Amidst an atmosphere teeming with culture, enchanting choral performances, and a dazzling display of intellectual prowess, the Inaugural Valedictory Lecture celebrating the esteemed tenure of Professor Felicia Edu-Uwem Etim, outgoing University Librarian, unfolded on March 28, 2024, within the grandeur of the Postgraduate School’s Auditorium.
During the send-forth event chaired by Vice Chancellor Professor Teddy Charles Adias, he eloquently praised the exceptional qualities of the valedictorian, Professor Felicia Edu-Uwem Etim, highlighting her pivotal role in his journey of success at FUO. Reflecting on the interview that led to his appointment as Vice Chancellor, he fondly remembered Professor Etim’s presence on the panel. Despite the challenging questions posed, her reassuring smiles throughout signaled confidence and support, affirming his capabilities.
Professor Adias spoke in glowing terms, describing the valedictorian’s departure during a critical period as this, as a clear testament to her lasting impact on the growth of Federal University Otuoke. He emphasized that while she may be leaving, she will forever remain an integral part of the University community. Her expertise, advice, and guidance will continue to be sought after and valued, ensuring her ongoing influence and connection with the institution.
In her Valedictory Lecture titled, “From Storehouses to Catalysts: Managing Change in 21st Century University Libraries,” Professor Felicia Edu-Uwem Etim delved into the crucial role of libraries in the acquisition and preservation of knowledge, particularly within the context of universities considered as information societies.
Drawing from the Nigerian Educational Research Council (1973), she emphasized the fundamental aims of University education. These include nurturing individuals and society by instilling proper values, enhancing intellectual capacities to grasp and value their surroundings, fostering the acquisition of practical skills for community contribution, and promoting a balanced perspective of both local and global environments.
“In my interview for the University Librarian position, I presented a Five-year Strategic Priorities/Action Plan for Federal University Otuoke Library 2019-2024. I made a concerted effort to adhere closely to this action plan. Part of this lecture reflects on the progress made in implementing the action plan,” she mentioned, underscoring her proactive approach to library administration at FUO.
Professor Etim explored the intricate details of library administration, delineating it as the overarching process of formulating policies, establishing major objectives, defining general purposes, and outlining broad programs and goals. She subtly distinguished administration as the entity making pivotal decisions for an enterprise, while management operates within the established administrative framework. Within this context, library administration encompasses overseeing the library’s performance and making critical decisions to ensure seamless access to resources.
Furthermore, she elaborated that managing a University library entails efficiently and effectively overseeing material resources (such as information materials), equipment, facilities, personnel, and finances to achieve both the library’s objectives and those of the parent institution, the University. She highlighted the service-oriented nature of library management, which combines essential management functions and interpersonal skills. This includes maintaining positive public relations, playing an informational role by continuously monitoring and disseminating information, and meeting the diverse needs of various user groups.
Professor Etim delved into the realm of Information Management within University libraries, explaining the intrinsic value of information, particularly concerning documented or recorded data—a core focus for Universities. This encompasses critical elements such as timeliness, accuracy, relevance, and completeness. Consequently, effective information management becomes indispensable in optimizing the efficiency and productivity of a university library, creating a vibrant and efficient atmosphere for both library staff and users. It’s noteworthy that libraries are transitioning beyond conventional book and document repositories, evolving into centres that house a wide array of information formats, including digital resources, multimedia content, and online databases.
Professor Etim’s insights illuminate the profound impact of emerging technologies on the evolution of libraries from mere storehouses to dynamic catalysts for knowledge dissemination.
She passionately argues that Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront, revolutionizing library services by enhancing efficiency, accessibility, and user experiences.
Through AI applications, libraries now offer expanded access to knowledge in diverse formats and languages, utilizing tools such as information retrieval systems and virtual assistants. Professor Etim highlights game-changing technologies like ChatGPT, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Cloud Computing, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Data Visualization, Mobile-Based Library Services, Federated and Intelligent Library Search, and Virtual Library applications. These innovations have propelled libraries into a new era of transformation, exponentially increasing the availability and accessibility of knowledge resources.
The valedictorian succinctly illuminated the profound challenges faced by university library administration amidst the dynamic landscape of technological advancements and expanding knowledge domains. She highlighted the underestimation of complexities in book processing, evolving scholarly communication norms, issues of academic integrity and plagiarism, infrastructural shortcomings, equipment inadequacies, staff proficiency gaps, and the ongoing struggle for supremacy between ICT and library professionals. Additionally, she emphasized the critical importance of verifying programme resources and securing accreditation amidst resource constraints, outlining these as fundamental hurdles encountered by the University library user community, exemplified by FUO.
Professor Felicia Edu-Uwem Etim proudly highlighted her accomplishments as the University Librarian since 2019 through her Five-year Strategic Priorities/Action Plan, encompassing seven pivotal goals. These include setting a strategic course for the University Library by formulating policies and creating a roadmap, establishing a professional organizational framework, prioritizing strategic collection development and processing, maintaining an integrated ICT infrastructure and services, enhancing user-friendly experiences in the library, ensuring long-term curation and preservation of resources, and contributing to revenue generation to bolster University support.
In this vein, she facilitated the inauguration of a University Library Committee, domesticated the University Library mandate, established a Vision and Mission statement for FUO, and spearheaded a robust organizational restructure within the library, prioritizing professionalism and efficiency. This included a strategic overhaul of the library’s organogram, promoting continuous professional development and academic advancement. Under her leadership, a strong focus was placed on encouraging research endeavours and publishing initiatives. Notably, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Library and Information Science program.
Through her efforts, there was a significant expansion in the library’s collection, growing from 3,079 titles in 2019 to an impressive 12,167 titles by 2024, with a substantial contribution of 7,526 books from TETFUND. She also orchestrated University-wide workshops and training sessions, enhancing access to global e-resources and organizing successful University book fairs and exhibitions.
In addition, Professor Etim successfully implemented library TetFund interventions, ensuring accreditation and verification of various programs while championing research integrity through the institutionalization of plagiarism checkers. The improvement of furniture, equipment, and the integration of ICT infrastructure streamlined operations and enhanced user experiences through initiatives like library user registration.
Her strategic vision extended to long-term curation and preservation efforts, culminating in the development of crucial policy documents. Additionally, her initiatives included the remodelling, furnishing, and commissioning of the FUO Central Library Complex, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s growth and development under her catalytic leadership at the Federal University Otuoke.
Professor Felicia Edu-Uwem Etim’s Inaugural Valedictory Lecture in Federal University Otuoke showcased an awe-inspiring resume and a remarkable list of accomplishments achieved in just five years.
The event was spiced up with dances, choral rendition, dance display by the security unit, awards and goodwill messages.
From the Publications Unit