Implementing a National Virtual Library for Higher Institutions in Nigeria

The Virtual Library provides access to tools such as databases, electronic journals, alerting services, online reference tools, and quality-selected web resources that improve the quality of teaching and research. Unfortunately various virtual library initiatives in Nigeria within the past six years have remained a mirage. This desk study examined the national library virtual project initiatives and identifies the challenges of its implementation within the Nigerian context. Misconceptions of what constitute a virtual library, unavailability of the basic information infrastructure, poor policy implementation and lack of web technologies skilled digital/systems librarians have been identified as some of the challenges in the implementation of the national Virtual Library Project. The study also highlights the process of building a virtual library, collection development, acquisition and access of electronic resources in the virtual library, which are the basic skills required for the deployment and sustainability of the national virtual library