LIBRARIAN

Mr. Joseph Chike Anafulu, FNLA,mni,CLN

Mr. Joseph Chike Anafulu, FNLA,mni,CLN was the founding University Librarian of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, (FUTO) where he stepped down as required by Law, after serving his tenures from 1981-1997. He was the founding Managing Director of FUTO Bookshops Limited from 1997-2002. The Bookshop  turned out to become a revenue earning venture for the University. Having served in this capacity, Mr. Anafulu retired voluntarily from FUTO on September 3, 2002.

He joined the Imo State University at the invitation of the Vice-Chancellor on December 2, 2002, and was credited with turning the Library around from a “disaster area” to a “comfort zone” for staff and students. Mr. Anafulu attracted donation of a VSAT and ten computers from Open Society Initiative to the University in October 2004.

On April 4, 2005, he was invited by the Vice-Chancellor of the then ASUTHEC to take up the position of University Librarian in an acting capacity on a three years contract, which expired on March 31, 2008. While at the Anambra State University, he contributed towards developing the University by lending his experience and extensive networks within regulatory agencies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Council of Legal Education. In particular, these networks served the University during accreditation exercise. He initiated the establishment of e-libraries at Uli Main Library and the Law Library at Igbariam. At the expiration of his contract, the Anambra State University re-engaged him as a Deputy University Librarian to head the growth of the libraries at Igbariam campus.

He also extended his services to the Tansian University where he served as the University Librarian. His impact at Tansian University includes helping to establish management structures University-wide and priming the library for accreditation in less than six months. He established an e-library in the University.

Mr. Anafulu came into  library practice in 1964 when he joined the staff of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria as an Assistant Librarian. In 1965, he became a Sub-Librarian in the same University. He joined the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1966 as a Sub-Librarian and grew to the rank of Deputy University Librarian in 1979. He also joined the Institute of Management Technology, (IMT) Enugu where he occupied the position of Chief Librarian until 1981 when he joined the Federal University of Technology, Owerri as the founding University Librarian.

He assumed duties as the Visiting University Librarian of VERITAS UNIVERSITY, ABUJA on March 7, 2011.

Mr. Anafulu is a Fellow of the Nigeria Library Association, member of the National Institute. He earned his Diploma in Library Science from the University of Ibadan and Masters in Library Science from Pittsburgh.