EXAMINATION OF PUBLIC LIBRARIS AND IT’S EXTENSION SERVICES IN NIGERIA

Public libraries contribute significantly to the educational development and literacy level of any community. They are often considered as an essential part of having an educated and literate population. Public libraries by definition are libraries established and maintained by the government for the entire populace (Otubelu, 2005). Similarly, public libraries are libraries provided wholly or partly from public funds and the use of which is not restricted to any class of persons in the community but freely available to all (Prythrch, 1999). Thus, a public library is the information storehouse and the custodian of knowledge for posterity in its community of operation. It is not just the clearing-house for all informational, educational and recreational needs of a community; it is more importantly, a source of power. This power derives essentially from the backdrop of the fact that as store-houses of knowledge and repositories of human heritage, public libraries are primarily saddled with responsibilities bordering on conservation, preservation and of course, transmission of the peoples culture. As such, they are not only significant as instrument of social and political changes, but indeed, as the principal guardians of freedom of thought.

Making their own contribution on important roles play by public libraries, Abel and Issa (2012) noted that public libraries assist people to contribute to the growth of knowledge, make much use of leisure as well as promote personal and social well-being, develop their creative and spiritual capacities capable in their daily occupation, discharge political and social obligation to become better members of home and community, keep pace with progress in all fields and educate themselves continuously.

Public libraries can be differentiated from academic, school and special libraries because they serve the needs of a diverse service population including small children, students, professionals, and the elderly (Whole, 2011). Public libraries are universal libraries. They are expected to serve all kinds of people including young children and people with disabilities or even people who for one reason or the other are incapacitated. Such people include patients in the hospitals, prisoners, blind, deaf and dumb etc. (Aina,2004). Similarly, the services of the public libraries are provided for all, irrespective of age, race, sex, religion, nationality, language or social status. According to Otubelu (200%0, public libraries also provide services to those categories of users who cannot, for one reason use the regular services and materials for instance rural population, disabled persons, hospital patients and prisoners.

Although, public libraries serve the public at large, including those who are also served by other types of library. Irrespective of the types of library, they provide informative benefits to members of immediate communities and environment in which they are constructed. This is because, they constitute places for all classes of people; all individuals have access to printed and other materials and other information. However, in order to do this, resources are provided and services are organized so as to enable people make use of the library in their own time to services their own informative and educational interest.

In order to reach out to the citizens, public libraries must provide extension services. Extension services is a virtual “library within a library” providing service to schools, shut-ins and various organizations throughout the city. Extension services endeavors to meet the needs of widely scattered residents through its bookmobile, classroom and deposit collections to schools, day cares, fire stations, nursing homes, senior citizen apartments among others through special services such as delivery and pick-up of library materials to shut-ins (Gary, 2010).

Public libraries extend their services and materials to rural population through the services of the mobile libraries. Mobile libraries are vans which carry materials and staff to the rural population within a state and materials is borrowed out and also those that are already due are returned in the process (Otubelu, 2005). Public library extension services such as bookmobile have the potential for a greater variety and quality of service (Friese, 2008). According to Kibat (1990), mobile services have reached segments of the rural population that would not otherwise have any library facilities at all. The bookmobile and its counterparts have brought improvements to rural areas, stimulated reading interest, and have increased general awareness on health, nutrition, child care and family planning among others. To this end, Abel and Issa (2012) rightly stated that it is therefore no coincidence that one of the most significant developments in public1ibrarianship has been the library’s effort to reach out to the community. Thus, Urnar (1980) underpins this essence in his observation that a good public library system attempts to serve the entire population with all its dimensions of needs.

It is necessary that the public library makes its extension services available and known to the entire community, thus bringing the need for it to undertake extension services. As Oklah (1987) puts it the value of library extension services came with the consideration of the ways the public library can perform its functions effectively, one of which is to reach out to all members of the community library services. Unfortunately, in spite of the lofty goals and laudable aspirations discussed above, public libraries are grappling with a number of challenges such as lack of fund, lack of mobility, inadequate staff, lack of awareness, lack of current materials etc

These challenges have in no doubt constituted a problem to public libraries in achieving their objectives in Nigeria. For instance, Abel and Issa (2012) supported that public library system in Nigeria suffers most by ways of neglect, lack of recognition, inadequate funding and personnel which have negatively affected the provision of the desired services by the public libraries.

The cases of public libraries in Kogi and Benue States are not different from the deteriorated conditions of other public libraries in other part of the country. Kogi State Library Board has four functional branch libraries while on the other hand, the Benue State Library Board has ten branches across the state. Despite the significant roles play by public libraries in bridging information and knowledge gap as documented in the literature, the services rendered by the public libraries in both Kogi and Benue states are still discouraging. Both personnel and facilities required for smooth running of public libraries in the states seem not to be adequate, hence, the failure of the libraries in meeting information and educational needs of the people. This situation has greatly deprived both urban and rural dwellers of the two states from taking the advantage of public library services for growth and development. This is worrisome and instigated the researcher to empirically examine public library extension services in Kogi and Benue states.

Statement of the problem

An important aspect to be considered in the process of inducing the development of Nigeria is to develop an effective information system mechanism for the nation to be successful in its quest for education for all An exchange of the required information is necessary to coordinate, control and directs human activities towards accomplishing their stated objectives To ensure the collection and dissemination of information on a regular basis, it may be necessary to develop formal communication channel whereby the public can be informed of development.

One requires information to communicate effectively and a major channel through which required information can be achieved is public library. Public libraries are recognized as essential resource centres, which no user can afford to dispense if he wants to attain his developmental goals. Public libraries continue to play an important role in the adult education programme in sustaining the diverse forms of cultural expressions. This is because, public libraries attempt to meet a wide varies of readers needs, providing varied information resources such as text books, journals, literary books and other publications. Considering the overwhelming advantages of public libraries therefore, when a society lacks adequate public library services, its future is in doom This is because, the illiteracy rate in such society is always very high to the detriment of societal growth and development A society that is not informed is deformed The present case of public libraries in Nigerian society is worrisome as major and important services to be provided to the societies by these libraries are lacking and inadequate. The eases of public libraries in Kogi and Benue States are not different.

In fact, the observations as a result of the visits of the researcher to some public libraries in Kogi and Benue States showed that the public libraries rarely provide extension services to rural dwellers in the States. This could among other factors be as a result of lack of human and material resources, inadequate funding or poor infrastructure. In spite of the above, no effort has been made to assess public library extension services in these libraries and this may affect the educational, political, and social development of the rural populace It is against this background at the study was carried out to examine issues surrounding extension services in public libraries in Kogi and Benue State of north central Nigeria in order to fill the existing information gap in knowledge.

Purpose of the study

The general purpose of the study was to examine public library extension services in Kogi and Benue States of the North Central Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to:

1) Identify public library extension services available in these libraries

2) Identify resources employed in the provision of public library extension services in these libraries

3) Examine the level of awareness of i5ublic library extension services in these libraries

4) Examine the purposes for public library extension services in the two states.

5) Identify the challenges confronting public library extension services in these libraries

6) Proffer strategies for enhancing public library extension services in these libraries

Research Questions

This study was guided by the following research questions

1) What are the public library extension services available in Kogi State Library Board Lokoja and Benue State Library Board Makurdi?

2) What are the resources employed in the provision of public library extension services in these libraries

3) What is the level of public library extension services awareness in these libraries?

4) What are the purposes for public library extension services in these libraries?

5) What are the challenges confronting public library extension services in these libraries?

6) What are the strategies for enhancing public library extension services in these libraries?

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be of great benefit to the following groups of people; the disadvantaged, public, primary and secondary schools, departments of library and information science, other researchers in related fields and library administration.

To the disadvantaged people in the society, the findings that will emerge from this study will help to improve extension services of public libraries to those who cannot ordinarily make• use of the libraries due to thej’living very far from a library facility. This is because, through the findings, the need and purposes of public libraries in society building will be made known to stakeholders for necessary actions at the advantage of the people.

To public primary and secondary schools, the result of the study if well utilized will provide an avenue for them to continually improve the reading culture of their pupils and students especially after school and during the holidays. This is because, the findings of this study will serve as eyes openers to the management of Nigerian school system to proffer solution to their ill-fated service delivery in the states and nation in general.

The findings of this study will also be beneficial to departments of library and information science in that it will provide literature which will in turn add to the existing literature on the subject matter. In addition, researchers in related area will greatly benefit from the result in that, the material will form an important reference tool that will sharpen the focus of their studies. To the library administration, the findings of the study will expose them to the major challenges confronting the provision of extension services so as to make case for improve public extension services in these libraries.

Scope of the Study

This study was limited to Benue and Kogi states of the north central Nigeria. Kogi and Benue State are located in north central Nigeria. They are bounded by Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara, Enugu, Cross River, and Taraba States respectively. Specifically, the study assessed public library extension services in Kogi State Library Board lokoja and Benue State Library Board Makurdi in terms of public library extension services and resources available for public library extension services, level of awareness and the need for such services, challenges confronting public library extension services and strategies for enhancing public library extension services.




CHAPTER TWO

RESEARCH METHOD

This chapter describes the procedure of the study under the following headings: research design, area of the study, population of the study, sample and sampling technique, instrument for data collection, validation of the instrument, procedure for data collection and method of data analysis.

Design of the Study

The design of this study is descriptive survey design. According to Ama, (2002) descriptive survey research design is a type of design that involves a systematic and comprehensive collection of information about the opinions, attitudes, feelings, beliefs and behaviours of people through observations, interviews and administering of questionnaires to a relative large representative sample of the population of interest. This is deemed appropriate for the study because the study is based on collection of data from the respondents using structured questionnaire.

Area of the Study

The area of this study is made up of Kogi and Benue States of Nigeria. Kogi and Benue States are located in North Central Zone of Nigeria.Benue andKogi States are bounded by Taraba, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara, Enugu, and Cross-River States. The two states are blessed with public libraries with branches at Idah, Dekina and Bassa in Kogi State and Otukpo, Gboko and KatsinaAla in Benue State.

Population of the Study

The population of this study consist of fourteen branches (Idah, Dekina, Bassa, Ankpa, Otukpo, Gboko, KatsinaAla, Ugbokholo, Oju, Zaki-Biam, Awajir, Guma, Vandikya and Adikpo) of the Kogi State library Board Lokoja and Benue State Library Board Makurdi with a population of seventy one (71) library staff and one thousand, six hundred and sixty seven (1,667) registered users in 2011. According to the users registration registers of the institutions, there are twenty two (22) library staff, seven hundred and twenty three (723) registered users in Kogi State Library Board Lokoja and forty nine (49) library staff with nine hundred and forty seven (947) registered users in Benue State Library Board Makurdi respectively (See appendix A, page 69).

Sample and Sampling Technique

Simple random and proportionate sampling techniques were used to select 271 respondents for the study. In this way the names of the fourteen branches were written on separate pieces of papers and placed in a container, in which they were shaken together. The researcher then asked a fellow student to pick any six. In this way, all the branches were given fair opportunity of being selected. Drawing from the above, Idah, Dekina, Bassa, Otukpo, Gboko, KatsinaAla were randomly selected for the study. From the total number of the library users in the se1eced six libraries, 200 library users were randomly and proportionately selected of which 80 were selected from Kogi state while 120 were selected from Benue State. On the other hand, all the seventy one (71) library staff of the two boards were used making the total sample of respondents for the study to be 271. Justifying the use of the entire 71 library staff in the two states library boards, Nworgu (2004) noted that if the population of the study is small there is no need for sampling meaning that all the population should be used. This was deemed appropriate because the population of staff in the two boards being small, the researcher did not sample but used it all (See Appendix B, page 69).

Instrument for Data Collection

The instruments for data collection in this study were observation checklist, questionnaire and oral interview. Observation checklist was designed by the researcher in line with research question one and two. The checklist contains twenty two (22) items for collecting data on the public library extension services and the resources available in the libraries under study. The questionnaire which on the other hand was titled: “Extension Services in Public Libraries Questionnaire (ESPLQ)” was designed by the researcher strictly in line with remaining four research questions 3 to 6 of the study. The questionnaire is divided into two parts (part one and two). Part one contains three (3) items eliciting important background information about the respondents whereas, part two which is divided into four (4) clusters containing forty (40) items seek to obtain information from questions raised from the research questions of the study.

Cluster one which is made up of twelve (12) items is intended to collect relevant data on the level of public library extension services awareness. Cluster two consists of twelve (12) items soliciting for information about the need for public library extension services, cluster three has eight (8) items elicits data on the challenges confronting public library extension services in these libraries. Finally cluster four which contains eight (8) items seeks to collect data on the strategies for enhancing public library extension services in these libraries. This brings the total number of items on the questionnaire to forty (40).

Oral interview involved personal contact between the researcher, staff and users, since the researcher did not know about the public library extension services available, and their problems, questionnaire was not enough for eliciting data from the librarians as well as system analysts.



Validation of Instrument

The instrument for data collection was face-validated by experts’ comprising of two lecturers in the department of Library and Information Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. These experts were requested to validate the instrument for the purpose of proper wording of the items, appropriateness and adequacy of items for the study, as well as relevance of items to the purpose and research questions of the study. All the comments that were made by the two validates were used in the final modification of the instrument (See appendix C).

Method of Data Collection

The questionnaire were administered to two hundred library users and seventy one library staff of the boards and collected within one week by the researcher with the help of three trained research assistants. The research assistants were trained on systematic approach of the respondents for quality data collection for the study. Oral interview was conducted with library staff and users on the facilities available for extension services and the available services designed for users to make use of. Personal observation was also carried out by the researcher to checkmate the availability of the facilities for extension services and services designed for users. This was done within one week by the researcher with the aid of research assistants in the libraries who were trained or instructed on what to do by the researcher with permission of the library management. This was done to ensure high return rate of the questionnaire. All the 71 copies of the checklist administered to the library staff were returned indicating 100% return rate. For the questionnaire, out of the two hundred and seventy one (271) copies administered to library users and library staff, 258 copies were properly filled, retrieved and used for the data analysis representing about 96% rate of return.

Method of Data Analysis

Data collected through oral interyiews and personal observation were descriptively analyzed while the one from questionnaire was presented in tabular form and analyzed with the use of percentages, frequencies and mean. The responses to questionnaire items were obtained using four point rating scale of: strongly agree (SA), agree (A), disagree (D), strongly disagree (SD) for need for public extension services, challenges and strategies for enhancing public library extension services; while four point rating scale of: very high extent (VHE), high extent (HE), low extent (LE) and no extent (NE) was used for assessing the level of awareness on public library extension services. On a four point Likert-type scale, the cut-off point was obtained by adding up the values (all the scores) in the scale and dividing it by the number of scores as follows:



4 4

Any item ranked from 2.50 and above was “Agreed” or “High Awareness” as the case may be while on the other hand, any one ranked below 2.50 was regarded as “Disagreed” or “Low Awareness” as the case may be.




CHAPTER THREE

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

This chapter presents the analysis and interpretation of data for answering the research questions.

Research Question One

What are the public library extension services available in Kogi State Library Board Lokoja and Benue State Library Board Makurdi?

The data for answering research question one are presented in tables 1a and b below.

Table 1 (a): availability of public library extension services (PLES) in Kogi state library board lokoja


S/N

Public library extension services `

Observation


1.

Exhibition services

Not available


2.

Lending services

Available


3.

Referencing services

Available


4.

Multimedia services

Available


5.

Internet services

Not available


6.

Children’s club services

Not available


7.

Mobile libraries

Not available


8.

Book box services

Not available


9.

Branch library

Available


10.

Facilities for rental services

Not available


11.

Inter library loan services

Not available




Table 1a above presents the observation of the researcher on the availability of public library extension services in Kogi State library board Lokoja. Out of the 11 public library extension services identified in the study, only 4 services which include: lending service, referring service multimedia service and branch library services were available at Kogi State library board Lokoja. On the other hand, the remaining 7 services which include: exhibition service, internet service, children’s club services, mobile libraries book box service facilities for rental service and inter library loan services were not available at Kogi state library board Lokoja.

Table 1 (b): availability of public library extension services (PLES) in Benue State library board Makurdi


S/N

Public library extension services `

Observation


1.

Exhibition services

Not available


2.

Lending services

Available


3.

Referencing services

Available


4.

Multimedia services

Available


5.

Internet services

Not available


6.

Children’s club services

Available


7.

Mobile libraries

Not available


8.

Book box services

Not available


9.

Branch library

Available


10.

Facilities for rental services

Not available


11.

Inter library loan services

Not available




Table lb above presents the observation of the researcher on the availability of public library extension services in Benue State library board Makurdi. Out of the 11 public library extension services identified in the study, only 5 services which include: lending service, referencing service, multimedia service, children’s club service and branch library services were available at Benue State library board Makurdi. On the other hand, the remaining 6 services which include: exhibition service, internet service, mobile libraries, book box service, facilities for rental service and inter library loan services were not available at Benue State library board Makurdi.

Research Question Two

What are the resources available for public library extension services services in Kogi State Library Board Lokoja and Benue State Library Board Makurdi?

The data for answering research question two are presented in table 2a and b below.




Table 2 (a): Availability of Resources for Public Library Extension Services (PLES) in Kogi State Library Board Lokoja


S/N

Public library extension services `

Observation


1.

Books

Available


2.

Journal/periodicals

Available


3.

Newspapers

Available


4.

Audiovisual materials

Not available


5.

Finance

Available


6.

Manpower

Available


7.

Mobile van

Not available


8.

Computers

Available


9.

Audio books

Not available


10.

Video tapes

Not available


11.

CD-ROMS

Not available




Table 2a above presents the observatioin of the researcher on the availableity of resources for public library extension services in Kogi State library board Lokoja. Out of the 11 resources for public library extension services identified in the study, 6 resources which include: books, journals/periodicals, newspapers finance, manpower, and computers were available at Kogi State library board Lokoja. On the other hand, the remaining 5 resouces which include: audiovisual materials, mobile van, audio books, video tapes and CD-ROMS were not available at Kogi State library board Lokoja.




Table 2b): Availability of Resources for Public Library Extension Services (PLES) in Benue State Library Board Makurdi


S/N

Resources available for public library extension services

Observation


1.

Books

Available


2.

Journal/periodicals

Available


3.

Newspapers

Available


4.

Audiovisual materials

Available


5.

Finance

Available


6.

Manpower

Available


7.

Mobile van

Not available


8.

Computers

Available


9.

Audio books

Not available


10.

Video tapes

Not available


11.

CD-ROMS

Available




Table 2b above presents the observation of the researcher on the availability of resources for public library extension services in Benue State library board Makurdi. Out of the 11 resources for public library extension services identified in the study, 8 resources which include: books, journals/periodicals, audiovisual, newspapers, finance, manpower, computers and CDROMS were available at Benue State library board Makurdi. On the other hand, the remaining 3 resources which include: mobile van, audio books and video tapes were not available at Benue State library board Makurdi.

Table 3 mean rating of the responses of library users on the level of awareness of public library extension services in the two states.


S/N

Awareness of public library extension services

X

SD

Rank

Remarks


1.

Exhibitions services

2.33

1.335

6th

Low awareness


2.

Lending services

2.89

0.987

1st

High V awareness


3.

Reference services

2.71

0.821

2nd

high awareness


4.

Multimedia services

2.29

1.043

8th

low awareness


5.

Internet services

2,35

1.183

5th

low awareness


6.

Children’s club services

2.31

1.012

7th

low awareness


7.

Mobile services

2.12

1.113

10th

low awareness


8.

Book box services

2.43

0.961

4th

low awareness


9.

Branck library services

2.54

0.852

3rd

high awareness


10.

Facilities for rental services

1.83

1.134

11th

low awareness


11.

Inter library loan servics

2.22

1.032

9th

low awareness




Overall level of awareness of PLES

2.36

1.043



Low awareness




Data is presented in table 3 above on level of awareness of public library extension services in Kogi and Benue Stes library boards showed that the mean values of lending services, reference services and branch library services were 2.54, 2.71 and 2.89 respectively which are greater than the cut-off point value of 2.50 on 4-point rating scale. This indicated that, the respondents (library users) are highly aware of the three identified Public Library Extension Services (PLES) which include: lending, reference and branch library services in the study area.

On the other hand, the mean values on awareness of the remaining eight (8) public library extension.services were between 1.83 to 2.43 which are less than the cut-off point value of 2.50 on 4-point rating scale. This implied that, the respondents (library users) agreed that the awareness of the eight public library extension services (PLES) which include: exhibitions, multimedia, internet, children’s club, mobile libraries, book box, facilities for rental, inter library and loan services are low in the study area. The overall (average) mean value of level of awareness of public library extension services in the area was 2.36 which is less than the cut-off point value of 2.50. This indicated that, the level of awareness of the public library extension services in Kogi and Benue States library boards is generally low.

Research question four

What are the needs for public extension services in the two states?

The data for answering research question four are presented in table 4 below.

Table 4: mean rating s of the responses of library users and staff on the need for public library extension services (PLES) in the two states (N= 258).


S/N

The need for public library extension services

X

SD

Ranks

Remarks


1.

Create and stimulate desire for reading

3.44

0.770

7th

Agreed


2.

Convert non-readers into readers

3.66

0.631

1st

Agreed


3.

Exploitation and promotion of collection

3.45

0.968

6th

Agreed


4.

Turn the library to a social centre which encourages readings

3.49

0.826

5th

Agreed


5.

Crfeate image of the library among the public and govenemnt

3.35

0.912

9th

Agreed


6.

Promote literacy compaign

3.54

0.651

4th

Agreed


7.

Enable the librarian to know his or her audience on a friendly and informal basis

3.62

0.569

2nd

Agreed


8.

To inform readers of all the facitilites offered by library

3.49

0.715

5th

Agreed


9.

Help patrons to broaden their knowledge

3.39

0.765

8th

Agreed


10.

Satisfy ones information needs and improve reading habits

3.56

0.769

3rd

Agreed


11.

Reduces expenses on books by lending out books to users

3.49

0.826

5th

Agreed


12.

Improve educational standard in the society

3.20

0.744

10th

Agreed




Overall mean for needs for PLES

3.48

0.762



Agreed




The data presented in table 4 above showed that, the mean rating s of the responses of the respondents on all the twelve (12) items relating to needs for public library extension series (PLES) had mean values ranging from 3.20 to 3.66 which are all greater than the cut-off point value of 2.50 on a 4-point rating scale. The above findings revealed that the library staff agreed that all the identified 12 items some of which include: top create and stimulate desire for rating, convert non-readers into readers, exploitation and promotion of collection, turn the library to a social centre which encourages readings, create image of the library among the public and government, promote literacy campaign, enable the librarian to know his or her audience on a friendly and informal basis and to inform readers of all the facilities offered by the library are needs for Public Library Extension Services in Kogi and Benue States. The overall (average) mean value of the need for Public Library Extension Services in the area was 3.48 which is greater than the cut-off point value of 2.50. This indicated that, the respondents agreed that there is need for Public Library Extension Services in the study area. The values of the standard deviation for all the 12 items in the table ranged between 0.569 to 0.968; this implied that the responses of the respondents are close to one another and to the mean.







S/N

Challenges of the public library extension services

X

SD

Ranks

Remarks


1.

Lack of adequate, up-to-date and relevant reading materials for public/general user

3.13

0.735

5th

Agreed


2.

Lack of vigilance in public relations and publicity on the side of professional librarians

2.44

0.874

8th

Disagree


3.

Poor response from potential donors

3.25

0.788

2nd

Agreed


4.

Training of library staff in new skills has not been possible

2.90

1.135

7th

Agreed


5.

Unavailability of working tools like paper catalogue cards, typewriters, vehicles etc

3.06

1.040

6th

Agreed


6.

Renovation of existing building has been impossible, particularly the regional libraries

3.14

0.674

4th

Agreed


7.

Furniture is worn out as a result of a lack of maintenance

3.18

0.816

3rd

Agreed


8.

Lack of funds to buy adequate computers and other modern equipment

3.41

0.708

1st

Agreed




Overall mean for challenges confronting PLES

3.16

0.846



Agreed




The data presented in Table 5 above showed that, the mean ratings of the responses of the respondents on seven (7) out of the eight (8) items relating to challenges of Public Library Extension Services (PLES) had mean values ranging from 2.90 to 3.41 which are greater than the cut-off point value of 2.50 on a 4-point rating scale. This indicated that the library staff agreed that the seven (7) identified items in the table which include: lack of adequate, up-to-date and relevant reading materials for public/general user, poor response from potential donors, training of library staff in new skills has not been possible, unavailability of working tools like paper, catalogue cards, typewriters, vehicles, renovation of existing building has been impossible, particularly the regional libraries, furniture is worn out as a result of a lack of maintenance and lack of funds to buy adequate computers and other modem equipment are challenges confronting Public Library Extension Services in Kogi and Benue States Library Boards.

The data showed further that, the mean rating of the responses of the respondents on the remaining one item, specifically item 2 is 2.44 which is less than the cut-off point value of 2.50 on a 4-point rating scale. This implied that the respondents disagreed that item 2 (lack of vigilance in public relations and publicity on the side of professional librarians) is part of the challenges confronting Public Library Extension Services in the area. The overall (average) mean value of the challenges confronting Public Library Extension Services in the area was 3.16 which is greater than the cut-off point value of 2.50. This indicated that, library staff agreed that Public Library Extension Services in the study area are confronted by some notable challenges. The values of the standard deviation for all the eight (8) items in the table ranged between 0.674 to 1.135; this implied that the responses of the respondents are close to one another and to the mean.

Research question Six

What are the strategies for enhancing public library extension services in these libraries?

The data for answering research question six are presented in table s6 below




Table 6: mean rating of the response of library users and staff on the strategies for enhancing public library extension services (PLES) in the two states (N = 258).


S/N

Strategies for enhancing public library extension services

X

SD

Ranks

Remarks


1.

Qualified librarians should be more involved in the planning and implementation of public library programmes

3.13

0.608

8th

Agreed


2.

Public librarians should also draw attention of the members or the society to the values of libraries especially how it contributes to 0.856the wellbeing of the individuals

3.31

0.689

3rd

Agreed


3.

Urgent attention to be given to networking of libraries for resource sharing and avoiding duplication, creation of compatible computerized database

3.15

0.831

7th

Agreed


4.

Formulation of preservation programmes for libraries which have rare book/manuscrips

3.23

0.783

6th

Agreed


5.

Awareness creation among users and library staff regarding and preservation of books

3.24

0.689

5th

Agreed


6.

Modernization and automation of libraries for easy accessibility to use

3.33

0.608

2nd

Agreed


7.

Resource mobilization for development of libraries to be made through different agencies

3.27

0.758

4th

Agreed


8.

More phases for development of library movement in rural areas.

3.35

0.728

1st

Agreed




Overall mean of strategies for enhancing PLES.

3.25





Agreed




The data presented in Table 6 above showed that, the mean ratings of the responses of the respondents on all the eight (8) items relating to strategies for enhancing Public Library Extension Services (PLES) had mean values ranging from 3.13 to 3.35 which are all greater than the cut-off point value of 2.50 on a 4-point rating scale. The above findings showed that the library staff agreed that all the identified 8 items which include: qualified librarians should be more involved in the planning and implementation of public library programmes, formulation of preservation programmes for libraries which have rare books/manuscripts, more phases for development of library movement in rural areas, modernization and automation of libraries for easy accessibility to use, awareness creation among users and library staff regarding the need for libraries and preservation of books and resource mobilization for development of libraries to be made through different agencies among others are strategies that could be employed for enhancing Public. Library Extension Services in Kogi and Benue States library boards. The overall (average) mean value of the strategies 3.25 which is greater than the cut-off point value of 2.50. This implied that the library staff agreed that the identified strategies could be employed for enhancing the Public Library Extension Services in the study area. The values of the standard deviation for all the 8 items in the table ranged from 0.608 to 0.856 implying that the responses of the respondents are close to one another and to the mean.

Summary of Findings

From the data collected and observation from the study, the following are the major findings of the study.

1) Out of the 11 public library extension services identified in the study, only 4 services were available in Kogi State library board Lokoja while the remaining 7 services were not available.

2) 2. Out of the 11 public library extension services identified in the study, only 5 services were available in Benue State library board Makurdi while the remaining 6 services were not available.

3) 3. Out of the 11 resources for public library extension services identified in the study, 6 resources were available in Kogi State library board Lokoja while the remaining 5 resources were not available.

4) 4. Out of the 11 resources for public library extension services identified in the study. 8 resources were available in Benue State library board Makurdi while the remaining 3 resources were not available.

5) 5. The awareness of the library users was high on 3 out of the 11 identified public library extension services while on the remaining 8 services, the awareness of the users was low.

6) 6. The respondents agreed that there are needs for public library extension services in the area.

7) 7. The respondents agreed that there are challenges confronting Public Library Extension Services in the two states.

8) The respondents agreed that there are strategies that could be employed for enhancing the Public Library Extension Services in the study area.




CHAPTER FOUR

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION.

Discussion of Findings

This chapter discusses the findings of this study as they relate to the research questions, the educational implications, recommendations, limitations of the study, suggestion for further studies and conclusion.

Available Public Library Extension Services (PLES)

The findings of this study on research question one clearly showed that only few of the public library extension services such as lending, referencing and branch library services are available in both Kogi and Benue states library boards while majority of the services such as exhibitions, internet, children’s club, mobile libraries, facilities for rental and inter library loan are not available.

The findings of this study is in consonance with the findings of Gbadamosi (2003) who found out that most of the services of the public libraries such as reading materials lending, extending branch library services, exhibitions of materials, internet facilities and services and mobile libraries services to the immediate communities in Nigeria are often lacked in Nigeria. In addition, the findings of this study on availability of public library extension services agreed with the result of Awosika (2006) on effectiveness of library services to users in southwest Nigeria where the author also established that relevant public library services such as exhibition, children’s club, mobile, book box and inter library loan services are grossly inadequate for effective service delivery to users in the area.

Available Resources for Public Library Extension Services (PLES)

The findings of this study as regards to research question two showed that only few of the resources of public library extension services such as books, journals/periodicals and newspapers are available in both libraries while majority of the identified resources such as audiovisual materials, mobile Van, audio books, video tapes and CDROMS are not available in public libraries in the two states.

The findings of this study on availability of library resources agreed with the findings of Oyesiku and Oduwole (2004) who found that library collections such books, journals, audiovisual materials, computers and other ICT gargets, audio books and video tapes were inadequate to meet users demands, even when 84.3% of users are not trained in information retrieval. The findings of this study furthr supported the findings of Ugah (2007) who found that a greater percentage of about 83.8% of users reported that library materials are sometimes not available. Also in agreement with the findings of this study, Kibat (2009) found that parts of the major problems of public libraries include: inadequate finance, lack of means of mobility and often time inadequate or lack of competent man power.

Awareness of Public Library Extension Services

The findings of this study as regards research question three revealed that the library users from the two state library boards have low awareness of most of the services in the libraries. These include: exhibitions services, multimedia services, internet services, children’s club services, mobile libraries, book box services, facilities for rental services and inter library loan services.

The findings of this study on level of awareness of public library extension services is in agreement with the findings of Ebiwolate (2010) who found out that in spite of the establishment of state library boards and the considerable resources spent by state governments in Niger Delta, the awareness of library services is still low and libraries still remain inaccessible to the rural population in the area. In addition, the findings of this study on level of awareness also conform with that of Oghuvwu (2007) who reported that awareness of library services keep the users up-to-date, saves time, helps create new ideas, saves time and money spent on journals, and reduces paperwork but are lacking in the Nigerian library system. In addition, Ebiwolate (2010) reported where such services exist, little or nothing of the services are known to people in rural areas.

The Need for Public Library Extension Services

The findings of this study in respect to research question four showed that there is need for Public Library Extension Services in the study area as public libraries helps to create and stimulate desire for reading, convert non-readers into readers, help readers to make exploitation and promotion of collection of reading materials, turn the library to a social centre which encourages readings, create image of the library among the public and government, promote literacy campaign, enable the librarian to know his or her audience on a friendly and informal basis, inform readers of all the facilities offered by the library, help patrons to broaden their knowledge and satisfy one’s information needs and improve reading habits among others.

The findings of this study on the need for public library services is in line with the findings of the study of Babatunde (2005). Who assessed library outreach services in rural Nigeria and justified the need for library services to include: the spread of information guide people to sources of information and to agencies capable of handle problems or questions, libraries help in providing information and referral services in both rural and urban areas, stimulated reading interest, and have increased general awareness on health, nutrition, child care, family planning and that library generally have an important role in the advance of knowledge. Also in line with findings of this study, Iwhiwhu (2008) stated that public library services are needed for packaging and repacking of required information for Nigerians and that children need the library for lifelong education in consonance with the national education policy. The findings of Unagha (2008) also showed that teachers and students both come in contact with the world in libraries, that if we want children and all citizens, to acquire literacy, we must provide reading materials. Library services are essential to the educational, political, and social development of the rural population. The information gap between the urban and rural areas can be bridged by effective library services.

Challenges Confronting Public Library Extension Services

The findings of this study as regards to research question five showed that public library extension services in the study area are confronted with some challenges. Some of these challenges include: lack of adequate, up to date and relevant reading materials for public/general users, poor response from potential donors, poor training of library staff in new skills, unavailability of working tools like paper, catalogue cards, typewriters, vehicles, poor maintenance and renovation of existing buildings, inadequate furniture and lack of funds to buy adequate computers and other modem equipment such as (ICTs).

The above findings of this study on the challenges confronting public library extension services agreed with the result of the study of Ebiwolate (2010) who in a similar study found out that lack of physical infrastructure, lack of information and communication technologies (ICT), poor funding, illiteracy, language barriers, poverty in adequate human resources are some of the challenges ofpublic libraries in south-south geopolitical zone of the country. The findings of Kibat (2009) also showed that the major obstacles inhibiting efficient information services of libraries are poor communication infrastructure, widely- dispersed rural population, lack of ICTs that aid timely delivery of information, lack of vehicles, poor maintenance and renovation of existing buildings and lack of basic materials and equipments such as typewriters among others.

Strategies for Enhancing Public Library Extension Services

The findings of this study in respect to research question six revealed that certain strategies could be employed for enhancing the delivery of Public Library Extension Services in the two states. These strategies as found out in the study include: recruitment of qualified librarians for planning and implementation of public library programmes, awareness campaign by public librarians on the values of libraries especially how it contributes to the wellbeing of the individuals, urgent attention to be given to networking of libraries for resource sharing and avoiding duplication, creation of compatible computerized databases, formulation of preservation programmes for libraries which have rare books/manuscripts, increased awareness creation among users and library staff regarding the need for libraries and preservation of books, increased modernization and automation of libraries for easy accessibility to use, resource mobilization for development of libraries through different agencies involving industrial houses and extension of library services into rural areas.

The findings of this study on the strategies for enhancing public library services conform with the findings of Abdulkareem (2010) who reported that for Nigerian public libraries to meet up to the expectations as available in other countries of the world, there is need for the state government to provide all the necessary funds required for the smooth operation and provision of necessary services, that Nigerian libraries should be well equipped with the required books and non book materials by individual, government and international donors, that public libraries in Nigeria should move from the traditional library settings and provision of services to the digital library settings (e-library) through the use of ICTs in the provision of services and organization of their collections, that qualified and trained manpower in the library profession should be recruited with good salary and wage packages and that library personnel should be trained from time to time in order to keep abreast with the developmental change in the library profession in terms of knowledge and service delivery.

Implications of the Findings

From the findings of this study the following implications have emerged for Kogi and Benue State governments, most especially the States Library Boards It is expected that the findings of this study will serve to expose the States Library Boards to the level of availability of library services and resources in the areas, level of awareness of public library services, the justification for the need for public libraries, possible constraints or problems facing public library service delivery for possible solutions and amendments in the respective states. In addition, the findings of the study will also provide a good avenue to the administrators and the States Library Boards for recommendation of the possible strategies for enhancing the public library service delivery in the states.

If the public libraries in the states are well managed, the chance of success of the libraries in meeting its objectives of improving literacy and acquisition of relevant information in the States is very high. In order to achieve this, there is need for the governments of the two states to provide and maintain the basic infrastructural facilities, recruit competent personnel and provide opportunities for in-service training programmes that are geared towards improvement in effective management of the public libraries for better service delivery in the states. The findings of the study will enable library educators who impact library management skills to teach the required information management skills to prospective librarians in order to develop in them counter strategies which will positively address the constraints, and achieve the stated objectives of the public libraries in the states and Nigeria in general.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made:

a) Government should help ensure adequate funds and resource mobilization for the acquisition of information and communication materials for the provision of quality library services in both states.

b) There should be proactive awareness creation among the people about the major services render by public libraries in the two states.

c) Training and retraining of staff in ICT and related areas should be a continuous exercise in public libraries in the states.

d) The government should make a deliberate policy that ensures that public library services should be extended to both urban and rural areas with internet connectivity and facilities.

e) There should be effective networking of the libraries to the internet so that both the library staff and users can always have access to the internet within the library premises.

f) Above all the state governments should recognize the importance of public libraries to the society and should have total commitment to them by providing them with all the necessary assistance in terms of provision and maintenance of infrastructures,. recruitment of competent librarians and improved welfare package for effective public library service delivery in the states.

Limitation of the Study.

Study has the following limitations:

1) The researcher faced some difficulties in gaining access to some of the library to observe the availability of their resources. It took a lot of persuasion for the researcher to convince the management that the research is truly academic activities and that the data is purely for that purpose.

2) Out of the 271 copies of the questionnaire administered on the respondents (library users and staff), 258 copies were completely filled and retrieved which were consequently used for data analysis representing about 96% rate of return.

Suggestions for Further Study.

Based on the findings and limitations of the study, the researcher therefore suggests that further researches could be made to address the following areas:

1) Assessment of the services of the forms of libraries such as academic libraries, school libraries and the special libraries in Kogi and Benue States.

2) Assessment of public library extension services in other zones of the country such as south-east, south-west, south-south, north-east and north-west.

3) The identification of competencies required by librarians for effective management of public libraries in Kogi and Benue States.

Conclusion



This study investigated public library extension services in Kogi and Benue States with the aim of establishing the level of availability of the services and resources of public libraries in the area, also to find out level of awareness of the services, the need for the services by the people, the challenges confronting public libraries and strategies for enhancing the public library extension services in the area. The study found out that the level of availability of the service, resources and awareness of the public libraries in the two states are very low. In addition, the study also found out that there are needs for public library extension services in the area, that there are challenges confronting Public Library Extension Services in the two states and that there are strategies that could be employed for enhancing the Public Library Extension Services in the study area The study therefore concluded that the failure of public libraries in the study area may be due to the challenges such as poor infrastructure, inadequate funding, lack of qualified personnel and inadequate materials confronting public library services in the area.