Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

Date of this Version

9-30-2014

Abstract

This paper is a concluding part of pilot study assessing awareness and application of some legal and ethical principles in professional codes to information service delivery by library information science professionals in Nigeria. Descriptive survey utilising questionnaire was adopted to gather data from 429 library and information science professionals in 24 federal universities in Nigeria. The questionnaire items were excerpts from IFLA/FAIFE Statements. Simple frequencies, percentages and correlation were used in data analysis. The conclusive results show that effective information service delivery is dependent on professional knowledge of legal/ethical principles; their practical application has marginal effect on the larger proportion of professionals; there is inescapable necessity for continuing professional development in legal/ethical responsibilities. Many respondents exhibited low or complete lack of knowledge of the underlying principles. Internal consistency of the measuring scales were adoptions. Further assessment using codes of ethics from NLA/LRCN of Nigeria could have contributed to a better evaluation. The results have implications for enlightenment and teaching of legal and ethical principles by the NLA/LRCN and library schools in Nigeria. This original survey fills a gap in the study of awareness and practice of legal and ethical principles of information service delivery. It is of value to professional bodies, all practicing information professionals and library schools particularly in Nigeria.

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