The Roles of Public Libraries in Information Service Provision Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Kaduna State, Nigeria
The Roles of Public Libraries in Information Service Provision Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Kaduna State, Nigeria
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2021-01
Authors
Musa, Aminu Umar
Uman, Hassan
Mustapha, Mannir
Aliyu, Haidar Abubakar
Mohammad, Nasiru Umar
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Education & Science Journal of Policy Review and Curriculum Development
Abstract
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is explicitly and directly linked
to access to information and knowledge. This paper examines the roles of public libraries
towards achieving sustainable development goals in Kaduna state. Three objectives were
set out to be accomplished by the study. A survey research design was adopted using a
questionnaire as a data collection instrument. A total of 2903 registered users of public libraries in
the Kaduna State constituted the study population, while the study sample was collected using a
stratified sampling technique. A sample of 2038 was drawn from the user population of 2903,
where 30% out of the sample was drawn from the six (6) selected libraries, amounting to 611 for
questionnaire administration. A total of 433 (71%) questionnaires were duly completed and
returned. The findings arising from the study revealed that current awareness service, library
instruction services, selective dissemination of information as well as indexing and abstracting
were the services provided by the libraries covered by the study. The study also indicated that public
libraries are active in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Kaduna State. For
example, looking at the findings, Sustainable Development Goal 4: i.e. the provision of a safe and
inclusive space for lifelong learning was identified as the leading role played by the public libraries
covered by the study with 174 (40.2%) responses. SDGs 3: i.e. the provision of health information
and literacy to the community on pregnancy, malaria, cholera and SDGs 8: i.e. the provision of
training on the use of ICT as well as assistance on online job application processes, were also
identified in the study as fundamental roles played by the libraries with the same response rate of
146 (33.7%). While looking at the challenges faced by the public libraries, the study reported lack
of funds, lack of current materials, language barrier, lack of trained personnel and lack of Internet
access were complained by the respondents as a hindrance to effective use of information
resources. Given the above challenges, the study, therefore, recommended that issues relating to
funding, staffing, information resources, innovative services, infrastructure all need to be
addressed by taking proper measures. When these issues are resolved, it will go a long way towards
achieving the (SDGs) in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Description
Preprint Journal Articles
Keywords
Public Libraries,, Sustainable Development Goals,, Information Service,, Library services,, Information Service Providers,, Kaduna State,, NIGERIA.