Libraries as Platforms for Innovation and Creativity in Information Delivery Services in a Depressed Economy: An Overview of Nigeria

Information explosion of the 21st century has no doubt its attendants challenges, one of which is the unlimited and uncertain information landscape brought about by the application of ICTs on information creation, repackaging and dissemination platforms thus the need for creativity and innovation. Libraries as platforms for innovation and creativity in library and information services involve a continuous improvement for individuals, groups, customers and the entire library setup. It is a process which aimed at continuous improvement. It is therefore not a quick management fix but changing the way things are done within the profession and professional lifetimes. The main objective of this article is to show the increasing relevance of the knowledge production capability of information professionals in the context of information society in a depressed economy like Nigeria. Traditionally Library and information profession services are devised by them as guidelines and facilitators of knowledge. This prevents library and information professionals from playing key roles in or lagging behind in an innovation based economy of the 21st century. In an innovative and creative society, Library and information services embedded in information communication technologies becomes the main source of professional success and capability. However the particular character of library and information services means that privately owned knowledge seems to flow back to the public domain. The peculiarity necessitates continuous production of new products and services and rendering techniques, creative and innovative acts in which ever professionals are not individualistic but collective collaborative process. Emerging collaborative systems on computer networks such as the nets make libraries platforms for innovative and creativity in library and information services. Library and information practitioners may find it useful to study such systems to be able to develop and render the much needed innovative and creative services.