyond shelves and silence, it is also more than just books and library. 

What makes the experience even more inspiring is the UNN academic environment, especially the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, one of the university’s greatest intellectual spaces that gives students access to rich resources and e-learning materials. 

So if you are passionate about knowledge, technology, research, and helping people find the right information, then Library and Information Science in UNN is a beautiful path to consider.

I am proud to belong here, and every day I grow more convinced that this department is shaping me for relevance in the modern world.

#echoesofbliss#

#nellywrites#