If you are a University of Lagos (UNILAG) student concluding your 6-month Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) at the Main Library in Akoka, you are likely facing the dreaded “Logbook Rush.” You have weeks of empty pages, a demanding supervisor at the Circulation Desk, and a deadline looming from the CITS or your Faculty Coordinator.
Here is the reality: Your SIWES report is not just a requirement for graduation; it is a legal document that affects your GPA and, surprisingly, your future applications for Master’s programs abroad. Admissions committees in the UK and Canada look for “research assistance” and “data handling” experience—both of which you can legitimately claim from a Library Systems placement if you frame it correctly.
This guide provides a daily logbook template specifically for the Library Systems Unit, ensuring you pass your defense and have a verified “Data Management” entry for your CV.
The Data: Library SIWES vs. The World
Before filling your logbook, understand the value of what you did. You weren’t just “arranging books”; you were managing an Information Retrieval System. This distinction is crucial for your report’s “Skills Acquired” section.
| Feature | Local Reality (UNILAG Context) | International CV/SOP Framing |
| Software Used | Koha ILS (Open Source System) | “Proficiency in Integrated Library Systems (ILS) and Database Management.” |
| Core Task | Shelving books by Library of Congress (LC) numbers. | “Information Architecture & Physical Asset Classification.” |
| Administrative | Checking students in/out at the gate. | “User Access Control & Traffic Monitoring.” |
| Duration | 24 Weeks (6 Months) | “6-Month Full-Time Internship in Information Systems.” |
Step-by-Step: The Daily Logbook Template
Do not copy this word-for-word. Use this as a skeleton to trigger your memory of specific events at the Akoka campus.
Week 1-4: Orientation & The Circulation Unit
Goal: Understanding the flow of information.
- Monday: Introduction to the Koha Integrated Library System (ILS). Created login credentials for the backend staff portal. Observed the “Check-in” and “Check-out” modules.
- Tuesday: Manual shelving of returned books in the “Social Sciences” section (Class H). Learned to identify call numbers using the Library of Congress Classification Scheme.
- Wednesday: Registration of new users (Year 1 students). Verified “Dockets” and payment receipts from the UNILAG student portal.
- Thursday: Handling “Overdue Fines” calculations. Explanation of the N50/day penalty policy for defaulters.
- Friday: Weekly cleaning of shelves and shelf-reading (ensuring books are in strict alphanumeric order).
Week 5-12: The Technical Services (Cataloging)
Goal: Data Entry and Classification (This is your “High Value” section).
- Monday: Received new book consignments. Stamped books with the official “University of Lagos Library” ownership stamp on the title page and page 15 (secret page).
- Tuesday: Data entry of book details (Title, Author, ISBN) into the Koha cataloging module.
- Wednesday: Assigned Call Numbers using the LC Schedule. Differentiated between Class Q (Science) and Class T (Technology).
- Thursday: Pasting spine labels and covering books with transparent jackets.
- Friday: Introduction to the OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog). Tested search queries to ensure newly cataloged books appear for students.
Week 13-20: Serials & E-Library
Goal: Digitization and Research Support.
- Monday: Sorting daily Nigerian newspapers (The Punch, The Guardian, Vanguard) for the Serials Section.
- Tuesday: Indexing journal articles. Recording “Volume” and “Issue” numbers in the Kardex system.
- Wednesday: E-Library Unit: Assisted students with accessing subscribed databases (e.g., JSTOR, EBSCOhost) via the campus Wi-Fi.
- Thursday: Troubleshooting network downtime. Manually recording user statistics when the server was down (a common occurrence).
- Friday: Digitization project: Scanning abstracts of past UNILAG theses for the Institutional Repository.
Local Context: The “Akoka” Factor
Your defense panel will know if you faked your report because they know the specific problems at the Main Library. Include these gritty details to prove authenticity:
- The “System Down” Reality: You must mention days when the Koha server was inaccessible due to network issues or power outages. Mentioning how you switched to manual recording during these times shows adaptability.
- The Bag Drop Policy: Mention the strict rule prohibiting bags in the reading halls and your role in enforcing it at the Cloakroom.
- Exam Period Rush: Describe the chaos during the GST exams or final weeks, where library usage spikes. This counts as “working under pressure.”
The Verdict: Is This SIWES Experience Worth It?
Yes, but only if you sell the “Data” angle.
- Pros: You gain verifiable experience with Koha, which is used globally. If you are applying for a Master’s in Information Science, Data Analytics, or even Business Analysis in the UK, this is a “Tier 1” internship experience.
- Cons: The work can be repetitive (shelving is physically draining).
- Final Call: Do not describe yourself as a “Library Assistant.” Describe yourself as a “Junior Information Systems Intern.” The difference in salary potential is massive.
Warning: The “Logbook Syndicate” Scam
There is a prevalent scam targeting desperate students near the Faculty of Education and the main gate.
- The Scam: “Agents” claiming they can backdate and sign your logbook for N5,000 – N10,000 without you doing the work.
- The Risk: The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) audit team randomly visits. If your Form 8 is signed by a fake supervisor or the dates conflict with the library’s official roster, you will face a Student Disciplinary Board (SDB) panel.
- The Red Flag: Any agent asking for your bank account details “to help you process the ITF N15,000 allowance” is a scammer. The allowance is paid directly by the Federal Government to your account after verification; no middleman is required.
