The National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi has indicated that the National Library of Nigeria is ready to collaborate with the American Center in various areas of mutual interest in order to improve service delivery to the public. Addressing a team from the American Embassy Abuja, who paid her a courtesy visit at the National Library Corporate Headquarters, Prof. Anunobi emphasized that the American Center has been so wonderful to librarians and users of information in Nigeria. According to her, “The American Center provides librarians opportunities to improve on their skills and competences most especially during conferences, which equips them to better discharge their duties.
Speaking further, the National Librarian/ CEO informed her guests that “the National Library of Nigeria being the knowledge repository of the country, is always willing to explore new avenues that will expand the reach of the services we render to the public.” She therefore advocated for collaboration in the areas of preservation of resources via digitization, stating that NLN has backlogs of information materials in prints which needed to be converted and digitized for easy accessibility. Other areas of collaboration according to her is on capacity development especially on virtual library services.
Earlier in his speech, the Centre Supervisor, Mr. Peter Burba who is also the Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer, said he was delighted to be associated with the National Library of Nigeria reiterating that the American Centeris always willing to collaborate with the National Library of Nigeria for better service delivery. Also speaking, the Center Director, Mr. Aondona Daniel Orlu stated that they had visited to congratulate Professor Anunobi on her appointment as Nigeria’s National Librarian, noting that she has been at the forefront of pushing the profession forward, and no doubt has the capacity to take the NLN to greater heights. He reiterated that the American Center has maintained a cordial relationship with the National Library of Nigeria in the past and would like to build on the existing relationship, as well as look at other areas of expertise and specialization where both organizations could partner. He assured that the American Center has noted the possible areas of collaboration as highlighted by the National Librarian/ CEO. Also among the team was Mrs Margret Ameh.
