Digital Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge in Ramat Library, University of Maiduguri; Nigeria
Usman Ibrahim
It is discerned from literature that digitally preserving indigenous knowledge in the context of climate change is particularly important because indigenous communities often possess unique understandings and strategies for managing natural resources and responding to environmental changes. Their knowledge can provide valuable insights into sustainable living and adaptation strategies that are crucial in the face of global climate change. Owing to the risk of losing oral history and indigenous knowledge due to climatic changes and displacements resulting from conflicts in the Northeast of Nigeria, this study set out with the overall aim of creating a condition where indigenous knowledge is digitized and is securely maintained for the present and future generations. This attempt was made through the assessment of organisational capacity of Ramat Library by utilising the Digital Preservation Coalition Rapid Assessment Model (DPC RAM). This research proposes using the six elements of the DPC RAM as a basis for beginning the evaluation and progression towards sustainable digital preservation of indigenous knowledge regarding climate change adaptation. The Ramat Library at the University of Maiduguri was utilized for the practical application. The findings in this paper shows that there are fundamental issues hampering the digital preservation of indigenous knowledge. Some of these issues are policy related, lack of technical literacy by library staff members and poor collaboration between Library and wider community amongst others.
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