Web‐based legal information services and academic law libraries in Nigeria

Abstract

PurposeThis article seeks to discuss the need for a web‐based information delivery system in academic law libraries in Nigeria. It highlights the benefits of harnessing interactive web technologies to provide the kind of information which legal scholars and researchers need to find the law, interpret the law and apply the law to solve societal problems.Design/methodology/approachA literature survey was carried out to support the proposal for a web‐based legal information service in Nigerian academic law libraries; visits to the websites of universities that have law faculties were also made.FindingsMost of the libraries in law faculties, law schools and legal institutes are not utilizing web technologies such as blogs, Wikipedia, really simple syndication feeds, instant messaging, streaming media, podcasting and tagging. Lack of IT skills, finances, and government support are the major problems facing these libraries.Practical implicationsIt should sensitize Government, library schools, library associations and information professionals to the challenges of ICTs.Originality/valueWeb‐based information delivery is relatively new in Nigerian libraries. This work will serve as a reference source.