Teaching Digital Preservation and Curation in Library and Information Science Schools: The State of the Art in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper discusses the importance of teaching digital preservation and curation in Library and Information Science (LIS) schools in Nigeria. Digital preservation and curation are essential skills that involve managing and maintaining digital content to ensure its longevity and accessibility. LIS schools play a vital role in educating professionals who can manage and preserve digital collections. The significance of teaching digital preservation and curation in LIS schools in Nigeria includes preserving cultural heritage, making information accessible, promoting research, and ensuring the authenticity of digital content. Additionally, the paper highlights the job opportunities that teaching these skills can create for students as well as identifies LIS schools teaching it already. The synergy between LIS schools and libraries, archives and museums (LAMs) in this teaching is explored using the Department of Library, Archival and Information Studies (LARIS) and the Kenneth Dike Library (KDL), University of Ibadan, Nigeria as case in point. It is concluded that teaching digital preservation and curation in LIS schools is essential to prepare professionals who will manage and preserve digital collections effectively.

Keywords: Digital Preservation, Digital Curation, LIS Education, Library management, Information access, Nigeria