By Idris Umar, Zaria The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Kabiru Bala, has highlighted the importance of recognizing the ch...
By Idris Umar, Zaria
The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Kabiru Bala, has highlighted the importance of recognizing the challenges faced by law libraries in the digital age during the 47th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Law Librarians (NALL). The conference, themed “Promoting Diversity and Inclusiveness through Innovative Law Library and Information Service Delivery in Nigeria,” was held at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, on Tuesday, 27th August 2024.
In his opening address, Prof. Bala, represented by the Acting University Librarian, Dr. Abdulhamid Gambo Liman, emphasized that the advent of online databases and electronic resources has revolutionized legal research, bringing with it new challenges related to accessibility, authenticity, and affordability. He stressed that law libraries must remain relevant and accessible to all who seek knowledge and justice, urging them to embrace technology while upholding the timeless values of scholarship, integrity, and service.
“We must also recognize that the mission of law libraries extends beyond the confines of their physical walls. In an increasingly interconnected world, we have a duty to promote global collaboration and knowledge sharing to foster a community of scholars and practitioners dedicated to the pursuit of justice and the rule of law,” Prof. Bala stated.
He further elaborated that law libraries are not just repositories of books and documents but are also bastions of knowledge, guardians of justice, and pillars of democracy. They serve as sanctuaries where the principles of law and justice are preserved for future generations.
Delivering the keynote speech, Prof. Umar Ibrahim of the Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, commended NALL for being the oldest form of librarianship in Nigeria and for successfully hosting 47 national conferences and annual general meetings with themes that align with global best practices. Prof. Umar, a former University Librarian at Ahmadu Bello University, praised NALL members for their contributions to scholarly and research outputs, noting their deep awareness of current trends in the field.
In his welcome address, NALL President Nuraddeen Ibrahim Safana encouraged members to stay updated on current trends in library activities, particularly in the area of Artificial Intelligence. He also urged members to publish papers at conferences to build and develop their capacities and competencies in fulfilling their professional duties.
Some of the papers presented at the conference included “Sustainable Access to Law Library Services in a Technology-Driven Environment: Challenges and Opportunities” by Dr. Aminu Musa Umar of Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; “Managing Staff Diversity for Effective Service Delivery in Law Libraries in Nigeria: A Conceptual Approach” by Prof. Uluocha Anyaogu of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Lagos; and “The Law Library of the Future: Leveraging Generative AI for Enhanced Services” delivered by Dr. Mustapha Aminu Bagiwa of the Department of Computer Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
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