Abstract:
Purpose: This paper identifies how to improve global access to local contents by the university
libraries in Nigeria. The local contents are entrusted to the care of the librarians in this digital era to
ensure their generation and better visibility through the internet.
Methodology: The exploratory approach was adopted for the study. Firstly, a conceptual framework
was developed in order to identify local contents, the scope and the imperative of generating and
promoting local contents. The next approach is the identification of the functions of the university
libraries and problems involved in providing and promoting global access to local and indigenous
contents followed by the strategies and major steps in facilitating global access to local and indigenous
contents in Nigeria.
Findings: The strategies for enhancing global access to local contents as revealed by the study
include: digitization, creation of database of Nigerian contents, dissemination of information to people,
etc.
Practical Implications: Access to local contents should be provided in the university repositories
visible to the entire world. Information resources in Nigeria should be revitalized and harnessed by the
use of gatekeepers in the local communities for global competitiveness. There should be affordable and
free access to internet, quality internet access and connectivity, steady power supply, standardization
of applications interface software’s and hardware’s.
Originality: The work identifies the local contents in Nigeria, the imperative of generating, promoting
and disseminating them globally by university libraries in Nigeria. This can enhance wealth creation
and development.
Key words: Local Contents, Nigerian Indigenous Knowledge, Global Access to Indigenous Contents,
Information services, National Bibliography of Nigeria and University libraries.
