Library on a flash application (LOAF): Collaboration between ITU and the Library

The American University of Nigeria (AUN) boasts of having the only library with 24-hour internet access, and access to online resources, in north-east Nigeria. However, these facilities have been put under extreme pressure by a large number of community users. To ensure that the quality of services offered to our students is not affected, the instructional technology unit (ITU) and library department collaborated to develop an application known as Library-On-A-Flash (LOAF), a portable web-based application that can be shared via a USB flash drive. LOAF contains about 1,000 open access e-books, links to journal databases and open access resources, and resources produced by two USAID and AUN sponsored projects (TELA and STELLAR). These projects produced learning resources designed by specialists. LOAF has eased the pressure on the library resources and provided the community with verified peer-reviewed resources. The project’s major challenges are the capacity of the application as resources are added, intensive copying and sharing, and copyright issues. The plan to create a website and a mobile application to serve as a host to the resources is one remedy. Similarly, the cost of Internet and static devices are expected to reduce, thereby making the website and mobile application appropriate for easy access and sharing. The features and content of LOAF will be demonstrated to AMICAL members during the conference.