| Peer-Reviewed

Effective Information Services Delivery in Nigerian Public Libraries: Panacea for Rural Development

Received: 31 July 2020    Accepted: 2 December 2020    Published: 15 January 2021
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

As day go by, the demands on libraries keep increasing. Such also, are the expectations on public libraries in Nigeria. Today, the importance of public libraries in the worldview cannot be overemphasized as a result of the different services offered and roles played towards growth and development of the society. Regrettably, a close look at most public libraries, especially in the rural communities of Nigeria makes one to wonder what good these libraries can offer to the nation at large and the rural communities in particular. This scenario therefore, calls for urgent attention in the area of repositioning these public libraries for effective information services delivery. However, the avenue through which this effective information services delivery in Nigerian public libraries can be achieved may be through the provision of diversified information resources (both print and non-print) and further inclusion of community library services, not necessarily delivered within the walls of the library but outside. This is the thrust of this paper as it critically looked into ways of ensuring effective information services delivery in Nigerian public libraries for rural development. In handling this, the paper critically examined the historical overview of public libraries, the Nigerian public library systems in perspective, and the Nigerian public libraries and the rural community. However, before delving into the issue of repositioning public libraries for rural development, the authors tried to look at the challenges facing Nigerian public libraries in information services delivery. It was further concluded that the Nigerian public libraries can do better and live up to expectation if there is government intervention in the area of establishing public libraries across the nation, especially in Nigerian rural communities, among other recommendations.

Published in Social Sciences (Volume 10, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ss.20211001.11
Page(s) 1-6
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Effective, Public Libraries, Information Services, Delivery, Rural Development

References
[1] Aina, L. O. 2004. Library and Information Science Text for Africa. Ibadan: Third World Information Services Limited.
[2] Anyalebechi, L. I. and Udo-Anyanwu, A. J. 2016. Public Library Services and the Attainment of the Social Well-being of Users in Enugu State. Journal of Policy and Development Studies, 10 (1): 37-47.
[3] Olowu, K. 2004. Access to Information: Myths and Reality. Nigerian Libraries, 38 (1): 48-55.
[4] Edom, B. 2012. Principles of the Use of the Library. Owerri: Springfield Publishers Ltd.
[5] Issa, A. O. 2006. Information Dissemination to Rural Areas in Kwara State. Unpublished MLS Thesis. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
[6] Ogbonyomi, A. N. 2007. The Role of Public Library in Universal Basic Education and Learning to Live in Nigeria. Borno Library and Information Science Journal, 6 (2): 33-34.
[7] Onyenachi, J. 2012. Library Services and Uses. Aba: Jopflows.
[8] Nnadozie, C. O. 2007. Foundations of Library Practice. Owerri: Springfield Publishers.
[9] Mambo, H. L. 2008. Public Libraries in Africa: A Critical Assessment. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science, 8 (2): 67-76.
[10] Mchombu, K. 2001. Which Way African Librarianship? International Library Review, 23: 183-200.
[11] Oyedum, G. U. 2006. Types of Libraries and Children Literature of Nigeria. Minna: Mario Press.
[12] Maigari, J. A. 2002, January 14. Libraries as Instrument of Mass Mobilization. The Reporter, P. 16.
[13] Reitz, J. M. 2004. Dictionary of Library and Information Science. West port, Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited.
[14] Achebe, N. E. E. 2005. The Status of ICT Facilities in Nigeria Public Libraries. Coal City Libraries, 2 (1): 13-31.
[15] Agodi, J. E. and Obasi, R. O. 2016. Repositioning Public Library for Economic and Educational Enhancement in Nigeria. IIARD International Journal of Economics and Business Management, 2 (3): 52-60.
[16] Chukwueke, C., Onuoha, J. and Nnadozie, C. D. 2019. Libraries as Facilitators of Intellectual Freedom. A Paper Presented at the 57th National Conference/AGM of the Nigerian Library Association Held at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Efurrun-Warri Delta State, Nigeria From 28th July – 2nd August, 2019.
[17] Saka, K. A. 2019. Public Library Services for a Truly Democratic Nigeria. A Paper Presented at the 57th National Conference/AGM of the Nigerian Library Association Held at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Efurrun-Warri Delta State, Nigeria From 28th July – 2nd August, 2019.
[18] Oklah, J. L. 2007. Bauchi State Public Library Extension Services: Problems and Prospects. Unpublished BLS Project. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
[19] Benge, R. C. 2000. Libraries and Cultural Changes. London: Clive Bingley.
[20] Opara, U. N. 2008. Public Library in Contemporary: Challenges and the Way Forward. IFLA Journal, 34 (4): 349-358.
[21] Ikenwe, I. J. and Adegbilero-Iwari, I. 2014. Utilization and User Satisfaction of Public Library Services in South-West, Nigeria in the 21st Century: A Survey. International Journal of Library Science, 3 (1): 1-6.
[22] Aguolu, C. C and Aguolu T. E. 2002. Libraries and Information Management in Nigeria: Seminar Essays on Theories and Problems. Maduguri: Education-Information Science.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Juliet Onuoha, Chukwuemeka Chukwueke. (2021). Effective Information Services Delivery in Nigerian Public Libraries: Panacea for Rural Development. Social Sciences, 10(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20211001.11

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Juliet Onuoha; Chukwuemeka Chukwueke. Effective Information Services Delivery in Nigerian Public Libraries: Panacea for Rural Development. Soc. Sci. 2021, 10(1), 1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20211001.11

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Juliet Onuoha, Chukwuemeka Chukwueke. Effective Information Services Delivery in Nigerian Public Libraries: Panacea for Rural Development. Soc Sci. 2021;10(1):1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20211001.11

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ss.20211001.11,
      author = {Juliet Onuoha and Chukwuemeka Chukwueke},
      title = {Effective Information Services Delivery in Nigerian Public Libraries: Panacea for Rural Development},
      journal = {Social Sciences},
      volume = {10},
      number = {1},
      pages = {1-6},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ss.20211001.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20211001.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ss.20211001.11},
      abstract = {As day go by, the demands on libraries keep increasing. Such also, are the expectations on public libraries in Nigeria. Today, the importance of public libraries in the worldview cannot be overemphasized as a result of the different services offered and roles played towards growth and development of the society. Regrettably, a close look at most public libraries, especially in the rural communities of Nigeria makes one to wonder what good these libraries can offer to the nation at large and the rural communities in particular. This scenario therefore, calls for urgent attention in the area of repositioning these public libraries for effective information services delivery. However, the avenue through which this effective information services delivery in Nigerian public libraries can be achieved may be through the provision of diversified information resources (both print and non-print) and further inclusion of community library services, not necessarily delivered within the walls of the library but outside. This is the thrust of this paper as it critically looked into ways of ensuring effective information services delivery in Nigerian public libraries for rural development. In handling this, the paper critically examined the historical overview of public libraries, the Nigerian public library systems in perspective, and the Nigerian public libraries and the rural community. However, before delving into the issue of repositioning public libraries for rural development, the authors tried to look at the challenges facing Nigerian public libraries in information services delivery. It was further concluded that the Nigerian public libraries can do better and live up to expectation if there is government intervention in the area of establishing public libraries across the nation, especially in Nigerian rural communities, among other recommendations.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Effective Information Services Delivery in Nigerian Public Libraries: Panacea for Rural Development
    AU  - Juliet Onuoha
    AU  - Chukwuemeka Chukwueke
    Y1  - 2021/01/15
    PY  - 2021
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20211001.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ss.20211001.11
    T2  - Social Sciences
    JF  - Social Sciences
    JO  - Social Sciences
    SP  - 1
    EP  - 6
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2326-988X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20211001.11
    AB  - As day go by, the demands on libraries keep increasing. Such also, are the expectations on public libraries in Nigeria. Today, the importance of public libraries in the worldview cannot be overemphasized as a result of the different services offered and roles played towards growth and development of the society. Regrettably, a close look at most public libraries, especially in the rural communities of Nigeria makes one to wonder what good these libraries can offer to the nation at large and the rural communities in particular. This scenario therefore, calls for urgent attention in the area of repositioning these public libraries for effective information services delivery. However, the avenue through which this effective information services delivery in Nigerian public libraries can be achieved may be through the provision of diversified information resources (both print and non-print) and further inclusion of community library services, not necessarily delivered within the walls of the library but outside. This is the thrust of this paper as it critically looked into ways of ensuring effective information services delivery in Nigerian public libraries for rural development. In handling this, the paper critically examined the historical overview of public libraries, the Nigerian public library systems in perspective, and the Nigerian public libraries and the rural community. However, before delving into the issue of repositioning public libraries for rural development, the authors tried to look at the challenges facing Nigerian public libraries in information services delivery. It was further concluded that the Nigerian public libraries can do better and live up to expectation if there is government intervention in the area of establishing public libraries across the nation, especially in Nigerian rural communities, among other recommendations.
    VL  - 10
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Library Unit, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

  • Library Unit, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria

  • Sections