An assessment of rural libraries and information services for rural development. A study of Delta State, Nigeria
| Pages | 445-471 |
| Date | 05 June 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-08-2015-0145 |
| Published date | 05 June 2017 |
| Author | Saturday U. Omeluzor,Gloria O. Oyovwe-Tinuoye,Uche Emeka-Ukwu |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
An assessment of rural libraries
and information services for
rural development
A study of Delta State, Nigeria
Saturday U. Omeluzor, Gloria O. Oyovwe-Tinuoye and
Uche Emeka-Ukwu
Department of Library, Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun,
Warri, Nigeria
Abstract
Purpose –This study aimed to assess the rural libraries and information services for rural development in
Delta State, Nigeria.
Design methodology/approach –The study adopted both descriptive and exploratory research
designs. Questionnaire, observation and structured interview guide were the major instruments for data
collection. Total enumeration was used to gather data from respondents in 16 functional rural libraries in Delta
State.
Findings –The study revealed the challenges that surround the rural people in accessing information in
rural libraries. It showed that only 16 rural libraries were established and functional in 16 communities within
the 25 local government areas. Findings also showed that the rural libraries were not able to full their roles.
It was evident that the information needs of the rural people which made them to access the library were not
adequately met because of some hindrances such as inadequate up-to-date information materials, lack of
awareness, illiteracy, language barrier, inadequate skilled personnel and inadequate infrastructure and
facilities.
Practical implications –The important nding in this study is that rural libraries are the most relevant
institution to disseminate information about government policies, inculcating reading habits and developing
skill and knowledge of people. Therefore, underdevelopment of rural libraries and inadequate information
sources and facilities will hinder access to information and development of the people who need them.
Originality value –This research is the rst of its kind to assess rural libraries and information services
for the development of rural people in the 16 rural libraries in Delta State of Nigeria.
Keywords Nigeria, Information provision, Delta state, Rural development, Information access,
Information services, Public rural libraries, rural libraries assessement, Rural people
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Over the years, libraries have evolved from traditional repositories of knowledge to centres
of academic activity cutting across learning, teaching, research, and community service.
Irrespective of type and location, libraries are gateways to quality information (Anasi, 2010).
Häggström (2004) stated that the library is the local gateway to information that provides
basic conditions for lifelong learning, independent decision-making and cultural
development of individuals and social groups. The library’s mandate is to acquire, process,
repackage, preserve, disseminate and provide access to information in all areas of human
endeavour. According to Omeluzor et al. (2013), the library is a place for knowledge creation
and sharing. It is a storehouse for knowledge in different formats (print and non-print) and a
major provider of information services. The library is an institution for organizing and
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Rural libraries
and
information
services
445
Received 12 August 2015
Revised 2 December 2015
31 March 2016
6 June 2016
31 August 2016
Accepted 18 October 2016
TheElectronic Library
Vol.35 No. 3, 2017
pp.445-471
©Emerald Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/EL-08-2015-0145
conserving human knowledge and is placed at the service of the community without
distinction of profession, creed, class or race (Ejedaru, 2015).
The library is especially useful for the development of rural and urban youth. If youths
take to reading, they will be more able to refrain from problematic habits, such as loitering,
stealing, smoking and gambling. Slowik (2012) stresses that smoking can be stopped by
reading literature that educate on its dangers. Madukoma and Haliso (2011, p. 9) averred that
“library information sources and services are essential to the modern correctional objectives
of reformation and rehabilitation of the juvenile in remand home”.
The fundamental purpose of libraries, regardless of type, is to provide timely, accurate
and reliable information to its users. Librarians who are trained to manage library resources
are duty bound to provide access to information to satisfy the needs of library users.
The establishment of libraries in Nigeria dates back to 1900 when the High Court Library
was developed in Lagos (Okiy, 2008). Since then, many libraries have been established across
Nigeria. However, observation showed that the establishment of libraries across Nigeria is
predominantly in urban areas, especially in academic and research institutions. This has
unfortunately resulted in a high level of illiteracy and ignorance among the rural people of
Nigeria (Ukachi, 2007;Zaid and Popoola, 2010). Uzoigwe (2014) believes that the
establishment of libraries in rural areas will make society a more literate one and will speed
up development because literacy is a catalyst for the development of any society. The rural
library, therefore, is strategic in extending public services to residents that may be hard to
reach by other means (Swan et al., 2013). Rural libraries act as the information and
community centre for the provision of adequate and relevant information materials on issues
affecting rural dwellers, such as child birth, birth control, juvenile health, illiteracy and
government decisions. Effective rural libraries will help to improve the living conditions and
quality of life of rural people. A report on older rural people by Ritters and Davis (2008)
indicated that access to information and advice is key for local people to maintain active and
independent lives.
Access to information is also crucial in making people know their entitlements to welfare
benets and sources of support to overcome social exclusion. According to Ebiwolate (2010),
effective library and information services in rural areas can enhance development and
improve quality of education in rural communities. Anafulu (1997, n.d.), while highlighting
the importance of the library at the meeting of the Committee of University Librarians of
Nigerian Universities, stated that “if we had no laboratories and workshops, the enterprise of
learning would continue so long as we have well-stocked and organized libraries manned by
professional librarians”. The development of rural libraries in Nigeria is a panacea for
growth and development of rural people (Momodu, 2002;Ugwoke, 2014). Unfortunately, a
number of impediments hinder adequate library services in rural areas. In Nigeria, a majority
of the population resides in rural and remote areas that are only accessible with motorcycles,
tricycles (commonly known as “Keke”), boats and bicycles. Some of these remote areas do not
have libraries available and hence people lack the information to improve their lives.
Considering the challenges faced by rural communities, Okiy’s (2003) study on
information for rural development, challenge for Nigerian rural public libraries
recommended the identication of the information needs of the rural dwellers and the
provision of innovative rural public library services. Similarly, Ifukor (2011) embarked on a
study on the information needs of rural women in the Ndokwa area of the Delta North
Senatorial area of Nigeria. The study recommended that community information centres
(libraries) should be established to meet the information needs of rural women. Based on the
information presented in the literature, this study sets out to assess the establishment and the
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