THE LIBRARY AS COMPENDIUM OF KNOWLEDGE TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

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Introduction

Compendium of Knowledge is a concise collection of information pertaining to a body of knowledge. A compendium may summarize a larger work. In most cases the body of knowledge will concern a specific field of human interest or endeavour (for example: hydrogeology, logology, ichthyology, phytosociology or myrmecology), while a general encyclopedia can be referred to as a compendium of all human knowledge.

The term human development has a variety of usages. Human potential or capability in this sense arises out of an individual’s psychological environment which determines the nature of the process of maturation - the development of a sense of self and self worth; an ego structure that governs involvement in social interaction; a capacity for moral judgement; a repertoire of coping skills for life course contingencies, motivational energy and orientation - in short; a personality variously equipped with its ‘capabilities’.

Human development is an approach focusing on the people themselves and the opportunities they have. With the finding that the economic growth does not bring automatic growth in wealth for everyone, human development focuses on the role of the people themselves in bringing human life to a better condition.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the historical background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Research Question, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Operational Definition of terms.

Historical Background of Federal Polytechnic Ilaro

According to Federalpolyilaro(2020), The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro was established by Decree No.33 of July 25, 1979. It was opened to students on November 15, 1979 on a temporary site provided by its host community, the ancient town of Ilaro, Ogun State. The first site of the Polytechnic was the premises of the Anglican Grammar School, Ilaro about half a kilometre from Ilaro township junction. The Polytechnic was on this temporary site till 1983 when it moved to its permanent site along Ilaro/Oja-Odan Road, about three kilometres from Ilaro township. It is also about 60 kilometres from Idiroko, a Nigerian Boarder town with Benin Republic. Ilaro town itself is an ancient town, land locked between Lagos and Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. The Polytechnic occupies a total of 898.116 hectares land area on its permanent site.

Access to Ilaro and indeed the Polytechnic can be gained from Abeokuta through Abeokuta-Lagos Road via Papalanto [22 km] or through Abeokuta-Owode road via Ibese [10km], from Lagos through Sango-Ota-Idiroko Road via Owode [15km] and from Sagamu through Sagamu-Obele Road via Papalanto. The location of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro makes for easy access of road traffic. There is a railway station in Ilaro township.

The master plan of the Polytechnic depicts two distinct campuses for the institution i.e. East and West campuses. The East campus has infrastructures in the form of staff quarters, student hostels, sports facilities, the main library, Directorate of Student Affairs, Medical Centre, Polyconsult and Industrial Services, Post Office, Works and Services Department, Petrol Station, Staff Schools (Nursery, Primary and Secondary), Student Computer Centre, School of Applied Science and School of Management Studies. The West Campus too has the Schools of Engineering and Environmental Studies, the Main Administrative Building and Annexes, Record and Data Control Unit, Information and Communication Technology [ICT] Centre, Physical and Academic Planning Unit, Central Examinations Building, Library Annex, Public Toilets, Staff Quarters, Guest House and a dam and waterworks.

Both Campuses are linked internally with motorable tarred roads provided with street lights and side-walks for pedestrians. Buildings are connected by pedestrian walkways and well-grassed lawns with beautiful landscaping. Car parks are provided in strategic areas within the Campuses. The area currently occupied physically by the Polytechnic is a small proportion of the entire land area it has; thus there is room for expansion.

The Institution has a master plan prepared at its inception and it has guided development of the Institution, especially in early years of establishment. In view of the downturn in the economy of the nation, the master plan has since been reviewed to reflect the current state of funding and essential needs. Consequently, development of the Institution is now been guided by the revised plan. (Federalpolyilaro, 2020).

Brief History of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro Library

The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro library came into existence with the establishment of the Polytechnic in 1979. The Library is the heart of the Polytechnic as it is responsible for the management of resources such as books, journals, electronic materials etc necessary for academic pursuits; i.e. studying, learning and research in the Institution (Federalpolyilaro, 2020).

The Library Organizational Structure

According to Federalpolyilaro (2020), the Polytechnic Librarian is a Principal Officer of the Polytechnic, an academic staff, a member of the Academic Board and the Administrative Head of the Library Division who is directly responsible and reporting to the Rector for the day-to-day administration of the Library. The Library is a large division of the Polytechnic System. It comprises the following Sections/Units:

(a) Acquisition

(b) Classification

(c) Cataloguing

(d) Circulation

(e) Serials

(f) Reference

(g) Short Loan or Reserved Book Resources

(h) Government Document and Special Collections

(i) Audio Visuals Resources

(j) Research and Bibliographic Services

(k) Bindery Services

(l) Reprographic Services

Statement of Problem

Investigation by this study reveals the following challenges of the library as compendium of knowledge to human development;

1. Potential - we are failing our moral obligation and economic necessity to provide for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
2. The system of cradle-to-career development of human potential is ragged, fragmented, and ineffective.
3. Getting People Motivated − Overpowering organizational culture challenges and developing a culture that embraces learning, sharing, changing, improving can't be done with technology.

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1.3 Aim and Purpose of the Study

The aim and purpose of the study is to eradicate the existing problem of the library as compendium of knowledge to human development with the aid of the objectives below.

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1.4 Objective of the Study

The following are the objective of needed to accomplish the library as compendium of knowledge to human development;

1. To provide moral obligation and economic necessity to provide for life.
2. To enable the development of human potential effective.
3. Ease of motivating people to embraces learning, sharing, and changes with technology such as; the E-library system e.g Google.
4. To create an enabling environment for people to enjoy long, healthy and creative lives.

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1.5 Research Questions

• Is the library as a compendium to knowledge adaptive with the changing technology?
• How is the quality of services provided by these libraries?
• Is the change smooth or uneven (continuous versus discontinuous)?
• Is this pattern of change the same for everyone, or are there different patterns of change (one course of development versus many courses)?
• How do genetics and environment interact to influence development (nature versus nurture)?
• How is your library as compendium to knowledge?

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1.6 Significance of the Study

The study of the library as compendium to knowledge to human development makes it easier to spot possible signs of trouble. From problems with cognitive, social, or emotional development in early childhood to struggles later in life, being able to identify potential problems is important.

The human development is crucial in giving people more freedom and opportunities to live lives they value. Many other aspects are important too, especially in helping to create the right conditions for human development, such as environmental sustainability or equality between men and women.

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1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study

Scope

The scope and literature of the Study will enable users to know the process of collecting information towards the human development with the aid public / private libraries in Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Nigeria. This mostly designed to highlight the sources of collecting data from public libraries towards Human development in Ilaro Library board.

Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.

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1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Compendium:a collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject, especially in a book or other publication.

Human: any individual of the genus Homo, especially a member of the species Homo sapiens.

Development: the process of developing or being developed.

Knowledge: facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.

Library: a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use or borrowing by the public or the members of an institution.

Approach: come near or nearer to (someone or something) in distance or time.

Data Collection: It is defined as the procedure of collecting, measuring and analyzing accurate insights for research using standard validated techniques.

Information: It is a result from a processed data

Data: It is a raw fact or figure used to achieve information.

Environment: the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.

Technology:The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.