Marketing of Library and Information Services in University Libraries: A Case Study of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Library, Sokoto-Nigeria
Marketing and promotion play a very vital role in creating awareness for library and information products and services. This paper discusses the importance of marketing and promotion in academic libraries with particular reference to Abdullahi Fodiyo Library Complex, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The paper also reports marketing strategies employed by Abdullahi Fodiyo Library in promoting and attracting more library clientele as well as keeping them for long in the library. The paper concludes by advising librarians to wake up to promote their libraries through advertisement, exhibitions and displays, publicity, public relations to mention but few.
Marketing Knowledge of Librarians: A Case Study of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria
This study examined knowledge of academic librarians in relation to marketing of library services and information products with particular reference to Olabisi Onabanjo University (O.O.U) Library. The paper focused on the concept of marketing as applied to librarianship, marketing knowledge of librarians, marketing strategies employed by libraries and librarians and challenges to effective marketing of library services and information products. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design of ex-post facto type. The population of study comprised all academic librarians in the University. Data was collected with the use of an instrument tagged, ‘Marketing Knowledge of Librarians Questionnaire’ (MKLQ) which has a reliability coefficient of 0.69. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data gather for the study. The findings indicated that the academic librarians of the university had moderate knowledge of marketing concepts and principles and used various techniques and strategies to market their library services and information products. Lack of funds, unstable Internet connectivity, inadequate ICTs skills amongst others were identified as major challenges to effective marketing of library services and information products among the librarians. Many recommendations were proffered amongst which were the encouragement of librarians to attend conferences, seminars and workshops on library marketing initiatives, use of library mobile applications and hand-held devices and the need to integrate marketing concepts and principles into the Nigerian Library schools curricula. Keywords : Library marketing strategies, Promoting library services and information products, Nigerian academic librarians
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, the European Language Portfolio, and language learning in higher education
Abstract This article explains the relevance of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the European Language Portfolio (ELP) to language learning in higher education, especially as regards the definition of aims and learning outcomes and the promotion of students' capacity to manage their own learning. After providing some historical background, the article expounds the CEFR's action-oriented approach, explores it conceptualisation of progression in language learning and its implications for language teaching, and suggests how it can be applied to the design, implementation and assessment of language learning programmes in higher education. It then introduces the ELP, explains how it can be used in conjunction with the CEFR to support coherent programme delivery while promoting reflective learning and student autonomy, and concludes by considering the role of self-assessment in the university's assessment framework. The article ends with a cautionary tale.