Library and Information Science Department

The Department of Library and Information Science, Madonna University was started in October, 1999 as one of the first library schools in a private University. The information profession is concerned with the ways people create, collect, organize, store, analyze, find, disseminate, and use information. The subject discipline that forms the basis for this field is called information. It is on the basis of the global happenings in the information field, rapid growth in information and communication technologies and of course, rapid changes in the labour market that has been prominent factors in the establishment of the library and information science in Madonna University, Nigeria Okija Campus.

The programme is intended to be a basic professional training designed to prepare competent and dedicated information managers that are ICT compliant for all libraries and information centres. It provides for compulsory, optional and elective course intended to meet the individual student’s interest and the labour demands in an electronically-oriented information age. The compulsory courses, which constitute the core of the programme and the optional courses, may be taken within or outside the department. But all elective courses are available outside the department of library and information science. The philosophy of education for library and information science is based upon the NUC benchmark and the national objectives, as contained in section 1, paragraph 1 of the national policy on education, thus:

(a) A free and policy on education:

(b) A just and democratic society;

(c) A united, strong and self-reliant nation;

(d) A great and dynamic economy;

(e) A land of bright and full opportunities for all citizens.

Objective

Apart from the role of libraries in educational institutions, the objectives of the programme are:

(a) To provide library and information professionals for all types of libraries, information and documentation centres

(b) To equip the products of the programme with relevant theoretical knowledge, practical skills and techniques to develop and enhance their job performance.

(c) To encourage the spirit of enquiry and creativity among the library and information professionals so that they are capable of understanding the emerging concepts of the role of information in a complex multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and largely non-literate society like Nigeria.

(d) To provide prospective library and information professionals with the intellectual and professional background adequate for their assignment and to make them adequate to any changing situation.

(e) To provide an understanding of the role of the new communications technology (e.g. internet) in the handling of information.

Admission Requirements

The Department runs three and four-year B.LIS degree programmes. It admits students to the four-year degree programmes from the one-year remedial (preliminary) programme of the university. To qualify for admission, the candidate must obtain an acceptable score in the Unified Tertriary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by JAMB, and must also possess at least five credits in WASC/NECO or their equivalent, including English Language and Mathematics, in not more than two sittings. Candidates seeking the direct entry admission must possess one of the following qualifications.

1. Five credits in GCE ordinary level or its equivalent, including English language with least pass in mathematics plus two advanced level in GCE/HSC/IJMB examinations, or four credits at ordinary level plus three advanced level passes.

2. The Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE).

3. The Diploma in Library and Information Science passed at a credit level from a recognized tertiary institution.

NB: Holder of the Nigeria certificate education or the diploma in library and information science must have at least four credits, including English language in GCE ordinary level.

Structure of the B.LIS Programme in Library and Information Science

Job Opportunities