The search for an appropriate level of training for practising librarians in developing countries. The Nigerian experience

Abstract

International library associations seek to establish universal standards in areas such as professional education. In Nigeria, however, the adoption of graduate-level training by the US-assisted library school has been controversial. The practice was felt by others to be irrelevant to the state of educational, socio-economic and library development in Nigeria. An undergraduate programme, on the other hand, would prepare librarians in sufficient numbers, without compromising the quality of service to the majority of the library clientele. The arguments for the graduate school centre on the need for high-quality service, particularly to university and research library patrons; status; and the need to meet international standards. Developments since the last decade have, however, rendered the controversy a non-issue, as graduates of both programmes complement each other in meeting the acute need for personnel for varying levels of services.