Investing in employability of librarians: An impetus for enhancing the professionalism of librarians in Nigeria

Abstract

The ideals and hallmarks of every profession are enshrined in its body of knowledge, philosophies and principles guiding its operations, services and how its practitioners relate with the society. This paper discusses investing in employability of librarians as an impetus for enhancing the professionalism of librarians in Nigeria. It argues that career aspirations are essential motivators for professionals to develop the competence required to promote their profession. Itidentifies the likes of National Library of Nigeria, Nigerian Library Association, Librarians' Registration Council of Nigeria, National Association of Library and Information Science Educators, African Regional Center for Information Science and Library and Information Science Schools as professional agents responsible for strengthening and sustaining LIS practices in Nigeria. It proposes internationalisation of LIS education, indigenisation of Nigerian Librarianship, continuous training of librarians, internships, provision of libraries in government institutions and admission of other cadres into LRCN as strategies for enhancing professionalism of librarians and further justifies the need for employability as efforts aimed at supporting professionals to develop knowledge and skills required to excel in both their work and life. It concludes that Librarianship in Nigeria is in dire and urgent need of rebirth and sustainability and recommends amongst others that librarians should be intuitively inspired to learn new skills and techniques relevant to the contemporary world of library and information services.