The Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, on Wednesday held its 129th inaugural lecture, urging transformation of library and information services from print to digital to meet demands of a knowledge-driven global economy.
The lecture, “From Print to Pixel: Digitalizing Library and Information Services in a Knowledge-Based Economy,” was delivered by Professor Jennifer Ngozi Igwela, Professor of Library and Information Science, at the Dr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Senate Building. Vice-Chancellor Isaac Zeb-Obipi noted the world has entered a digital era, challenging academics to reflect on how this shift has reshaped libraries.
Prof. Igwela contrasted print as centuries of tangible knowledge with “pixel” as limitless, anytime-anywhere digital access. She stressed that in a knowledge-based economy, information is a key economic asset for innovation and development. She cited limits of print-centric libraries: space, time, and physical access constraints, with manual cataloguing delaying research. “One article could take a whole day to retrieve,” she said.
Key drivers of digital transformation are technological advancement, exponential information growth, user demand for instant remote access, and economic factors. Emerging tools include AI for retrieval and user support, and blockchain for transparency and intellectual property protection. She called for continuous training of librarians as data managers and digital service experts: “Equipment without trained personnel is meaningless.”
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While acknowledging the digital divide, she described digital libraries as “lifelines” that bridge educational gaps and reduce social vices. Benefits include global collaboration, open research access, and long-term preservation, but require sustained government investment and policy. She declared the print-to-digital shift inevitable: “It is time to have a digital vice-chancellor and a digital librarian.”
VC Zeb-Obipi reaffirmed RSU’s commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure, stating, “No nation can rise above the quality of its knowledge systems.” Prof. Igwela was decorated as the 129th inaugural lecturer. Dignitaries included Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu and FUET VC Prince Chinedu Mmom.
Speaking to journalists, she reiterated that “readers are leaders,” urging government to equip libraries in all primary, secondary schools, and LGAs. She clarified digitalization complements traditional books for fast, current information. On electricity challenges, she insisted solutions are achievable: “Nigeria has the resources; it is about channeling them to the right places.” The lecture positioned libraries as critical drivers of a knowledge-based economy.
Destiny Tamunoala Emmanuel
