Local History and Community Ties: Insights into Library Co-operation and Solidarity with Nyong Essien Special Collections in University of Uyo Library, Nigeria

Abstract

Libraries in academic institutions organise their collections essentially to cater for the information needs of immediate community. Interesting to note is the fact that such institutions also make provision for availability of ‘non-regular’ collections among their holdings for diverse usage. This paper intends to portray the uniqueness of typical rare book collections of Nyong Essien which by historical antecedent, formed the nucleus of the initial information resource in the metamorphosed University of Uyo (UNIUYO) library. Taking for granted that a people with local and communal interest can possibly find common ground through records of significant past, this unique collection of UNIUYO library connects its wide range of internal and external users with indigenous information spanning decades. The free-based services relatively forestall the library’s community service goal and cooperation though aspects of the services rendered have nonetheless been challenged. This paper also relays promotional efforts to heighten collection awareness for potential user-community, and recommends indigenous knowledge centre to furthermore advance the course of this special library.