Abstract

 The study was carried out to determine the discipline-based entrepreneurial opportunities available for library and information science (LIS) students for sustainable development. Descriptive survey research design was adopted in carrying out the study. Four specific objectives guided the study, which are: to determine discipline-based entrepreneurial opportunities available for LIS students; establish key entrepreneurial skills for LIS students; fmd out the extent educational programs and training on entrepreneurship contribute to the professional development and resilience of LIS students; and determine possible challenges that may arise when applying discipline-based entrepreneurship approaches to address the needs ofLIS students for sustainable development. The population ofthis study consists of 164 final year students oflibrary and information science department in University ofNigeria, Nsukka and Michael Okpara University ofAgriculture, Umudike. The instrument for data collection was a structured and a researcher-developed questionnaire. 100 respondents representing 61% response rate were found usable for the study. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, mean and standard deviation. The study revealed that there are several entrepreneurial opportunities like information brokerage, publishing and printing, web designing, indexing and abstracting, and bibliographic compilation, among others. The study also showed key entrepreneurial skills LIS students’ need, which ranges from ability to adapt to changes in technology and information management trends, ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, conveying information clearly, ability to analyze and solve challengesrelated to information organization to many others. It was also discovered that educational programs and training on entrepreneurship contribute to the professional development and resilience of LIS students as it enhances the skill set of LIS students and equipping them with business acumen. Furthermore, the findings found out possible challenges of applying discipline-based entrepreneurship opportunities to include limited entrepreneurialmindset, resource constraints and resistance to change from traditional practices within the LIS field among others. The study therefore recommends among others, that real-world projects and hands-on experiences should be incorporated within discipline-based courses to enhance practical skills and entrepreneurial mindset, while collaboration among different disciplines to encourage a holistic approach, promoting creativity and innovation essential for entrepreneurship, should be upheld.