Igbeka and Ola, Part 2
Methodology
The patterns of utilization of some of the materials obtained from records of usage of theses, P.O. and Africana materials from 2004–2008 were studied. The data collected were analyzed by qualitative analysis using frequencies and percentages. From these, some recommendations were made.
The Africana Section of Kenneth Dike Library: Historical Background and Composition
The Africana Section of Kenneth Dike Library is where the bulk of research materials relating to Africa are kept. It is a part of the closed–access section of the Library. The creation of the Africana Section was initiated by Professor John Harris, the founding librarian of the University of Ibadan Library, now the Kenneth Dike Library, and other major contributors and initiators like Henry Carr and the late Herbert Macaulay.
The Africana Collection is made up of publications on Africa by Africans and publications by foreigners about Africa. Special interest is focused towards Nigeria in terms of education, politics, culture, tradition, religion, technology, commerce, history, etc.
In 1950, the University of Ibadan Library became a legal depository institution under the Publications Ordinance, which conferred the status of a National Library on the library. This is in accordance with the Copyright Law mandating all Nigerian authors to deposit at least two copies of their publications with the University of Ibadan library as legal deposit. The Africana Section is comprised of the following:
The Publication Ordinance Monographs (which are textbooks), Publication Ordinance Serials, (which are magazines, journals, newspapers) and ephemeral materials like coronation papers (e.g., Obas’ Coronation, Chieftaincy titles, etc).
Government Documents: These consist of publications by the Government of Nigeria such as gazettes, reports (commissions and panels reports) and publications by governments of other countries and organizations such as the World Health Organization, World Bank, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNICEF, UNDP, etc.
Newspapers: The newspapers are stored in boxes or tied up and arranged chronologically on a monthly basis. They include very old Nigerian newspapers and current ones, namely: West African Pilot, Eastern Nigerian, Guardian, Comet, Daily Star, Daily Poet, Nigerian Observer, Daily Sketch, Nigerian Tribune, etc.
Africana Journals: These include publications of the Historical Society of Nigeria, Geographical Society of Nigeria, and some journals from religious bodies. Most of these are solicited by various departments in the University, e.g. Institute of African Studies, Religious Studies Department, etc.
Theses (PhD): As part of KDL policy, only PhD theses are kept in the Africana Section of the Library. They are housed separately in this section. At the time of this study was carried out, there were 3,192 theses. The PhD theses are usually brought to the library from the Postgraduate School.
Staff Publications are also stored in the Africana section. Examples of these are inaugural, university, postgraduate, and valedictory lectures.
The Africana Monographs (Textbooks): These are books written by Africans or about Africa, and are acquired and kept exclusively in closed access to be consulted only in the library. The policy in KDL is to keep at least one copy of such books in the Africana section while other copies (if applicable) are sent to circulation, faculty and departmental libraries, and other sections of the Library.