DONALD E.U. EKONG LIBRARY WEEKLY REPORT 20th – 24th APRIL 2026

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DONALD E.U. EKONG LIBRARY WEEKLY REPORT

20th – 24th APRIL 2026

  1. The University Librarian with other principal officers on Tuesday 22nd – Sunday 26th April, 2026, attended the University of Port Harcourt 17th Governing Council 2026 Retreat captioned “Positioning The University of Port Harcourt for Global Visibility Through Digital Transformation, Entrepreneurship Development, and Strategic Partnerships” held at the Lakowe Golf Resort, Lagos.

 

  1. The University Librarian, Prof. Helen U. Emasealu was away from the University on official assignment from Tuesday 22nd – Friday 24th April, 2026. While she was away, the Head, Acquisition and Strategic Resource Development, Dr. Glory T. Edet, acted in the absence of the University Librarian.

 

  1. The Donald E. U. Ekong Library hosted the University of Port Harcourt Book Club on Thursday, April 23, 2026, in commemoration of World Book and Copyright Day. The event brought together academics, legal experts, students, and creative minds to promote reading culture, intellectual engagement, and copyright awareness within the University community. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill, was represented by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Owunari Udeme Georgewill. The University Librarian, Prof. Helen Emasealu, was represented by the Head of Acquisition and Strategic Resource Development, Dr. Glory T. Edet. Also in attendance were the Patron of the Book Club, Prof. Obari Gomba; Dr. Ifeoma Lynda Agbo, representing the Dean of the Faculty of Law; members of Library Management, staff, students, and members of the Book Club.

 

The programme featured opening remarks and a welcome address, followed by lectures and presentations on copyright and book publishing. In her address, Prof. Helen Emasealu emphasized the significance of books as essential tools for learning, imagination, and growth, and highlighted the role of copyright in protecting intellectual effort and encouraging creativity. A keynote address delivered by Prof. Obari Gomba on “The Literary Journey of a Writer” underscored the importance of continuous reading and personal development for writers. The event also featured a legal presentation by Dr. Ifeoma Lynda Agbo on copyright issues within the Nigerian context, as well as a panel discussion involving Dr. Ezeakolam Ibekwe, Mr. Ene Eric Igbifa, and Mr. Ezeokoli Franklin, who explored themes related to literature and the growth of the creative industry, including social media, publishing, artificial intelligence, and writers’ ethics. Creative activities such as the Storyverse Writing Competition and a book character walk display by members of the Book Club further showcased students’ originality and engagement with literature. The programme reinforced the importance of reading culture, creative expression, and respect for intellectual property within the academic environment.

 

  1. During the week, the Donald E. U. Ekong Library also acquired daily issues of national newspapers to keep staff and students informed on local and global events. Titles received include: The Guardian, Daily Sun, Punch, Vanguard, Telegraph, Business Day, and This Day. These issues were made available at the Reference Unit.

 

  1. The Knowledge Commons (for undergraduate students) and the Research Commons (for postgraduate students) are accessible to students and researchers who wish to utilize the e-resources of the library. Similarly, the Elsevier training laboratory, located on the second floor of the library, offers internet access to all subscribed databases and is accessible to faculty members.

 

  1. The library has acquired MATLAB. MATLAB (MatLab) is a proprietary multi-paradigm programming language and numeric computing environment that includes matrix manipulation and plotting functions, data analysis, algorithm implementation, user interface creation, and interaction with programs written in other languages.

 

  1. The weekly statistics indicated a 55.86% in patronage, with the number of users increasing from 1586 in the previous week to 2472 in the current week.

 

  1. The Library has received updated content in the SpringerLink Database (https://www.springernature.com/gp). This data helps publish robust and insightful research, supports the development of novel areas of knowledge, and makes information accessible globally.

 

  1. The Library is receiving updated content on the JSTOR Database (https://www.jstor.org). This database provides registered researchers with informative materials spanning the sciences, social sciences, arts, education, technology, law, and other research-related disciplines.

 

  1. The library has received updated content on the AGORA database (https://www.fao.org/agora/en/). This database furnishes registered researchers and staff with information materials, journals, audio-visual materials, and other collections centred on agriculture and its related disciplines.

 

  1. The Library has received an update of its Scopus Database with the new content (https://www.scopus.com/home.uri). This database provides registered faculty members and researchers with the most extensive abstracts and cited references database on peer-reviewed literature and information materials across disciplines.

 

Supplementary Information:

The Donald E. U. Ekong Library is a cornerstone of academic life at the University, offering a wide collection of books, non-book materials, and research resources that support learning, teaching, and scholarship. Guided by a team of dedicated professionals committed to efficient and high-quality service, the Library fosters an environment of intellectual growth. It encourages staff and students to make full use of its resources. For assistance and inquiries, users can access the Virtual Librarian Chatbot at http://library.uniport.edu.ng/.

Communication Channels for remote access are as follows:

Phone: +2349138269564
Website: http://library.uniport.edu.ng/
E-mail: library@uniport.edu.ng
Facebook: uniportlibrary
LinkedIn: Uniportlibrary
Twitter: @uniportlibrary
YouTube: Uniportlibrary

Signed:
Prof. Helen U. Emasealu, CLN
University Librarian