From: Okukuwe ibiam
The New Face of UNICAL Library
The University of Calabar definitive library was established in 1975. It was planned and constructed based on the standards and guidelines of the National University Commission (NUC) and has been described as heralding a new era of library architecture not only in Nigeria but in the continent. Stanley Uchegbu, a 400 level of Accounting captures the recent development in the institution.
Since Prof. James Epoke was appointed the Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar, he has not hidden his passion to transform and reposition the institution for it to be ranked among best six in the country. The university has witnessed tremendous growth that the perpetrators and miscreants who wrecked the mayhem on August 26 and 27 will hardly believe the transformation of the institution.
When students returned from their six months break due to the mayhem , the University resumed with almost everything in place: neatly sculptured, well painted high raised structures that serve as academic blocks, halls of residence and office accommodations, well paved roads leading to departments and faculties, pipe borne water, refurbished hostels and classrooms across faculties and departments, procurement of laboratory equipments, replacement of classroom desks, construction of faculty of law library which is opposite Malabo moot court and total renovation of definitive library.
As a visitor makes his way into the securely recessed school environment from the main entrance to the definitive library revealing the academic buildings lined in front and lecture venues at the left, faculties and departments at the right. The hostel closeness to the academic arena is very deliberate because you need not to walk distances to access the lecture rooms.
At the Definitive Library, the giants' strides of the Vice Chancellor are conspicuous. The library aligns itself with the VC's vision for excellence as encapsulated by its strategic location and design. The Library has a seating capacity of 3,000 readers with 1,600 total number of seats, 16 staffs offices, lighting and ventilation, security and fire extinguisher and generating set.
The governance of the library revolves round the current University Librarian, Dr. (Mrs) Margaret Bassey Edem whose predecessors include Mr. Nduntei Ita and Prof. Olu Lawal.
The services rendered by the library are lending, reference, user education current awareness and selective dissemination of information, display of newly acquired materials and information technology services.
A chat with Prof. Lawal revealed that the University of Calabar library is the largest library in Africa.
The building was planned to house over one million volumes of book with a total of 22,746 square meter floor space with seating capacity of 2,046 readers.
This actually doubles the standard set by the National University Commission for such building. It covers both the faculties and department libraries. It worth mentioning that the two Nigerian Universities – the University of Nigeria and the University of Port Harcourt have adopted it plan extensively for their own construction.
Speaking further, he said Total Exploration & Production Company supplied the facilities when university approached the firm for assistance.
This, according to him, led to the establishment of electronic Library also known as E-library.
Prof. Lawal described the E- library as a tremendous achievement for UNICAL library, adding that the library has presently has 75 computers, satellite dish and other vital information technology equipments.
The E- library will soon be commissioned by the Minister of Education, he stated
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