Over 1m ISSN issued in 50 years — Chief librarian

National Library of Nigeria

The Chief Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Veronica Anunobi, has revealed that the institution has issued over one million International Standard Book Numbers since its inception in 1974.

Anunobi also stressed that the library will continue to foster access for stakeholders in the world of knowledge production.

Speaking in Abuja on Sunday ahead of the library’s 60th anniversary, Anunobi, a professor of Library and Information Science, stated that the NLN is embracing the future with enthusiasm while remaining mindful of Nigeria’s significant youth population.

“Since 1974, we have issued 1,000,574 International Standard Book Numbers, as well as 27,755 International Standard Serial Numbers since its inception in 1976. A significant push was made this year to fulfil our responsibility in issuing International Standard Music Numbers, and we successfully issued several numbers for published music scores,” she said.

Discussing the library’s future, Anunobi highlighted the NLN’s commitment to redefining its role as a custodian of Nigeria’s intellectual and cultural heritage. She noted that the institution aims to enhance access, promote utilisation, and collaborate with stakeholders in the knowledge production, packaging, and usage ecosystem to drive national development.

“We look to the future with great enthusiasm, mindful of the nation’s youthful population, rising unemployment, and the need to leverage our mandate as a foundation for supporting the country’s economic development.

“While celebrating our milestones, we remain focused on the future. As part of this celebration, we will unveil our new brand identity, including the new logo of the National Library, which symbolises both our present and future.

“Our direction for the next five years, outlined in the 2025-2030 strategic plan, will also be unveiled. The new logo and strategic document will explain the theme of our celebration: ‘The Future of Libraries in a Digital Age: Preserving Heritage, Expanding Access, and Engaging Youth.’

“This theme signals that the NLN must design educational, research, and cultural development programmes that will not only attract youths but also transform them into invaluable assets for the nation.

“Furthermore, we will ensure active participation in global information concerns, including Open Access and Knowledge Sharing, enhancing discoverability and user engagement, building smart library infrastructure, transforming competencies and capacities, and strengthening collaborative networks. All of this will be done with a vision of a sustainable future,” she added.