The governance and management of public library services in Nigeria
| Published date | 13 August 2018 |
| Pages | 389-401 |
| Date | 13 August 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-08-2017-0075 |
| Author | Abdulsalam Abiodun Salman,Janneke Mostert,Tinashe Mugwisi |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion |
The governance and management
of public library services
in Nigeria
Abdulsalam Abiodun Salman and Janneke Mostert
Department of Information Studies,
Faculty of Arts, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa, and
Tinashe Mugwisi
Department of Information Science, UNISA, Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore the managerial and governance issues that impact on
service delivery in public libraries in Nigeria. Within many countries this seems to be a challenge often
resulting in an ineffective service delivery resulting in underutilisation thereof. This study was conducted
among administrators and managers of public libraries in Nigeria to establish the current status quo
concerning governance and management issues impacting on service delivery.
Design/methodology/approach –A qualitative study using interviews was used to illicit data from three
permanent secretaries, six public library directors, and six heads of rural community libraries, purposively
selected for the study.
Findings –The findings show that variables such as relevant academic qualifications, years of experience,
and designation of the administrators and managers of public libraries affect service delivery. A huge
dependency on government bodies for decision making and funding was established. Impediments to good
management of the libraries were found to be inadequate funding; lack of involvement of stakeholders in
public library administration; and inappropriate public library legislation.
Practical implications –The study recommends the promulgation of a public library-specific act in order
to regulate the administration and management of this public unit, involve stakeholders in public library
administration, as well as the provision of alternative forms of funding in order to alleviate the dependence on
governmental budgets.
Originality/value –With very little research available on these issues in Nigeria, this paper will create
awareness among all stakeholders of specific governance and managerial issues impacting on effective
service delivery to public library users so that it can be addressed.
Keywords Governance, Nigeria, Provision of public library services, Public library administration,
Public library management, Public library services
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction and background
Public libraries are public organisations which are governed by the state since they are
established and maintained with public funds and taxpayers’money. The delivery of public
library services as a governmental activity requires efficient legislation and policies, and a
managementstructure that is responsiveboth in terms of the implementation of thelegislation
and policies, and also in satisfying the needs of the people to whom services are delivered.
Service delivery takes place through an organised process which cannot be achieved
without adequate governance and management structures in place, as the ability to deliver
the expected public services at grassroots level requires commitment and efficiency in the
capabilities of both the authority and the institution (Islam and Mezbah-ul-Islam, 2010).
Foo et al. (2015) posit that service delivery is gauged by the performance of policymakers
and managers. For an organisation to deliver the expected services to the populace
resources must be available. However, these are in many cases in short supply and must be
shared among competing organisations. In acquiring these scarce resources, organisations
must demonstrate value by realising cost efficiency in the process of delivering high quality,
useful products and services (The World Meteorological Organisation, n.d.). Therefore, if
Library Management
Vol. 39 No. 6/7, 2018
pp. 389-401
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-08-2017-0075
Received 11 August 2017
Revised 11 August 2017
Accepted 10 April 2018
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
389
Public library
services in
Nigeria
To continue reading
Request your trial