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

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.