Department of Library and Information Science

Dr. John Gibson Ogonu

Ag. Head of Department

Library and Information Science

The Department of Library and Information Science run programmes leading to the award of Bachelor of Library and Information Science (B.LIS) Degree. This is to promote professional and practical educational pursuit in the study of Library and Information Science.

The department encompasses specialized areas which include: Information Literacy, Knowledge Management, Indexing and Abstracting, ICT in Library and Information Science; Emerging Technologies and Library Resources and Services, Book Production, Publishing, Book Trade and E-resources, Library History and Management, Types of Libraries, Serials and Collection Management, Electronic Libraries, Management of Information Centres, Bibliographies and Library Services for the Rural Communities, Children and Adolescents. In this regard, Library and Information Science is a modern discipline which transverses all walks of life due to the unique importance of current information and knowledge to the smooth running of the society in this modern age. It is therefore strongly positioned to play a very essential role in emerging field of studies related to Library and Information Science such as Infopreneurship, digital and electronic librarianship, metadata, bibliometric, social media in librarianship and virtual referencing, etc.

Library and Information Science is multi-disciplinary and multi-facetted. Its role transverses all types of educational and related institutions, research institutes, governmental and non-governmental agencies and establishments for national as well as personal development, in rural and urban communities, corporate bodies, industries, national and global politics, businesses and conglomerates, etc. Current, timely information and knowledge make a world of difference between the developing and developed countries of the world today. The use of ICT and emerging technologies in accessing information is a further boost to this role.

In the light of the foregoing, it can be seen that the library and information science department will make very useful contributions to development at local, national and international level.

Profile of the Ag. HOD

Dr. John Gibson Ogonu hails from Rumuche Emohua in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. He was born into the family of Elder and Mrs. Gibson Ogonu of the Rumumgboh Royal Family in Rumuche Emohua. He began his early education at Universal Primary Education (UPE) School, Okwukwuetere Emohua, in 1978, and proceeded to Emmanuel College of Commerce and Community Secondary School, Rumuji, where he obtained his Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 1992. He later advanced to the University of Port Harcourt for his undergraduate studies and subsequently to the Imo State University for his postgraduate programmes, which he completed in 2019.

Dr. Ogonu holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Foreign Languages and Literature, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) from the University of Port Harcourt, a Master of Library and Information Science (MLS), and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Library and Information Science from Imo State University.

A scholar, researcher, academic administrator, publisher, and chartered librarian, Dr. Ogonu is a Reader (Associate Professor) and the currently serves as Head of the Department of Library and Information Science at Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Nigeria. His teaching and research interests include Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in libraries, library management and administration, publishing, and the organization of knowledge in academic institutions. He has published extensively in reputable local and international journals, demonstrating his dedication to advancing scholarship and professional practice in the field of Library and Information Science.

Staff list in the Department

Name	Rank	Area Of Specialisation	Email
Dr. J. G. Ogonu	Reader/Ag. HOD	Library Administration, Publishing and Organization of Knowledge	john.ogonu@ust.edu.ng
Prof. N. P. Okpokwasili. (CLN)	Professor	Library Bibliographic / Collection Development	okpowasili.nonyelum@ust.edu.ng
Prof. Mrs. Jennifer Ngozi Igwela	Proffessor	Knowledge Management and Digital Librarianship	igwela.ngozi@ust.edu.ng
Dr. V. O. Emmanuel	Senior Lecturer	Entrepreneurship Library and Information Science	emmanuel.vivien@ust.edu.ng
Dr, C. O. Nyemezu	Senior Lecturer	Academic Librarianship/school of Library	chidaka.nyemezu@ust.edu.ng
Dr. I. I. Ordu	Senior Lecturer	Information Science, Bibbliometrics/ICT	innocent.ordu@ust.edu.ng
Dr. M. E. Echem	Lecturer I	Achives and Record Management, Library Administration and Collection Development	mercy.echem@ust.edu,ng
ThankGod N. Dimpka	Lecturer I	Library and Society	thankgod.dimkpa@ust.edu.ng
Dr. Lasbery Adindu	Lecturer I	Organization of Knowledge/ Information Resources and Services	lasberyadindu@ust.edu.ng
Dr. R. O. Oladipupo	Lecturer II	School Library and Digital Libraries	roseline.oladipupo@ust.edu.ng
E. Ejuh	Lecturer II	Information and Communication Technology in Library	eberechi.ejuh@ust.edu.ng
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Akwu Wordsworth’s Kelechi	Administrative Office I		akwu.kelechi@ust.edu,ng
Chiorlu Vivian Chika	Senior Executive Officer		vivian.chiorlu@ust.edu.ng
Ajemina Melisa Lawson-Jack	Senior Executive Officer		ajemina.lawson.jack@ust.edu.ng
Likeness Elenwo	Administrative Officer I		likeness.elenwo@ust.edu.ng

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Department has the obligation equipping the student through teaching and research

STRUCTURE OF THE UNIT

The LIS Department organizational structure follows the patter below:

FOE

LIS Department

Staff Students

PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROGRAMMES

The Department of Library and Information Science was established to produce highly qualified librarians knowledgeable in the art of collection, organisation, storage, retrieval, dissemination of information, use of records as well as emerging technologies to provide ready access to economic, political, social and scientific information for accelerated development at the national and global levels.

OBJECTIVE

The Bachelor of Library and Information Science Programme aims to develop in students a critical appreciation and understanding of Library and Information Science, organisation and management of information resources, the art of collection, storage, retrieval of information through the use of both traditional and emerging technologies to meet the demands of the modern information environment where effective management and access to information is critical to accelerated development.

The programme, therefore, aims to achieve the following specific objectives:

To produce dynamic and resourceful Library and Information Managers in character and in learning capable of managing all types of libraries, information and documentation centres.
To produce Library and Information Managers with relevant theoretical knowledge, practical skills and techniques for effective and efficient job performance.
To create avenues for meeting the information needs of all segments of the population and promoting the library’s informational, educational and cultural roles in the society.
To produce Library and Information Managers capable of utilizing appropriate emerging technologies to locate, acquire, organize, preserve, store and disseminate information and information resources to users of library and information centres.
To fill manpower needs in the Library and Information Science profession and hence engender the culture of ready access to relevant information in the resolution of societal developmental issues at all levels of society.