Bridging Knowledge Gaps through Embedded Librarianship Practices in Nigerian Universities

Abstract

This study investigates the role of embedded librarianship in the production and diffusion of knowledge in Nigerian universities. A quantitative approach was adopted using a cross-sectional survey design with a sample of 187 library staff drawn from a population of 370 library staff from three university libraries. The findings reveal that the types of embedded librarianship practices adopted in the universities include faculty embedded librarianship, research and bibliographic services embedded librarianship, and information literacy embedded librarianship. Knowledge production and dissemination were enhanced by the practice of embedded librarianship through fostering collaboration between embedded faculties and the library, improving students’ research and information searching skills, and participating in teaching information literacy skills. The findings also revealed that phones, emails, web forums/blogs/wikis, instant messaging services, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), social networking sites and face-to-face discussions were the means of communication and interaction between the embedded librarians and their clients in the three universities. The implications of this study will serve as a springboard for adopting and strengthening the practice of embedded librarianship among Nigerian academic libraries since the concept is new and emerging globally, thereby bridging the knowledge gaps that exist between the haves and have nots in terms of knowledge in the Nigerian higher education sub-sector.