HYBRID LIBRARY: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR MEDICAL LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Development of electronic resources in the current age, has led to the incorporation of digital information resources to complement traditional print information resources in many libraries. The paper is a review of the hybrid library system as it relates to medical library services. Electronic information resources that are essentially important to the medical library in the digital age were presented. The paper discussed the opportunities offered by the hybrid library system which can help medical libraries in Nigeria to extend their reach and meet the health information needs of users. Limited funds for resource acquisition for both electronic and print resources were identified as the major challenge encountered by medical libraries in achieving this mission. The paper concludes that medical librarians should continue to refashion their services as funds and resources become available to remain relevant in the global paradigm shift in library and information science.