International Journal of Academic Research in Education and Review

Vol. 11(5), pp. 121-127, October 2023

ISSN: 2360-7866

https://doi.org/10.14662/ijarer2023260

 

Full Length Research

 

 

Institutional Repositories: Digital Resource Hubs for Research in Nigerian Polytechnics in the 21st Century.

 

Kelly Odaro-Ekhaguebor1, Lucky Osaguona2 and Johnson Aleogho Nasamu3

 

1Department of Mass Communiation, School of ICT, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Nigeria. 2Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria. E-mail: luckyosaretin@yahoo.com 3Department of Mass Communication, School of ICT, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Nigeria. E-mail: johnsonnasamu@gmail.com

*Corresponding author’s E-mail: kelevision2015@gmail.com  

Accepted 27 October 2023

Abstract

Abstract: The study examined Institutional Repositories: digital resource hubs for research in Nigerian Polytechnics in the 21st century. Polytechnic libraries like other academic libraries are often considered the most important resource centre of institution of higher learning. Institutional repositories collect and preserve the scholarly output such as thesis, dissertations, seminar papers, conference proceedings, working papers, technical reports, and other documents of an academic institution in a digital format. The study pointed out that some universities in Nigeria have since established institutional repository and that the same cannot be said of majorities of Nigerian polytechnics. The libraries and librarians have a crucial role to play in the establishment of institutional repository. This study highlighted that polytechnics will benefits massively from the establishment of institutional repository because IR will increase the visibility and web rating of the polytechnics globally. However, challenges such as polytechnics management lack of willingness, lack of funds, copyright issues, computer anxiety, lack of awareness and advocacy among others are hampering the establishment of institutional repository in polytechnics in Nigeria. The study concluded that the polytechnics management should create or provide enabling environment such as funding, advocacy, willingness, provision of ICT infrastructure among others for the establishment of institutional repository. Polytechnics should emulate their universities counterparts by investing massively on the establishment of institutional repository in order to increase their visibility and remain relevant as research institutions in this digital age.

 

Key Words: institutional, repositories, digital, resources, scholarship, polytechnics, Nigeria

Paper type: research