Be Of High Ethical Standards, NJI Administrator Urges Judiciary Librarians

ABUJA -The Administrator of National Judicial Institute Abuja, Justice Salisu Garba (rtd) has urged judiciary librarians and library officers to always display high ethical standards in the discharge of their official duties.

Justice Garba gave the charge on Monday, at a 3-day biennial hybrid workshop organized by the NJI for judiciary librarians and library officers.

The NJI boss admonished participants at the workshop to strictly comply with the Code of Conduct for court employees.

"As employees of the judiciary, it is expected that you observe high standard of conduct so that the integrity and the independence of the judiciary can be preserved.

"Therefore, you must conduct yourselves at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity, impartiality and independence of the Judiciary" the NJI administrator advised.

He noted that high standards can best be achieved by embracing the culture of continuous learning and updating of skills to ensure a qualitative and effective service delivery.

According to the Justice Garba, who was represented by the Institute's Secretary, Abubakar Mandama, "the library in today's fast paced and evolving world performs vital role in providing access to information and knowledge".

He said, library services are of immense importance to the Judiciary, considering the fact that the judiciary essentially depends on the availability of relevant information in its library to advance the course of justice.

"As such, it is not in doubt that Judicial Librarians and Library Officers play an integral role in ensuring that the administration of justice is efficient and effective and this workshop supports the significance the judiciary places on its library personnel as there will always be need for a continuous capacity building of these category of staff.

The theme of the workshop "Nurturing High Standards for Better Service Delivery" the Administrator said, underpines the need for an improved judicial library services in order to meet the challenges of the ever changing world with a view to be in tune with global best practices.

He posited that the workshop will provide amongst other things, the opportunity for judicial librarians and library officers from different jurisdictions to interact, share ideas, experiences and deliberate on issues that will foster a better library service delivery.

In addition, he said the workshop will enable participants develop and adopt innovative procedures, techniques and strategies that will improve efficiency in service delivery.

Justice Garba urged participants to embrace technology as the world is now a global village and Information Communication Technology (ICT) is the present and-the future in any sphere of life.

"In addition, technology such as Library management expertise is an important tool which will aid Judicial Librarians and Library officers swiftly dispense with their responsibilities, keep track of their documents, inventories, books ahd maintain records of library assets.

"Another very important tool is the Library Management system which is an automated software designed to manage all functions of the library.

"However, it is worthy to note that technology alone cannot replace human expertise and as such Judicial Librarians and Library officers must keep pace with the breakneck speed of 'emerging technologies and adjust to new research needs and information to effectively discharge their duties," the NJI Administrator said.