Abstract
The paper assessed information resources of public libraries in Rivers State. A survey research design was used for the study; four research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study comprised of 1150 public library users and librarians in Rivers State. A sample size of 220 public library users and 10 librarians were obtained through purposive sampling techniques. A structure questionnaire and a checklist were used to collect data for the study. Data obtained were analyzed using arithmetic mean and the hypothesis tested with z-test. The checklist was analyzed based on the degree to which the items are available. Findings revealed that public libraries in Rivers State provide adequate information resources for users, awareness of resources provided by public libraries in Rivers State is low, inadequate funding, high cost of information resources are some of the problems faced by public libraries in Rivers State. Some recommendations were made for improvement.
Highlights
The establishment of public library is based on the need to provide library resources and services to support education, research, recreation, cultural, political and information needs of the public
Major Findings The major findings of this study revealed that: Public libraries in Rivers State provide adequate information resources
The study found that public library users’ in Rivers State need various information resources on education, health, employment, security, environment, crime reports, social activities, religion, politics, agriculture, sports, government programmes, current affairs, fish production, human right, business, oil spillage, and disease control
Summary
The establishment of public library is based on the need to provide library resources and services to support education, research, recreation, cultural, political and information needs of the public. Seavey (2003), described public library as an agency of knowledge, providing opportunities for life–long learning, independent decision making, and culture development of individuals and social groups. It is an organization established, and supported through local, regional or through some other form of community organizations. Today libraries do have books and stock with variety of information resources which are in print and non-print sources These information resources are government publications, rare books, textbooks, fictions, encyclopedias, dictionaries, geographies, maps, atlases, journals, microform, microfilm, periodicals, DVD, RAM, CD-ROM, computer, cassettes, painting, videos, floppy disk, compact disks, pamphlets, television and many more
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