Entrepreneurship Skills and Opportunities for Librarians in the Field of Library and Information Science: A Perspective in View

Abstract

This paper conceptualizes entrepreneurship skills and opportunities for librarians in the field of library and information science. Characteristics of entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship education in Nigeria, Library and information science as a field of study It presents the librarian as an entrepreneur, entrepreneurship education in the field of library and information science, Skills needed in field of library and information science for Entrepreneurship, Areas of opportunities for a Librarian as an Entrepreneur in the field of librarianship. Challenges that are imminent with entrepreneurship practices by librarians which are: Economic Meltdown; Government Policies; Fear of competition and failure; Lack of entrepreneurial spirit; Problem of generating compelling business ideas; Poor Sources of fund; Poor Attitude of Librarians towards entrepreneurship; Excess workload on the librarian. The paper was concluded by the researchers with the following recommendations: Government should endeavour to make policies that are favourable to small scale businesses in the country so as to encourage entrepreneurship; Librarians that are trained in the field of librarianship should develop the spirit and endeavour to venture into the entrepreneurship areas so as to prevent other professionals from taking foods and opportunities from our tables; It is rightly stated that the sky is big enough to contain all the birds that are flying in it so therefore, irrespective of those who are already occupying positions in the entrepreneurship venture, up-coming librarians should not be afraid to delve into business venture after all competition brings about growth and development into the business world.