The Role of Libraries in Enhancing Industrial
Relations and Democracy in Nigeria
BY
Muhammad Etubi
Cataloguing Unit
University of Jos Library
etubim@gmail.com
A Paper Presented at NIPSS/NLA Annual Seminar held at The
National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru on 14th April,
2016.
Outline
-Introduction
-Industrial relations
-Democracy
-Ways of enhancing industrial relations and democracy
-Factors affecting libraries in the promotion of IR & D
-Recommendations
-Conclusion
Introduction
Libraries are social institutions that reflect and shape the
economic, social and political environment of their
communities through their functions and services. Otobo
(2000) wrote that social or cultural system influences
content of industrial relations because stakeholders in
industrial relations are also part of the whole social
system. A democratic environment is also influenced by
the social system. Libraries’ functions and services
shape the social system as whole, including industrial
relations and democracy.
Industrial Relations

Industrial relations refer to existing relations between
workers and their employers. Ratnam (2006:22) defines
industrial relations as “the relations between
management and unions or between representatives of
employees and representatives of employers.”
Democracy

Democracy is a system of government by the whole
population or all the eligible members of a state, normally
through elected representatives. The term is derived from the
Greek demokratia which was coined from demos (“people”)
and kratos (“rule”) in the middle of the 5th century BC to
indicate the political system then existing in some Greek
cities, particularly Athens where democracy began before its
spread to other regions of the world (Dahl, 2014).
The connection
Libraries
Industrial
Relations
Democracy
Ways of enhancing industrial relations and
democracy






Information literacy programme
Current awareness services
Encourage corporate contribution
Extension services
Collection of materials on IR and D
Consulting services
A. Information Literacy Programme
Reitz (2004) put the concept of information literacy as
skills acquired in the evaluation of information content
and understanding of technological infrastructure for
information transmission, and using them effectively.
a. Evaluation of Information content

Relevance
 Authenticity

Current etc.
Information literacy programme cont.
b. Technological Infrastructure:
 Computers and their features
 Scanners
 Flash drive
 Compact disk
 Memory card
 Modem
 Cables
Information literacy programme cont.
Skills
Locate
information
Information Literacy
Evaluate
Problem
solving
B. Current Awareness Services
It is a notification service to employees, employers,
politicians, electorate, union members etc, about
appointments, transfers, promotions, political rallies,
electioneering and more using:
 Weblogs
 Database searching
 News interface on library website
 E-mails etc.

C. Encourage Corporate Contribution
Contribution in form of:
 Funds
 Computers
 Position papers
 Bulletins
 Journals,
 Conference papers, etc.
D. Extension Services




Debates
Seminars,
Workshop,
Conferences
E. Collection of Materials on IR &D



Books
Journals
Pamphlets etc, on government labour policy, employee
condition of service, union bye-law or constitution,
political party manifestoes, election guidelines, offences
and penalties, and more.
F. Consulting Services



Assist in establishing IR & D information resource
centres.
Locating and harvesting of electronic resources on IR &
D.
Advise on appropriate information needed.
Factors affecting libraries in the promotion of
IR & D





Inadequate libraries’ parent institution’s support.
Inadequate fund.
Insufficient trained librarians.
Not enough national recognition.
Inadequate infrastructure.
Recommendations





Increased budgetary allocation
More information technology training for librarians
Libraries should be provided sufficient computers with
constant internet service.
Encourage private organisations’ contribution
Trade union training should include information literacy.
Conclusion

Libraries remain the social institutions advancing human
knowledge for the development of the society. The
function and services of libraries of today transcend the
traditional custodians of books to shaping stakeholders
of social, economic, and political environment. Libraries
require a more conscientious support from government
and private organisations to further enhance industrial
relations and democracy in Nigeria.
References



Dahl, R. A. (2014). Democracy. Retrieved January 9,
2015, from
www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/157129/democra
cy.
Otobo, D. (2000). Industrial Relations: Theory and
Controversies. Lagos: Malthouse Press Limited.
Ratnam, C. S. V. (2006). Industrial Relations. New
Delhi: Oxford University Press.
References cont.

Reitz, J. M. (2004). Dictionary for Library and
Information Science. Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited.
Independent search
Corporate contribution
Books, Journals, Pamphlets etc
Conference, Workshop, Seminar
Thank you and God Bless
SAYING
The lips must come together to enable them
whistle