LIS320 Resource Sharing And Networking full Course Guide 2026 | NOUN Nigeria

LIS320 COURSE GUIDE

Course Team            

Dr. Rexwhite Tega Enakrire (Course Writer)

• Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa (Content Editor)

• ABU

Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwosu (Copy Editor) – NOUN

National Open University Of Nigeria 

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, in any  form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-978-970-185-8

LIS320 Resource Sharing And Networking full Course Guide 2026

INTRODUCTION  

Welcome to LIS320: Resource Sharing and Networking. This is a two-unit credit course, it is compulsory for all the undergraduate students in the Department of Library and Information Science. The course is designed to assist undergraduate you to discover, understand and apply certain strategies of the use of digital technologies and management principles will enable you to gain insights and improve their understandings of resource sharing and networking application. The concept of ‘resource sharing and networking’ is not a new phenomenon across the globe. It has become a central focus for libraries, such that, the growth, transformation and uniformity of service delivery are affirmed. The reason that necessitates resource sharing in libraries is due to limited financial strength of the libraries, technical know-how of the use of networking tools such as network cable tester, crmping tool, punch down and coaxial compression, inadequate storage devices for materials required in work operations and high cost of material resources. Resource sharing and networking in libraries rely on the support which digital technologies offers in transmitting/transporting the information resources to other libraries. The digital technologies that enable easy transportation and access to resources in other libraries are computers, laptops, digital tablets/telephones, learning management systems among others (Olofsson, Franco & Lindberg, 2020). These make the transmission of resources of information, data and knowledge feasible and also suggest ways on how librarians share their knowledge to manage the library operations. Therefore, when libraries are involved in resource sharing and networking, there is interconnection between library organisations and individuals, irrespective of geographical location. This will help ease the tension that many libraries face in terms of the challenges of having access to the right resources they need to support their job operations and users. This course will equip you in your professionals to possess exceptional skills, for personal development, attitude, knowledge and practices of how best to share information and knowledge resources through different platforms of instant messaging, Facebook and Twitter, emails among others.

COURSE OBJECTIVES  

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

i. Identify the different types of resources in organisations.

ii. Identify the different types of networking techniques.

iii. Discuss the typologies of information resources.

iv. Discuss the typologies of “networking.

v. Understand resource sharing and networking and its implication in the 21^st century libraries and information centres and associated organisations

vi. Discover and know how resource sharing and networking approach, could fulfilment your academic pursuit

vii. Ascertain the effectiveness and efficiency of resources sharing and networking in library and information centres and related organisations

viii. Develop the skills and knowledge required in resource sharing through the use of networking tools among libraries and information centres

ix. Determine the factors associated with resource sharing and networking approaches in libraries and information centres

x. Articulate values of procedural approach that could strengthen resource sharing and networking in libraries and information centres

xi. Develop the principles/framework and practices of practical application of resource sharing and networking in libraries and information centres and associated institutions

WORKING THROUGH THIS COURSE  

In order to complete this course, you are expected to partake in both the theoretical and practical parts of the course. You are required to read the study units very well, listen to all of the videos links provided that indicate what each segment entails, undertake, read and understand all recommended and required text, recommended books and other related materials that would boosts your knowledge and skills in the course unit provided and prepare for your assignment and examination when the comes.

The course is structured, each study unit is classified into the following sub-headings: introduction, intended learning outcomes, main content, summary, conclusion, references and further readings. The introduction part of this module indicate a summary of learning objectives and expectation meant to be covered in the study unit, before it is further broadened or broken down into segment of analysis, detailing highlights enclosed in the study unit. It is expected that, you should read and familiarise themselves with the intended learning outcomes (ILOs) which gives a synopsis of what you are expected to complete at each study unit. This will help you to appraise their learning processes at the end of each unit, to ascertain whether they have accomplished the intended objectives of the study unit. To complete the intended learning outcomes, the content of each segment is presented in modules and units with LIS320: Resource Sharing and Networking.

The videos and links provided in this course unit is to support and strengthen your study of the course LIS 320: Resource Sharing and Networking, such that, you will not have to struggle with areas of the course unit that are not clear to you. Kindly copy and paste the link address as indicated in each study/course unit into a browser and follow the directive as shown on the Youtube. There are portions of the video where you might have to click skip in order to avoid adverts, to get to the main content, please listen attentively as the video plays. There are segments where you will have to read offline, make notes and jot down points that could re-direct you back to what you have already studied and extent covered in the entire course unit. If possible, it would be better you download the videos to view or watch it offline, as that will save you data.

You can also download and print the entire manuscripts for the LIS320 course study for easy readability whenever you want to study. This will give you relaxed mind where you will not have to open your computer all the time. Otherwise, if you are good at reading digitally, save it in your computer or external drive in order not to download always. What is discussed in each unit outlines essential recap of the points that needs to be considered, thus leading as guide to other parts of units in the entire journey of the study. The conclusion takes you to the pinnacle of the study and salient points or lessons that need to be taken into consideration in the unit being discussed.

In each study unit, two key form of assessments are required– the formative and the summative. The formative assessments indicate how you will evaluate their learning processes. These are presented in the form of text questions, discussion forums and self-assessment exercises. The summative assessments are based on your academic performance of as required by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), whether you have met the minimum requirements stipulated on the course being studied. This are summarised in Computer-Based Test (CBT), serving as continuous assessment and final degree examinations for the course being studied. A minimum of three computer-based tests are given to you, with one final examination at the end of each semester. It is mandatory for all students registered for this course to take and pass all computer base tests and the final examination before they could graduate from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

STUDY UNITS

There are 15 study units in this course divided into five modules. The modules and units are presented as follows:

MODULE 1  NETWORK AND RESOURCE SHARING IN THE DIGTIAL TECHNOLOGICAL CONTEXT

Unit 1 – Concept of Network, Basics digital networking, advantages and disadvantages of networks, Peer-to-Peer & client/server LAN, Common Network Types used for Resources Sharing, Objectives, Methods and History of Resource Sharing in Libraries

Unit 2 – Levels, Factors, Tools and Policy of Resource Sharing in Libraries

Unit 3 – Benefits, Barriers and Preparedness of Libraries in  Resource Sharing

MODULE 2  NETWORKING IN LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION CENTRES  

Unit 1 – Concept of Networking and Types of Networking

Unit 2  – Benefits and Barriers of Networking

Unit 3  – Applications of Networking in Libraries

MODULE 3 STRUCTURE OF NETWORK  

Unit 1 – Concept of Social and Information Network

• Overview of network, social network and Information network
• Types of network, e.g. PAN, LAN WAN, MAN

Unit 2 Types of social network in libraries e.g. WWW, blogging,   Facebook, instant messaging, and Twitter etc.

Unit 3  Social Network Analysis, implications and Network    service providers in Libraries

• Social Network Analysis with emphasis on:
  (i) Large scale network data
  (ii) Models for network structure
  (iii) Methods for link analysis

MODULE 4 NETWORK COMMUNITY DETECTION AND VIRUS OUTBREAK IN LIBRARIES

Unit 1 – Overview and techniques of Network Community
Detection

Unit 2 – Overview and causes of Virus Outbreak Detention in
Network

Unit 3 – Strategies to Curb Virus Outbreak Detention in Network

MODULE 5  Diffusion And Information Propagation On The Web

Unit 1  Overview and implications of diffusion and information propagation on the Web

(i) Diffusion of information
(ii) Information propagation
(iii) Web

Unit 2 Application of Social Network Sites for Information Propagation on the Web

(i) Concept of social network sites
(ii) Types of Social Network Sites
(iii) Application of social networks for information propagation on the Web
(iv) Relevance of Social Network Sites for Information Propagation on the Web

Unit 3 Connections with Work in the Social Sciences and Economics

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE  

In order to have a clear understanding of what the course study entails, a presentation schedule is provided. The presentation schedule directs you on essential dates to take note of, especially in the completion of computer-based tests, assignments, participation forum or discussions, if any and every other materials and videos that needs to be examined. Remember that the submission of all your assignments must be timely and appropriate as stated in the course study. Please, there is need to guide against delay or postponement and plagiarisms while attending to your class work/assignment given to you to do. Please bear in mind that, plagiarism is a criminal offence in academics, as such, it should be avoided at all cost because it is amount to weighty or serious punishment.

Note: You will earn 10% score if he/she meets a minimum of 75% participation in the course study, forum discussions and portfolios, or else you will lose the 10% in your total score. You are expected to upload your portfolio through Google Doc. Your expectation in your portfolio consists of the notes or jotting made during their time of study of each of the course unit and modules made available to you. This comprises of all activities and time spent from the beginning to the end of the course of study in the entire duration of this course. 

ASSESSMENT 

Two core forms of assessment are required in this course in order for you to pass. The first assessments consist of Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMAs), which are included in each study unit. You are strongly advice to attend to them without delay, so that they do not pile up, otherwise it could discourage them from advancing to the next stage of another study unit. The TMAs is part of the continuous evaluation module that are marked and recorded on a continuous basis. It amounts to 30% of the total scores from the cumulative. Therefore, you are instructed to be serious with it, because it will assist and support them to pass the course.  The TMAs will be schedule according to the University calendar, you do not need to panic. The second assessment will be the final examination, which will cover everything that was taught in the course LIS 320. You are encouraged and advised to adhere to all slated calendar in the University such that, they do not miss the examination.

FINAL EXAMINATION AND GRADING  

After the completion of this course, you will be required to seat for the examination of the course LIS 320’ Resource sharing and networking’. The duration of the examination will last for 2-hours and the grade point of the course is 70%.  Most of the questions that will be given to you are what they you already have in your self-assessment of the TMAs, as such, they need to familiarise themselves more with continuous practices of the questions and serious reading of their course/study materials. This will enable them have good grades after finishing the course. You are also advised to use your time judiciously so that, you do not miss any of the study unit and assessment. It is expected that, the Tutor-Marked Assignment or activities would enable you to study very well as everything in the course is covered, even before your final examination.  

COURSE MARKING SCHEME 

This table represent the layout of total course mark

 HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM THE COURSE  

In order to get the best from the course, you need an efficient personal laptop and access to the Internet. This will enhance the study, such that, learning becomes stress-free and the course materials can also be accessed without geographical boundaries (wherever and anytime). You will be able to use the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) to guide themselves through self-study approach in this course LIS320. It is expected that, at the close of each unit, you should be able to evaluate yourselves whether you have inculcated the ILOs, such that, the purpose of that unit course is achieved.

This could be strengthened through your thorough hard work of preparedness based on the notes and jotting taken at the discussion forum and personal study time in each unit course. It is expected of you to join the online actual time facilitation planned at schedule. Any time you missed an actual time facilitation planned schedule, without wasting time, you should create time to go over the recorded facilitation session, in order not to lag behind others. The missed time facilitation session of any study unit will be a video recorded, that will be dispatched on the online platform. Apart from the actual time facilitation session, it is expected at all times that, you should watch the video and audio recorded, if any in each unit course. The video/audio helps to review salient points that you could have missed in the online facilitation session in each unit course. You can access the audio or videos by clicking on the links provided in the text of each unit course/study concluded at the end of the course page.

It is expected that, you should work round all self-assessment exercises, such that you leave nothing behind regarding the course content of this study. Lastly, adhere to all instructions given in the class regarding each unit course.

FACILITATION  

Bear in mind that, as a student, you will be given an online facilitation. The online facilitation is an interactive beginner’s centre, where you learn. The style of facilitation can be asynchronous and synchronous. For the asynchronous facilitation, your organiser or facilitator will:

• Present the theme of the study unit to you for the week;
• Lead you through a summary forum discussion on what needs to be covered;
• Manage all the activities in the online platform;
• Score and grade all activities when they are needed;
• Upload your scores into the university recommended platform;
• Support and help you to learn in whatever regards provided the whole course is covered. This might include sending personal mails for communications purposes and following up with extent you are doing in their studies.
• Send videos and audio lectures on WhatsApp, emails, Facebook, LinkedIn, among other social media sites to you, apart from the normal upload on online facilitation platform.

For the synchronous:

• You are expected to speed minimum of eight hours of online actual time contacts in the course contents. This implies watching video conferencing in the Learning Management System. The eight hours consists of one-hour contact for eight times.
• It is expected that, after speeding one-hour each watching the video conferencing, the video will be uploaded for possible viewing at your own time and speed.
• The tutor or facilitator is expected to focus more on key themes that are most important and known to you in the course.
• The facilitator is the person to present the online actual time video facilitation timetable before the start of the course unit.
• It is the responsibility of the facilitator to take you through the course guide at the beginning of the first lecture even before the facilitation begins.

Note: Please do not fail to contact your facilitator; in case of anything you are not clear with. You can do so based on the following:

• When you do not comprehend any part of the study units or the assignments given.
• Have challenges following the self-assessment exercises.
• Have any questions or issues with an assignment or your tutor‘s comments on an assignment that was given.
• Please use the contact provided for technical support as well.

You are expected to read all recommended reading materials, comments and notes provided by their facilitator specifically on those relating to assignments; participation in the forums and discussions. This provides you the privilege to socialise with others in the course of the programme. You are encouraged to discuss any problem encountered during their course study. This would help them improve tremendously and learn better while they prepare for course facilitation. It is also advisable for you to have outlined list of questions before the discussion session, so as to gain more knowledge from other folks and their facilitator. This will make you to learn broadly while partaking actively in the debates forum.

Lastly, facilitator or course lecturer should respond to questionnaire posed. This will help the university to know areas of weakness and how best to advance on them for possible future review of the course materials and lectures.