Re-structure Public Library for Public Information Needs and Services. Study of Stella Obasanjo Library, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Re-structure of public library is essential when its present state cannot meet the standard and objectives upon which it is been established. The purpose of the study is to know the extent of services rendered, state of information needs met and level of information resources available in Stella Obasanjo Library, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted. Instruments of data collection are questionnaire and personal interview. Questionnaire contains Table 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 which were designed to obtain data from both library staff and library users. Eight (8) library staff answered questions in table 1: services rendered in their public library while, forty-seven (47) library users responded in answering questions in Table 2: types of information needs; Table 3: information resources needed; Table 4: available of information needed; Table 5: available of information resources needed. Data were analyzed in Table 1 by the use of criterion mean where ≥ 2.50 and < 2.50 are considered significant (considerable response) and not significant (inconsiderable response) respectively. Analysis shows that it is only leisure and recreation, and reading services are rendered to great extent, others are low extent except service with disadvantage groups that is rendered at no extent. Simple percentage was used to analyze Table 2, 3, 4, and 5 where above 50% and below 50% are considered agreed and disagreed respectively. Analysis shows in Table 2 that information needs of library users cut across agriculture, sports and games, health, property, politics, social, business, education, geographical and religion. On Table 3 it was discovered that information resources needed by library users includes all the itemized resources except audio and video conferencing, as well as audio cassette. From Table 4 it was discovered that 93.6% of library users do not have their information needs while, 6.4% did. Furthermore, in Table 5 it was discovered 80.9% of information resources needed by library users are not available while, 19.1% is available. Hence, from the data analyzed, the public library understudy need to be re-structured and the proffered recommendations will be of significant if adherent to.