The Administration of Branch Libraries in a Developing Country:

Abstract

Branch libraries are considered important for effective public library service to large communities. This study was aimed at investigating the administration of branch libraries in a developing country, Nigeria. A pretested mail questionnaire was used for data collection. Usable responses were received from twelve state public library services which had 66 branch libraries. The branch libraries were inadequate for the populations they were meant to serve. They were poorly funded and staffed, and had small collections. Though efforts were made to reflect the interests and needs of the branch libraries in book selection and other aspects, heads of branch libraries had inadequate administrative powers for efficient management of their units.