ACADEMIC LIBRARIES AS AGENTS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: A PARADIGM SHIFT

Abstract

The paper focuses on academic libraries as agents for national development: a paradigm shift. Uni-versities and colleges in Nigeria often overlook academic libraries as avenues for national development. This is especially true, given the lack of appropriate recognition of academic libraries by the national government. This paper therefore explained the meaning and functions of academic libraries, concept of national development, academic libraries as avenues for sustainable development with emphasis on utility for literacy and education, adapting to change, and collaboration with government and organiza-tions, as well as catalysts for addressing social needs and addressing youth restiveness. The conclusion of the paper is that academic libraries must seek for framework for the development of information and communication systems and services to meet national developmental needs. It was recommended that academic libraries should promote talks on democracy and political leadership, provide job and ca-reer information to solve unemployment as well as analytical information on key national development agenda.