Centre for Educational Media Resource Studies

The Centre for Educational Media Resource Studies (Former Abadina Media Resource Centre) was established by the Department of Library, Archival and Information Studies (former Department of Library Studies) in October, 1974 as a research and public service unit for schools and children’s libraries. The objectives of the Centre at foundation were: To a. present a model school library for Nigerian schools; b. provide facilities for the training of teacher-librarians for Nigerian Schools; c. provide facilities for conducting research into children’s literature and school library problems; d. provide library facilities for Abadina Schools, University Staff School and other school children in Ibadan. e. provide facilities for training school library personnel on induction course f. promote the writing of books and the development of learning materials for Nigerian schools The Centre opened its services to users-school children, teachers and adults working with children in January 1975. The services provided by the Centre from inception include: readers’ services, training of school library personnel, developing indigenous authors for children’s books, conducting research into school library needs and assisting government and schools to set up model school libraries among others. In May 1985, the University Senate established a Board for the Centre to ensure its adequate supervision and proper reporting of its activities to Senate. The Board inaugurated in June 1986, approved the constitution for the Centre which contains the revised objectives and functions of the Centre. Growth and Development: Following the approval of the Senate of the University of Ibadan in 1985, the Centre became an autonomous Centre within the Faculty of Education functioning as a teaching, research and public service centre for schools and children’s libraries. Academic programmes at Master’s and Doctoral levels have been put in place to train qualified personnel to organise effective school library media programmes. Admission to the higher degree programmes started in 2006 and since 2014 have been graduating students at the Ph.D level. The academic programmes include: Master in Media Resource Management (MMRM), (Professional) Master in Social Media (MSM) (Academic), M.Phil and Ph.D in School Media. In addition, seminars, conferences and workshops are organised for schools librarians and school media specialists to share knowledge and impart skills that will prepare them for career challenge. The Centre also organises programme to mark international events on Reading, Books, School Libraries and Literacy.