1.5 million ISBN issued to publishers in 50 years – NLN
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The National Library of Nigeria (NLN) has so far issued 1,000,574 International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) since 1974 to publishers as well as 27,755 International Serials Number (ISSN) since its inception in 1976.
National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of NLN, Professor Chinwe Anunobi, made this known during the weekend while briefing newsmen on activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the National Library of Nigeria.
Anunobi said over the past six decades, NLN institution has evolved in her foundational vision as a dynamic repository of Nigeria’s knowledge and cultural heritage, offering a sturdy backbone for education, literacy, research, and intellectual heritage preservation.
According to her, NLN is primarily established as the Nations memory with the responsibility of collecting all intellectual resources published and unpublished in Nigeria, by Nigerians about Nigeria and preserve them for posterity.
She disclosed that NLN has preserved over 5 million titles in over 13 million volumes of resources stored in various locations all over the country inclusive of 2.5million titles and 7.5million volumes resources of Nigerian origin.
“As a bibliographic Centre, these resources are listed in the National Bibliography of Nigeria (NBN) aimed at ensuring Universal Bibliographic Control (UBC) and Universal Availability of Publications (UAP).
“From the first NBN produced, NLN has consistently produced over 20 editions which serves as both reference material and cataloging tools for Nigerian resources nationally and internationally.
“Serving as the Centre for International Standards, NLN has supported stakeholders in the research/publishing ecosystem through the issuance of standard numbers.
“Since 1974 we have issued 1,000,574 International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) as well as 27,755 International Serials Number (ISSN) since its inception in 1976.
“Greater push was made this year to actualize our responsibility in the issuance of International Standard Music Number (ISMN), and we were able to issue some numbers for published music scores,” she stated.
Anunobi said there was prayer on Friday at the mosque as well as on Sunday at National Christian Centre while there would be a walk on Monday to the promised land- the uncompleted NLN headquarters building.
She added that on Tuesday would be engagement with the Youths on Literature for life and the grand finale on Wednesday where the new logo, the 2025-2030 strategic plan, Index and Abstract of newspaper articles of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 1 year in office and many more would be unveiled.
“NLN remains on track while providing services expected of the national library of the highest standing and standing tall among her peers.
“However, changes in the information production, processing, access and retrieval landscape demands transformation in her operational and service trajectory.
“Consequently, the 2020-2024 strategic plan was enunciated to renew and refresh her approach to the actualization of her mandate which is summarized in her vision – Connect and Build Informed Citizenry expected to be actualized through her mission- To collect, preserve and provide easy access to resources leveraging ICT,” she said.
