Crescent University Abeokuta

2023/ 2024 ACADEMIC SESSION

BACOLAW 100 LEVEL

USE OF LAW LIBRARY PROJECT

GROUP 3
LECTURER; MR. YUNUS ISMAIL

GROUP MEMBERS
OGUNDEJI OLAOLUWA EMMANUEL S123501001
ABDULKAREEM KHALIL OMOTOLAGBE S123501058
OYINDASOLA OLUSEGUN MUKTAR S123501067
ODUNSANYA ALIYAH OLUWAKEMI S123501005
TONADE FAVOUR IMOLEOLUWA S123501050
FABUNMI OLOLADE SHERIFAT S123501037
MARUWF ISIAQ ODUNAYO S123501078
DAHUNSI MARIAM S123501064
BELLO ZULTAN S123501025
OLAPADE AISHA ADEDUNMOLA S123501066
ADEMOYE JUWON S123501033
BALOGUN AALIYAT S123501068
TONY VICTORY CHUKWUNONYELUM S123501022
ISIYEMI IFEOLUWA ADETOUN S123501026
PHOS OYEINBRAKABI S123501046

PROJECT TITLE;
A UNIVERSITY LIBRARY DOES NOT EXIST FOR IT’S OWN SAKE BUT TO
SERVE THE USER. DISCUSS THIS STATEMENT IN LINE WITH THE OPEN
ACCESS AND CLOSE ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY DOCUMENTS.

TABLE OF CONTENT;
 PREFACE.
 DEFINITION OF LIBRARY
 IMPORTANCE OF LIBRARY.
 TYPES OF LIBRARY (PROJECT FOCUS IS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY)
 OPEN AND CLOSE ACCESS.
 USING THE ANSWERS SUPPLIED TO OP&CL ACCESS WE ANSWER THE
PROJECT TITLE
 CONCLUSION
PREFACE.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to my
esteemed lecturer, Mr. Yunus Ismail, for his unwavering dedication, extensive
knowledge, and passion for the subject matter have been instrumental in shaping our
understanding and approach to this project. His guidance and insightful feedback have
truly been invaluable throughout this journey. We are grateful for his patience,
encouragement, and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our success. We are
truly fortunate to have had the privilege of learning from such an exceptional mentor.
Thank you, Mr. Yunus Ismail, for your remarkable support and for inspiring us to
reach new heights in our academic pursuits."

DEFINITION OF LIBRARY
To start with library was coined from the latin word ‘liber’ meaning book It is
generally seen as the storehouse of information. It can be seen as a place or building or
an online space filled with educational materials where one goes, in search for
knowledge or research purpose.
Generally library is a social institution that carefully select ,acquire, process ,store and
organize information resources for the retrieval and utilization of her user community
hereby disseminating knowledge.

IMPORTANCE OF LIBRARY
Fully knowing the definition of library we proceed to its importance, from the
definition it can be deduced that the library has to do mainly with the dissemination of
knowledge but it’s importance are not limited to that. The following may also be seen
as the importance of libraries.
1. Custodian of knowledge: The main and sole purpose of establishing the library is
for the preservation of human knowledge. As said earlier in the definition the
library is a storehouse of information so one of its main purpose is to preserve
human knowledge.
2. Educational agency: As the library is a custodian of knowledge it has helped
immensely in the growth of education starting from the primary level to institutions.
The library has served as great educational agency by providing information
needed by both lecturers and students in their field of study.
3. Recreational need: library in her efforts to promote reading habit and for better
dissemination of knowledge , she has provided books that are not academically
related and other recreational materials that are used to ease the mind for better
digestion.
4. Research services: library as a social institution is not only open for educational
purposes but also for research purposes. The library is often the first point of
contact for a researcher because its holds different information varying from
education to other things.
5. It caters for information acquisition: The library is the central hub for providing
information for all. Libraries house information in different format by acquiring
materials in different form.
TYPES OF LIBRARY
There are different types of library for different purposes the following are the types of
library.
 National library
 Public library
 Academic library which is further classified into two
 University library (project focus)
 College library
 Special library
 Private library
 School library
 Children library

WHAT IS OPEN AND CLOSE ACCESS TO UNIVERSITY LIBRARY?

University libraries are designed to support and enhance the educational and research
activities of students, faculty, and the broader academic community. When it comes to
access to library documents, there are two main models: Open access and Close access.
OPEN ACCESS:
The concept of open access is based on the idea that research should be freely available
to everyone, without any restrictions or barriers. Open access publishing models allow
for free and unrestricted access to research articles, which can be beneficial for
researchers, students, and the general public. It can also help to increase the visibility
and impact of research, as well as promote collaboration and innovation and this
ensures that everyone has equal opportunities to benefit from the library's services and
materials. it encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and academic growth within
the university community.
Open access can be more than making research available to read, but also allowing
others to re-use that research. For example, allowing the content to be analyzed using
text mining or reused for commercial purpose.

Here are some key points about open access:

 Open Access materials are freely available on the Internet and openly accessible to
everyone.
 Users can read, download, adapt, copy, and print material freely.
 Open Access articles are more likely to be used and cited.
 Open Access has now been made obligatory by foreign funders.
 The cost of publication in open access journals are commonly more expensive than
closed access journals
FEATURES OF OPEN ACCESS.
1. Free and unrestricted access to scholarly research and publications.
2. Promotion of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
3. Use of Creative Commons licenses to protect authors' rights while allowing usage
and further corrections on their work.
4. Increased visibility and reach for researchers and their work.
5. Facilitation of interdisciplinary research and the exploration of diverse perspectives.

IMPORTANCE OF OPEN ACCESS

1. Open access promotes the free flow of knowledge and information.
2. It allows researchers, students, and the public to access scholarly research without
barriers.
3. Open access democratizes knowledge and breaks down paywalls and restrictions.
4. It fosters global collaboration and encourages interdisciplinary research.
5. Open access drives innovation and the advancement of society as a whole.

CLOSED ACCESS:
Closed access, on the other hand, refers to the traditional model where access to
academic materials is restricted, often through subscription fees or paywalls. they have
limitations on who can access them. This could be due to copyright restrictions, the
need for specialized permission or licenses, or concerns about protecting sensitive or
confidential information. While this may limit accessibility, it can also help sustain the
financial viability of the library and support the acquisition of high-quality materials.

Here are some key points about closed access:

 Articles in closed-access journals are initially only visible to people at institutions
which have a license for these specific journals.
 This model often requires readers to pay a subscription fee to access research
materials.

FEATURES OF CLOSED ACCESS

1. Limited availability: Closed access materials are not freely available to the public
and may require certain permissions, subscriptions, or memberships to access.
2. Controlled distribution: Closed access allows for controlled distribution of
resources, ensuring that they are only accessible to specific individuals or
institutions.
3. Protection of intellectual property: Closed access can help protect intellectual
property rights by limiting unauthorized use or distribution of copyrighted
materials.
4. Restricted sharing: Closed access limits the sharing of information to a select group,
preventing widespread dissemination.
5. Monetization: Closed access models often involve charging fees or subscriptions,
allowing content creators or publishers to generate revenue from their resources.
IMPORTANCE OF CLOSED ACCESS
1. Protection of intellectual property: Closed access allows content creators to
safeguard their work and control its distribution, ensuring that they can benefit
from their intellectual property rights.
2. Financial sustainability: Closed access models often involve charging fees or
subscriptions, which can provide financial support to content creators, publishers,
and organizations. This helps sustain the creation and dissemination of valuable
resources.
3. Protection of sensitive information: Closed access allows for the control and
safeguarding of confidential or sensitive data, such as personal information, trade
secrets, or classified materials

Basically both open and closed access models serve the user in different ways. Open
access aligns with the idea of a library as a public good, providing free access to
knowledge. Closed access, while more restrictive, can provide a source of revenue for
libraries and publishers. The choice between open and closed access often depends on
a variety of factors, including the nature of the material, the intended audience, and the
financial model of the institution. Ultimately, the goal is to serve the user in the most
effective way possible. the purpose of a university library is to serve the needs of its
users, and this includes providing access to research materials through both open and
close access models

A UNIVERSITY LIBRARY DOES NOT EXIST FOR IT’S OWN SAKE BUT
TO SERVE THE USER. DISCUSS THIS STATEMENT IN LINE WITH THE
OPEN ACCESS AND CLOSE ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY DOCUMENTS

You're absolutely right! A university library exists primarily to serve its users, which
are the students, faculty, and staff of the university. When we say a university library
exists to serve the user, it means that its main purpose is to provide resources and
support for the people using it. This includes students, faculty, and researchers who
rely on the library for access to books, journals, research materials, and other academic
resources. The library's purpose is to provide access to a wide range of resources, such
as books, journals, databases, and other materials, to support teaching, learning, and
research.

On the other hand, there may be instances where it is necessary to restrict access to the
library. This could be due to maintenance, security concerns, or specific policies and
regulations. While close access may limit immediate physical access to the library, it is
important to note that libraries often have alternative means of providing resources,
such as online databases and digital collections, to ensure continued access to
information.
Ultimately, the goal of both open and close access policies is to best serve the needs of
library users while balancing factors such as security, maintenance, and resource
management. The library's mission is to support the academic pursuits of its users and
provide them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed in their studies and
research.

A university library is not an end in itself, but a means to an end. It exists to serve the
needs of its users, which include students, faculty, researchers, and the wider
community. The library provides access to a wide range of resources, including books,
journals, databases, and other materials, to support research, teaching, and learning.
The statement that a university library exists to serve the user aligns with the principles
of both open access and closed access to library documents. Each approach has its own
advantages and challenges, and they serve different purposes in the academic
community.

In balancing open and closed access, a university library must navigate the tension
between providing widespread access and ensuring the sustainability of its resources.
Ultimately, the library's commitment to serving its users remains paramount, and the
choice between open and closed access should be made with their diverse needs in
mind. It's like a balance between sharing information and safeguarding certain
resources.

In conclusion, a university library's purpose is to serve the user by providing access to

a wide range of resources. Open access and close access are two approaches that
libraries consider in order to meet the information needs of their users while also
respecting copyright and ensuring the security and privacy of certain materials.

The statement "A university library does not exist for its own sake but to serve the
user" underscores the primary purpose of a university library, which is to provide
resources and services that support the academic and research needs of its users,
primarily students and faculty.

Open access and close access are two contrasting approaches to managing library
documents, as in both open and close access scenarios, the fundamental goal remains
serving the users' information needs. Libraries must adapt their strategies to provide
accessible, relevant, and reliable resources while navigating the complexities of
document accessibility and copyright restrictions to fulfill their primary mission. By
adopting open access policies, university libraries can align with the goal of serving the
user, as they provide broader access to knowledge and promote the sharing of
information within the academic community and beyond.
While close access models may restrict accessibility to some extent, they still serve the
user by providing access to a wide range of specialized and in-depth resources that are
crucial for academic research and study. Additionally, close access models often
involve inter-library loan services, which enable users to request materials from other
libraries if they are not available locally.

In recent years, there has been a growing push for open access within the academic
community, driven by the belief that research outputs should be freely available to all.
This movement recognizes the potential of technology to facilitate the dissemination of
knowledge and increase access to information. Many universities and funding bodies
have implemented open access policies, mandating that research funded by public
grants be made openly accessible. These policies contribute to the overarching goal of
serving the user by ensuring that research outputs are widely available and can be
utilized by researchers, students, and the public.

In summary, the statement that a university library exists to serve the user reflects the
core purpose of these institutions. The open access movement, in particular, aligns
with the goal of broadening access to knowledge and facilitating collaboration, thereby
enhancing the overall value and impact of the university library.In this context, the
library serves as a gateway to knowledge and a hub for learning and research.

CONCLUSION
The primary goal of a university library is to serve its users by providing access to
information and resources that support their academic and research needs. Open access
is a way of promoting equitable access to information and encouraging innovation,
while close access has been criticized for limiting access to information. Universities
can adopt open access policies and promote open access repositories and self-archiving
to support the goal of serving their users.

CREDITS AND REFERENCES:

 Ref: Mr Yunus Ismail (2023) in his note for 100 level BACOLAW students
2023/2024 academic session
 Ref: Online dictionary of library and information science (LIS)(ODLIS)
 Ref: Definition of Open and Closed access (2023) retrieved from
www.wikipedia.com
 Ref: Snapchat AI (2023)