Millie Horsfall - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Millie Horsfall

The paper discusses emerging intelligent technologies for smart school libraries. Emerging intell... more The paper discusses emerging intelligent technologies for smart school libraries. Emerging intelligent technologies are innovations in technologies, software, or applications that enable librarians to adequately prepare and present information content in an enticing way to users or learners, resulting in effective information service delivery. It pictured a smart school library as a smart center in the school library that makes learning and other educational activities interactive. Speed reading software, Plotagon, and mathematics problem-solving software amongst others were identified as emerging intelligent technologies that can be used for smart school libraries. The paper acknowledged the absence of technological literacy, poor attitude of library personnel, and poor funding as factors militating against the use of emerging intelligent technologies in school libraries. Therefore, it was recommended amongst others, that school librarians regard emerging intelligent technologies as agents of library transformation since this will help them accept and employ such technologies.

Information Impact: Journal of Information and Knowledge Management

This paper investigates the role of Librarians as change agents for sustainable library and infor... more This paper investigates the role of Librarians as change agents for sustainable library and information service delivery in a digital society. The purpose of the study were: to ascertain the types of Library and information service delivery; to investigate Librarians’ role as change agents for sustainable library and information service delivery; to find out the challenges librarians face as change agents for sustainable library and information service delivery; and to proffer solution to enhance librarians’ role as change agents towards the sustainable library and information service delivery in a digital society. The study adopts a conceptual review based on previous research. It was recommended that Librarians as change agents should re-examine and reconfigure their job roles in library and information service delivery for relevance in their field, there is a need to meet up with their multi-dimensional job roles to sustain library and information service delivery in a digital so...

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2020

The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China and the attendant explosion o... more The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China and the attendant explosion of "fake news" brings to the fore the need for Librarians and Libraries as well as other information providers to offer access to dependable information resources for the consumption of their patrons and users. Giving access to reliable sources of information and resources with minimal barriers comprises cooperation among Librarians and Libraries. This article surveyed the roles of Librarians and Libraries in response to the problems of fake news and misinformation arising from the outbreak of COVID-19 focusing on how librarians and other information professionals in Nigeria have articulated the difficulties and the approaches put in place for combating misinformation. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study, and twenty-four (24) Federal Universities were randomly selected across the six (6) geopolitical zones of the country. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics, and presented in tables and graphs. The study showed that Librarians should conduct a background search on sources of information to determine their authenticity and reliability before making them available to the clients.

This paper addresses reading culture, benefits and the role of libraries in the 21 century. The p... more This paper addresses reading culture, benefits and the role of libraries in the 21 century. The paper x-rays the World Book Day as a day for celebration of reading around the world. Reading exposes one to solutions to problems. The role of library cannot be over emphasized when it comes to promotion of reading culture as it offers diverse services to users of information. Some of the role of libraries in promoting reading culture include to promote literacy, offering depth and breadth of resources, secondary school students’ participation in library week among others. It was concluded that people read for different reasons aside education, this among others include self-improvement, pleasure, and relaxation. People should Read a Book a Day and Share A Story for at least 10 minutes. However, reading culture should be included in library collections, readership campaigns, reading clubs and World Book Day Activities.

Mentoring is as old as human history. It has been acclaimed to be a strategy for equipping those ... more Mentoring is as old as human history. It has been acclaimed to be a strategy for equipping those involved with functional and sellable skills. This paper is therefore aimed at x-raying the various ways academic mentoring can be used to improve Higher Education for quality assurance in Teacher Education in Nigeria. One of such ways is establishing academic mentor management committee within the education system to promote academic mentoring through all relevant education channels. This will aid growth in the profession and equally increase quality assurance in education. The authors are very sure that, our educational system having reached this level, should embrace the gains that will surely accrue from this timeless strategy for equipping our teachers with functional and sellable skills.

The library is an organized systematic procedure for information retrieval. This is also sometime... more The library is an organized systematic procedure for information retrieval. This is also sometimes disorganized which makes many users disappointed and grow apathy, especially students from unfamiliar library environment. The electronic form of information provides new opportunities for both library staff and users, while the non-electronic gives a systematic approach to information. This article examines these two means of providing information to users from primary sources. The paper established the fact that none of these two methods of obtaining information from the library can be independent of the other without the total collaboration of the two as necessary means to users.

Information Impact: Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 2020

This paper discussed effective marketing of library and information services in the digital age. ... more This paper discussed effective marketing of library and information services in the digital age. It focused on librarians marketing themselves and library services which require the application of ICT through web 2.0 tools; these include WhatsApp, email, face book, You-tube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telephone, etc to reach out to their clientele in order to satisfy their information needs. The study adopted a conceptual review based on previous research. It x-rays the need to market LIS to increase usage, whether onsite or remote for sustainable development. There were some challenges such as ignorance among librarians, lack of ICT infrastructure, lack of awareness of the public in their right to information, lack of fund and lack of training and retraining of library staff. However, some strategies, implications and recommendations were proffered. It was concluded that effective marketing be used to promote access to library and information services as a panacea towards sustainable Niger...

This paper addresses the management of social media and electronic resources in Nigerian librarie... more This paper addresses the management of social media and electronic resources in Nigerian libraries and the issues associated with their use which could be because of human and /or material resources. Participants were acquainted with intentional approach on how to use and manage social media and electronic information resources to promote e-resources to library community for effective library and information service delivery. However, some challenges were encountered, and strategies proffered. Conclusion and recommendation were drawn that Social media and electronic resources are used for innovative library and information service delivery. Policy framework and policy guideline should be provided for selection and acquisition of e-resources. Libraries should ensure that they train librarians who will be experts in handling and Managing media and electronic resource systems which are more complex than library management systems.

This study is a qualitative review on the roles of libraries in enhancing political integration i... more This study is a qualitative review on the roles of libraries in enhancing political integration in Nigeria. There is need to foster national integration from the political dimension through library which is a key information institution. This view is presented in terms of the library enhancing political consciousness and participation, federalism, democratic governance, and individual's response to political campaign messages. It is concluded that library as a social-based information institution is rightly positioned to function outside the box to meet the political information needs of the public and equip them to become better citizens that are politically inclined. Thus, the authors recommend that libraries should provide equitable access to political information, provide media literacy skills, create awareness on the need for political participation and provide rural dwellers with information to meet their educational, medical, political, economic, and social needs. Key wo...

Wikipedia and Academic Libraries, 2021

Wikimedia as a foundation is the mother of all Wikis. “It supports hundreds of people around the ... more Wikimedia as a foundation is the mother of all Wikis. “It supports hundreds of people around the world in creating the largest free knowledge projects in history” (Wikimedia foundation, https://wikimediafoundation.org). Its resources give benefits that can emerge from the collaboration of librarians and Wikimedia. However, despite the rich contents and vast availability of information on Wikimedia, many scholars refute the credibility of Wikimedia contents. This chapter addresses the benefits and values of African academic libraries partnering with Wikimedia projects and gives a brief definition on the concepts of Wikimedia and Wikipedia. How academic libraries directly improve Wikimedia resources for a reliable information; particularly, it highlights the need to rightly posit librarians as custodians of knowledge, relating the campaigns of 1Lib1Ref and other related projects where librarians in Africa through the African Library and Information Associations and Institution (AfLIA)...

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 2016

The aim of this paper is to examine the concept and characteristics of library and information sc... more The aim of this paper is to examine the concept and characteristics of library and information science (LIS) vis-à-vis knowledge societies, and the emerging ICT skills in librarianship for knowledge societies. In addition, the study recommends strategies for enhancing the training of LIS professionals to meet industrial needs for knowledge societies. The researcher employed conceptual framework and critical examination to explore the concept of re-engineering LIS education, the state of LIS education and the requirements for meeting industrial needs for knowledge societies. There is a need to review the content and method of LIS education to inject more ICT content and approaches. If implemented, this will open up new avenues not only for the user community but also for the library profession. LIS constitutes a key factor in creating, developing and maintaining knowledge societies. To be able to achieve this, LIS education must equip library and information professionals with relevant ICT competencies. Consequently, there is need for re-engineering of LIS education in the area of methods and content of training for the LIS profession so as to meet industrial needs for knowledge societies. The value of this study lies in its exposition of the contemporary industrial needs and expectations of LIS education especially in the area of information and communication technology.

Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia, 1999

Blended learning is fast becoming a method of teaching and learning in higher institutions especi... more Blended learning is fast becoming a method of teaching and learning in higher institutions especially with the significant paradigm shift to collaborative technologies. Although there may not be any stated policy framework on the adoption of blended learning in higher institutions, it is being used by educators and students to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Library as a formidable part of any institution has a role to play in supporting teaching and learning innovation. Blended learning is characterized by blending the traditional teaching method with

Library Philosophy and Practice, 2021

The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China and the attendant explosion o... more The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China and the attendant explosion of “fake news” brings to the fore the need for Librarians and Libraries as well as other information providers to offer access to dependable information resources for the consumption of their patrons and users. Giving access to reliable sources of information and resources with minimal barriers comprises cooperation among Librarians and Libraries. This article surveyed the roles of Librarians and Libraries in response to the problems of fake news and misinformation arising from the outbreak of COVID-19 focusing on how librarians and other information professionals in Nigeria have articulated the difficulties and the approaches put in place for combating misinformation. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study, and twenty-four (24) Federal Universities were randomly selected across the six (6) geopolitical zones of the country. Data were analysed using simple descriptive sta...

International Journal of Information Processing and Communication, 2020

The study surveyed information needs and seeking behaviour of library and information science (LI... more The study surveyed information needs and seeking behaviour of library and information science (LIS) students of Rivers State University in digital age. Descriptive research survey method was used with a population of 324 undergraduate students of the Department of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University from which a sample of 245 was drawn. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency distribution and Percentages. The findings revealed that the information needs of students were academics, ICT and Internet. Examination and assignment were the motivating factors and they consulted lecturers and lecture notes, personal collections, internet and colleagues when seeking for information. They were using the information for academic and personal improvement and decision making. The trend among students were internet and social media. However, the factors that militated against the information seeking behaviour of undergraduate students were inadequate internet search skills, lack of computer and information overload. It was therefore recommended among other things that libraries should be equipped with the latest technologies and online databases as well as boost their orientation programmes to educate students about Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) and digital information seeking training to encourage students utilize library electronic information resources.

The paper discusses emerging intelligent technologies for smart school libraries. Emerging intell... more The paper discusses emerging intelligent technologies for smart school libraries. Emerging intelligent technologies are innovations in technologies, software, or applications that enable librarians to adequately prepare and present information content in an enticing way to users or learners, resulting in effective information service delivery. It pictured a smart school library as a smart center in the school library that makes learning and other educational activities interactive. Speed reading software, Plotagon, and mathematics problem-solving software amongst others were identified as emerging intelligent technologies that can be used for smart school libraries. The paper acknowledged the absence of technological literacy, poor attitude of library personnel, and poor funding as factors militating against the use of emerging intelligent technologies in school libraries. Therefore, it was recommended amongst others, that school librarians regard emerging intelligent technologies as agents of library transformation since this will help them accept and employ such technologies.

Information Impact: Journal of Information and Knowledge Management

This paper investigates the role of Librarians as change agents for sustainable library and infor... more This paper investigates the role of Librarians as change agents for sustainable library and information service delivery in a digital society. The purpose of the study were: to ascertain the types of Library and information service delivery; to investigate Librarians’ role as change agents for sustainable library and information service delivery; to find out the challenges librarians face as change agents for sustainable library and information service delivery; and to proffer solution to enhance librarians’ role as change agents towards the sustainable library and information service delivery in a digital society. The study adopts a conceptual review based on previous research. It was recommended that Librarians as change agents should re-examine and reconfigure their job roles in library and information service delivery for relevance in their field, there is a need to meet up with their multi-dimensional job roles to sustain library and information service delivery in a digital so...

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2020

The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China and the attendant explosion o... more The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China and the attendant explosion of "fake news" brings to the fore the need for Librarians and Libraries as well as other information providers to offer access to dependable information resources for the consumption of their patrons and users. Giving access to reliable sources of information and resources with minimal barriers comprises cooperation among Librarians and Libraries. This article surveyed the roles of Librarians and Libraries in response to the problems of fake news and misinformation arising from the outbreak of COVID-19 focusing on how librarians and other information professionals in Nigeria have articulated the difficulties and the approaches put in place for combating misinformation. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study, and twenty-four (24) Federal Universities were randomly selected across the six (6) geopolitical zones of the country. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics, and presented in tables and graphs. The study showed that Librarians should conduct a background search on sources of information to determine their authenticity and reliability before making them available to the clients.

This paper addresses reading culture, benefits and the role of libraries in the 21 century. The p... more This paper addresses reading culture, benefits and the role of libraries in the 21 century. The paper x-rays the World Book Day as a day for celebration of reading around the world. Reading exposes one to solutions to problems. The role of library cannot be over emphasized when it comes to promotion of reading culture as it offers diverse services to users of information. Some of the role of libraries in promoting reading culture include to promote literacy, offering depth and breadth of resources, secondary school students’ participation in library week among others. It was concluded that people read for different reasons aside education, this among others include self-improvement, pleasure, and relaxation. People should Read a Book a Day and Share A Story for at least 10 minutes. However, reading culture should be included in library collections, readership campaigns, reading clubs and World Book Day Activities.

Mentoring is as old as human history. It has been acclaimed to be a strategy for equipping those ... more Mentoring is as old as human history. It has been acclaimed to be a strategy for equipping those involved with functional and sellable skills. This paper is therefore aimed at x-raying the various ways academic mentoring can be used to improve Higher Education for quality assurance in Teacher Education in Nigeria. One of such ways is establishing academic mentor management committee within the education system to promote academic mentoring through all relevant education channels. This will aid growth in the profession and equally increase quality assurance in education. The authors are very sure that, our educational system having reached this level, should embrace the gains that will surely accrue from this timeless strategy for equipping our teachers with functional and sellable skills.

The library is an organized systematic procedure for information retrieval. This is also sometime... more The library is an organized systematic procedure for information retrieval. This is also sometimes disorganized which makes many users disappointed and grow apathy, especially students from unfamiliar library environment. The electronic form of information provides new opportunities for both library staff and users, while the non-electronic gives a systematic approach to information. This article examines these two means of providing information to users from primary sources. The paper established the fact that none of these two methods of obtaining information from the library can be independent of the other without the total collaboration of the two as necessary means to users.

Information Impact: Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 2020

This paper discussed effective marketing of library and information services in the digital age. ... more This paper discussed effective marketing of library and information services in the digital age. It focused on librarians marketing themselves and library services which require the application of ICT through web 2.0 tools; these include WhatsApp, email, face book, You-tube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telephone, etc to reach out to their clientele in order to satisfy their information needs. The study adopted a conceptual review based on previous research. It x-rays the need to market LIS to increase usage, whether onsite or remote for sustainable development. There were some challenges such as ignorance among librarians, lack of ICT infrastructure, lack of awareness of the public in their right to information, lack of fund and lack of training and retraining of library staff. However, some strategies, implications and recommendations were proffered. It was concluded that effective marketing be used to promote access to library and information services as a panacea towards sustainable Niger...

This paper addresses the management of social media and electronic resources in Nigerian librarie... more This paper addresses the management of social media and electronic resources in Nigerian libraries and the issues associated with their use which could be because of human and /or material resources. Participants were acquainted with intentional approach on how to use and manage social media and electronic information resources to promote e-resources to library community for effective library and information service delivery. However, some challenges were encountered, and strategies proffered. Conclusion and recommendation were drawn that Social media and electronic resources are used for innovative library and information service delivery. Policy framework and policy guideline should be provided for selection and acquisition of e-resources. Libraries should ensure that they train librarians who will be experts in handling and Managing media and electronic resource systems which are more complex than library management systems.

This study is a qualitative review on the roles of libraries in enhancing political integration i... more This study is a qualitative review on the roles of libraries in enhancing political integration in Nigeria. There is need to foster national integration from the political dimension through library which is a key information institution. This view is presented in terms of the library enhancing political consciousness and participation, federalism, democratic governance, and individual's response to political campaign messages. It is concluded that library as a social-based information institution is rightly positioned to function outside the box to meet the political information needs of the public and equip them to become better citizens that are politically inclined. Thus, the authors recommend that libraries should provide equitable access to political information, provide media literacy skills, create awareness on the need for political participation and provide rural dwellers with information to meet their educational, medical, political, economic, and social needs. Key wo...

Wikipedia and Academic Libraries, 2021

Wikimedia as a foundation is the mother of all Wikis. “It supports hundreds of people around the ... more Wikimedia as a foundation is the mother of all Wikis. “It supports hundreds of people around the world in creating the largest free knowledge projects in history” (Wikimedia foundation, https://wikimediafoundation.org). Its resources give benefits that can emerge from the collaboration of librarians and Wikimedia. However, despite the rich contents and vast availability of information on Wikimedia, many scholars refute the credibility of Wikimedia contents. This chapter addresses the benefits and values of African academic libraries partnering with Wikimedia projects and gives a brief definition on the concepts of Wikimedia and Wikipedia. How academic libraries directly improve Wikimedia resources for a reliable information; particularly, it highlights the need to rightly posit librarians as custodians of knowledge, relating the campaigns of 1Lib1Ref and other related projects where librarians in Africa through the African Library and Information Associations and Institution (AfLIA)...

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 2016

The aim of this paper is to examine the concept and characteristics of library and information sc... more The aim of this paper is to examine the concept and characteristics of library and information science (LIS) vis-à-vis knowledge societies, and the emerging ICT skills in librarianship for knowledge societies. In addition, the study recommends strategies for enhancing the training of LIS professionals to meet industrial needs for knowledge societies. The researcher employed conceptual framework and critical examination to explore the concept of re-engineering LIS education, the state of LIS education and the requirements for meeting industrial needs for knowledge societies. There is a need to review the content and method of LIS education to inject more ICT content and approaches. If implemented, this will open up new avenues not only for the user community but also for the library profession. LIS constitutes a key factor in creating, developing and maintaining knowledge societies. To be able to achieve this, LIS education must equip library and information professionals with relevant ICT competencies. Consequently, there is need for re-engineering of LIS education in the area of methods and content of training for the LIS profession so as to meet industrial needs for knowledge societies. The value of this study lies in its exposition of the contemporary industrial needs and expectations of LIS education especially in the area of information and communication technology.

Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia, 1999

Blended learning is fast becoming a method of teaching and learning in higher institutions especi... more Blended learning is fast becoming a method of teaching and learning in higher institutions especially with the significant paradigm shift to collaborative technologies. Although there may not be any stated policy framework on the adoption of blended learning in higher institutions, it is being used by educators and students to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Library as a formidable part of any institution has a role to play in supporting teaching and learning innovation. Blended learning is characterized by blending the traditional teaching method with

Library Philosophy and Practice, 2021

The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China and the attendant explosion o... more The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China and the attendant explosion of “fake news” brings to the fore the need for Librarians and Libraries as well as other information providers to offer access to dependable information resources for the consumption of their patrons and users. Giving access to reliable sources of information and resources with minimal barriers comprises cooperation among Librarians and Libraries. This article surveyed the roles of Librarians and Libraries in response to the problems of fake news and misinformation arising from the outbreak of COVID-19 focusing on how librarians and other information professionals in Nigeria have articulated the difficulties and the approaches put in place for combating misinformation. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study, and twenty-four (24) Federal Universities were randomly selected across the six (6) geopolitical zones of the country. Data were analysed using simple descriptive sta...

International Journal of Information Processing and Communication, 2020

The study surveyed information needs and seeking behaviour of library and information science (LI... more The study surveyed information needs and seeking behaviour of library and information science (LIS) students of Rivers State University in digital age. Descriptive research survey method was used with a population of 324 undergraduate students of the Department of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University from which a sample of 245 was drawn. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency distribution and Percentages. The findings revealed that the information needs of students were academics, ICT and Internet. Examination and assignment were the motivating factors and they consulted lecturers and lecture notes, personal collections, internet and colleagues when seeking for information. They were using the information for academic and personal improvement and decision making. The trend among students were internet and social media. However, the factors that militated against the information seeking behaviour of undergraduate students were inadequate internet search skills, lack of computer and information overload. It was therefore recommended among other things that libraries should be equipped with the latest technologies and online databases as well as boost their orientation programmes to educate students about Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) and digital information seeking training to encourage students utilize library electronic information resources.