Curricula of Undergraduate Library and Information Science (LIS) Programmes in Nigeria: A Content Analysis

Abstract

Library and Information Science (LIS) education and curricula are witnessing great transformation due to thead vancements and changes taking place in the profession, particularly in relation to ICTs. Basically, about 412 undergraduate courses, both core and electives, listed in the curricula of the 9 LIS schools mentioned by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), offering undergraduate LIS education were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The study found that there was more core than elective courses in the curricula of the LIS schools studied. Similarly, around 6.7 percent of all the courses look new, that is, courses such as multimedia resources and services, business information system and services, financial management in library and information science, introduction to information policy analysis; information entrepreneurship in LIS, change management and electronic information resources and so on were found in some of the curricula, which indicates that LIS schools in the country were striving to catch-up with the latest happenings in the profession. Although traditional courses, such as classification, cataloging, reference services, history of libraries, library routines and so on, were found to dominate the curricula. Recommendations were made based on the findings that include, among others, the need for the LIS schools to regularly review their curriculum, as well as the need for involving all relevant stakeholders in the review process. The paper concludes by stressing that a comprehensive approach should be adopted by the LIS schools to ensure the enhancement of the undergraduate curricular in order to make it capable for preparing information practitioners for the challenges ahead.