Rural dwellers need timely, accurate, pertinent and reliable information for sustainable rural development. However, in Nigeria it is estimated that over 70% of people are living in rural areas who are mainly non-literate people who cannot read and write in any language. It is against this background that this article sought to investigate the forms of information sources and services utilised among rural dwellers from public libraries in the North-West zone of Nigeria to find out whether they are relevant and appropriate to the nature of this group of people.
The study aimed at investigating the forms of information sources and services utilised among rural dwellers from public libraries in the North-West zone of Nigeria for sustainable rural development.
Wilson’s 1981 model suggests that information-seeking behaviour arises as a result of a need perceived by an information user, who, in order to satisfy that need, makes demands upon formal or informal information sources and services. Hence, the model was adopted to underpin the current study. A structured questionnaire was designed and personally administered to the study participants. The quantitative data were analysed using the SPSS software and descriptive statistics.
Despite the fact that most of the rural dwellers in the North-West zone of Nigeria are non-literate people, it is evident from the results that there is utilisation of various forms of information sources and services from public libraries. The predominant forms of information sources utilised among rural dwellers from the libraries were printed materials, posters, flyers and audiovisuals. However, the forms of information services provided to rural dwellers by the libraries were traditional library services and awareness campaigns about government policies.
The study revealed that utilisation of public libraries’ information sources and services among rural dwellers in the area under study revolved around printed materials and traditional library services. It is evident that most of the library users among rural dwellers were those who were literate, as the non-literate people who were the majority did not patronise the libraries. Thus, this study will assist authorities of the public libraries in the area under study to provide relevant and effective information sources and services to rural dwellers for sustainable rural development.
Information is a vital tool for addressing societal challenges for sustainable development. Rural people need information for the development of their communities in various spheres of life (Momodu
Information sources serve as a means of disseminating or communicating information to rural dwellers. Thus, information sources or channels are considered the most important aspect of an information system in a society (Williamson
Therefore, the provision of effective information services is the main aim of public libraries in order to satisfy the information needs of their users. Provision of public library and information services entails acquiring, organising and making relevant information resources accessible through appropriate facilities and means best known to the users (Iwhiwhu & Okorodudu
Effective dissemination of information to rural dwellers requires the choice of appropriate information sources or channels. Chinwe, Ogbonna and Osuchukwu (
Furthermore, information sources facilitate the information-seeking activities of library users in seeking and satisfying their information needs from public libraries. Aina’s
The issues surrounding the utilisation of public libraries’ information sources and services among rural dwellers have attracted the attention of many scholars and writers around the world. For example, in the USA, Hildreth (
Information is needed by all and sundry in order to know what is going on in the society, to acquire basic needs of life, as well as to cope with every given situation (Nwalo & Madukoma
In Asia, research from Malaysia (Yusop et al.
In the Nigerian context, research carried out by Ape (
In Nigeria, research by Emmanuel (
As regards the information services, studies from Nigeria by Omopupa (
The above discussion, indicates that there is an existing knowledge gap in the literature, as it is silent on the situation on utilisation of public libraries’ information sources and services among rural dwellers in the North-West zone of Nigeria. This is what this study seeks to address through empirical investigation.
Wilson’s 1981 model of information behaviour was adopted to explain the forms of information sources and services utilised among rural dwellers from public libraries in the area under study.
Wilson’s (
Accordingly, the following research questions were addressed:
What are the information needs of rural dwellers in the North-West zone of Nigeria?
To what extent are information sources and services utilised among rural dwellers from public libraries in the North-West zone of Nigeria?
What forms of information sources and services are utilised among rural dwellers from public libraries in the North-West zone of Nigeria?
The study was carried out in 52 functional branch or public libraries in local government areas in the zone under study. These libraries were established to cater for the information needs of rural communities. Thus, they are controlled by the public library boards of Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi and Zamfara states. A survey research method was used to carry out this study. The study population comprised two groups of participants. The first group of participants involved 10 574 registered library users (aged 18 years and above), which included both literate and illiterate people. The second group comprised 52 heads of the branch libraries. The total population for each of the two groups in each of the five states is presented in
Population of the study.
S/N | Total number of states in the North-West zone of Nigeria | Total number of heads of functional branch public libraries | Total number of registered library users |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Kaduna State | 9 | 950 |
2 | Kano State | The branch public libraries in this state were shut down for renovation and general reorganisation. | The branch public libraries in this state were shut down for renovation and general reorganisation. |
3 | Sokoto State | The branch public libraries in this state were yet to be operational. | The branch public libraries in this state were yet to be operational. |
4 | Katsina State | 22 | 1113 |
5 | Jigawa State | 14 | 3037 |
6 | Kebbi State | 5 | 2456 |
7 | Zamfara State | 2 | 3018 |
S/N, serial number.
For the sample size, all the 52 heads of functional branch or public libraries in the local government across the study area were recruited automatically (because their population was small). A sample of 370 participants were also recruited from the 10 574 registered library users, using Krejcie and Morgan’s (
To ensure proportional representativeness in the sample size, a proportionate random sampling technique (criteria) was used to recruit the 370 participants. This technique was chosen in order to ensure that the researcher does not leave the representativeness of the sample entirely to chance as suggested by Abbas (
Where:
N = Number (population from each state)
S = Sample (total sample size)
TP = Total population.
Thus, the sample size for the library users in each of the five states under study is proportionately calculated as follows (see
Sample size of the study: Proportionate sample from each state under study.
S/N | Participants | Kaduna | Katsina | Jigawa | Kebbi | Zamfara | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Heads of public libraries in the local government areas | 9 | 22 | 14 | 5 | 2 | |
2 | Library users | 33 | 39 | 106 | 85 | 107 | |
S/N, serial number.
Two sets of questionnaires were designed to collect data from both groups of participants and a Likert scale technique was used. The participants were presented with a range of answer options to indicate whether they strongly agreed, agreed, disagreed, strongly disagreed or were not sure about each item question. The questionnaire for the library users was also translated into Hausa for non-literate library users. Hausa is the common language spoken across the zone under study. The questionnaires were administered personally by the researcher with the help of research assistants. The English version questionnaire was self-completed, while the translated questionnaire was interviewer-completed. In essence, it was read out to the non-literate participants at the site of data collection for their effective responses. The research assistants were trained on how to administer both the English version and Hausa-translated questionnaires. Thus, the questionnaires were designed to collect data on information needs of rural dwellers, information sources and services utilised among the library users as rural dwellers. The responses to each of the items on the questionnaires are presented and analysed in tables of frequencies and percentages using SPSS software and descriptive statistics.
As regards the ethical considerations, the ethical requirements of the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee of the University of KwaZulu-Natal were strictly adhered to. During the data collection process the researcher, who is versed in Hausa language explained the main purpose of the study to the participants for clarification. This was done to reassure them of total confidentiality and develop trust. They were assured that the information elicited from them would be used strictly for academic purposes. Informed consent forms were introduced to the participants in order to obtain their consent for participation in the study. This was also done to assure them of their anonymity and their rights to withdraw from the research at any time without any consequences.
A total of 332 and 51 questionnaires were duly completed and retrieved from the library users and heads of branch libraries, respectively, with a response rate of 89.7% and 98.1%. This was achieved as a result of the strong follow-ups as well as the employment of research assistants in the administration and retrieval of the research instruments.
The findings of this study reveal that men dominated the study population more than women. This indicates that there were more men involved in the utilisation of public library services in the area under study. Only three (5.9%) of the heads of branch libraries were women, while 48 (94.1%) heads were men. As regards the users, 238 (71.7%) were men and 94 (28.3%) were women. This development can basically be attributed to the religious and cultural restrictions on women in this geo-political zone. The study also found that the common age among the heads of the branch libraries was generally 45 years and above, with a few below 45 years. Thus, the majority of the heads of branch libraries were mature, middle-aged people. The most common age group of the library users ranged from 18 to 27 years and from 28 to 37 years. Most of the library users were younger people, meaning that young people have the ability to access and utilise information sources and services from public libraries. Another factor is that this is the stage where young people strive to self-actualise themselves for sustainable rural development.
From
Distribution of the participants by their highest educational qualifications.
Educational qualification | Heads of branch libraries |
Library users |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Frequency | % | Frequency | % | |
No formal schooling | - | - | 7 | 2.1 |
Non-formal Islamic education | - | - | 22 | 6.6 |
Elementary | - | - | 6 | 1.8 |
O level | - | - | 59 | 17.8 |
Certificate | 13 | 25.5 | 31 | 9.3 |
Diploma/NCE | 33 | 64.7 | 93 | 28.0 |
Degree/HND | 5 | 9.8 | 108 | 32.5 |
Master’s degree | - | - | 6 | 1.8 |
NCE, Nigerian Certificate in Education; HND, Higher National Diploma.
With regard to the classifications of the library users, opinions of the heads of branch libraries were solicited and are presented in
Opinions of the heads of branch libraries on the classification of the library users (
Classification of the library users | SA |
A |
D |
SD |
UD |
Mean | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | ||
Students | 39 | 76.5 | 10 | 19.6 | - | - | 1 | 2.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 4.7 |
Subsistence farmers | 13 | 25.5 | 24 | 47.1 | 4 | 7.8 | 6 | 11.8 | 4 | 7.8 | 3.7 |
Large-scale farmers | 10 | 19.6 | 18 | 35.3 | 6 | 11.8 | 6 | 11.8 | 11 | 21.6 | 3.2 |
Artisans | 3 | 5.9 | 16 | 31.4 | 4 | 7.8 | 18 | 35.3 | 10 | 19.6 | 2.7 |
Civil servants | 28 | 54.9 | 22 | 43.1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2.0 | 4.5 |
Literate people | 30 | 58.8 | 15 | 29.4 | 2 | 3.9 | 1 | 2.0 | 3 | 5.9 | 4.3 |
Non-literate people | 2 | 3.9 | 19 | 37.3 | 6 | 11.8 | 19 | 37.3 | 5 | 9.8 | 2.9 |
People living in terrain areas | 3 | 5.9 | 14 | 27.5 | 7 | 13.7 | 21 | 41.2 | 6 | 11.8 | 2.7 |
Adults | 34 | 66.7 | 15 | 29.4 | 1 | 2.0 | - | - | 1 | 2.0 | 4.6 |
Children | 28 | 54.9 | 19 | 37.3 | - | - | 2 | 3.9 | 2 | 3.9 | 4.4 |
Housewives | 15 | 29.4 | 14 | 27.5 | 3 | 5.9 | 14 | 27.5 | 5 | 9.8 | 3.4 |
Unemployed | 23 | 45.1 | 15 | 29.4 | 1 | 2.0 | 7 | 13.7 | 5 | 9.8 | 3.9 |
Others (teachers, nurses and researchers) | 2 | 3.9 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 5.9 | 46 | 90.2 | 1.2 |
SA, strongly agree; A, agree; D, disagree; SD, strongly disagree; UD, undecided; F, frequency.
However, the study found that other categories of persons like non-literate people, artisans and people living in terrain areas virtually did not patronise the library services at all, as indicated by a very small number of the heads of branch libraries. This indicates that the forms of information sources and services available in the libraries are not relevant to these categories of persons, which is a challenge to the libraries under study.
Among the information needs enquired about were agriculture, health, economy, government policies, education, culture and recreation, and rural development. The opinions of the heads of branch libraries were solicited and scored on a five-point scale (see
Opinions of the heads of branch libraries on agricultural information needs of rural dwellers (
Agricultural information needs | SA |
A |
D |
SD |
UD |
Mean | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | ||
Inputs (fertiliser, seeds, pesticide, vaccines, feeds, housing, vitamins and minerals) | 39 | 76.5 | 10 | 19.6 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3.9 | 4.6 |
Farm implements (plough, harrow and cultivators) | 31 | 60.8 | 18 | 35.3 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3.9 | 4.5 |
Tractors | 30 | 58.8 | 13 | 25.5 | - | - | 4 | 7.8 | 4 | 7.8 | 4.2 |
Machineries (thrasher, winnower and harvester) | 24 | 47.1 | 20 | 39.2 | 2 | 3.9 | 1 | 2.0 | 4 | 7.8 | 4.2 |
Farming techniques | 28 | 54.9 | 14 | 27.5 | 3 | 5.9 | 2 | 3.9 | 4 | 7.8 | 4.2 |
Agricultural loans and credits | 27 | 52.9 | 16 | 31.4 | - | - | 3 | 5.9 | 5 | 9.8 | 4.1 |
Marketing | 26 | 51.0 | 14 | 27.5 | - | - | 2 | 3.9 | 9 | 17.6 | 3.9 |
Others | 4 | 7.8 | 4 | 7.8 | - | - | - | - | 43 | 84.3 | 1.5 |
SA, strongly agree; A, agree; D, disagree; SD, strongly disagree; UD, undecided; F, frequency.
With regard to health information needs,
Opinions of the heads of branch libraries on health information needs of the rural dwellers (
Health information (heads of branch libraries) | SA |
A |
D |
SD |
UD |
Mean | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | ||
Infectious diseases (HIV and AIDS, TB, hepatitis, malaria, influenza and diarrhoea) | 35 | 68.6 | 10 | 19.6 | 2 | 3.9 | 1 | 2.0 | 3 | 5.9 | 4.4 |
Maternal and child healthcare | 28 | 54.9 | 19 | 37.3 | - | - | 1 | 2.0 | 3 | 5.9 | 4.3 |
Routine immunisation | 30 | 58.8 | 17 | 33.3 | 1 | 2.0 | - | - | 3 | 5.9 | 4.4 |
Nutrition | 25 | 49.0 | 14 | 27.5 | 2 | 3.9 | 6 | 11.8 | 4 | 7.8 | 4.0 |
Family planning | 19 | 37.3 | 18 | 35.3 | 4 | 7.8 | 4 | 7.8 | 6 | 11.8 | 3.8 |
Disease/epidemic outbreaks | 18 | 35.3 | 24 | 47.1 | 2 | 3.9 | 3 | 5.9 | 4 | 7.8 | 4.0 |
Environmental sanitation | 24 | 47.1 | 18 | 35.3 | - | - | 2 | 3.9 | 7 | 13.7 | 4.0 |
Others | 2 | 3.9 | 1 | 2.0 | - | - | 1 | 2.0 | 47 | 92.2 | 1.2 |
SA, strongly agree; A, agree; D, disagree; SD, strongly disagree; UD, undecided; F, frequency.
Opinions of the heads of branch libraries on information needs of the rural dwellers on government policies (
Government policies as information needs | SA |
A |
D |
SD |
UD |
Mean | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | ||
Governance | 30 | 58.8 | 16 | 31.4 | - | - | 2 | 3.9 | 3 | 5.9 | 4.3 |
Elections and voters’ registration | 18 | 35.3 | 29 | 56.9 | - | - | 1 | 2.0 | 3 | 5.9 | 4.1 |
Population census | 22 | 43.1 | 21 | 41.2 | 1 | 2.0 | 2 | 3.9 | 5 | 9.8 | 4.0 |
Afforestation | 17 | 33.3 | 22 | 43.1 | 2 | 3.9 | 4 | 7.8 | 6 | 11.8 | 3.8 |
Deforestation | 14 | 27.5 | 23 | 45.1 | 3 | 5.9 | 7 | 13.7 | 4 | 7.8 | 3.7 |
Skills acquisition | 18 | 35.3 | 20 | 39.2 | - | - | 4 | 7.8 | 9 | 17.6 | 3.7 |
Government programmes (rural development) | 21 | 41.2 | 21 | 41.2 | 1 | 2.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 7 | 13.7 | 3.9 |
Others | 1 | 2.0 | 2 | 3.9 | - | - | - | - | 48 | 94.1 | 1.2 |
SA, strongly agree; A, agree; D, disagree; SD, strongly disagree; UD, undecided; F, frequency.
As shown in
Opinions of the heads of branch libraries on economic information needs of the rural dwellers (
Economic information needs | SA |
A |
D |
SD |
UD |
Mean | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | ||
Micro-credit loans and finance | 30 | 58.8 | 16 | 31.4 | - | - | 1 | 2.0 | 4 | 7.8 | 4.3 |
Business/entrepreneurial skills | 26 | 51.0 | 18 | 35.3 | 1 | 2.0 | 2 | 3.9 | 4 | 7.8 | 4.2 |
Youth and women empowerment | 32 | 62.7 | 17 | 33.3 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3.9 | 4.5 |
Employment opportunities | 29 | 56.9 | 14 | 27.5 | 3 | 5.9 | 2 | 3.9 | 3 | 5.9 | 4.3 |
Others | 6 | 11.8 | 1 | 2.0 | - | - | - | - | 44 | 86.3 | 1.5 |
SA, strongly agree; A, agree; D, disagree; SD, strongly disagree; UD, undecided; F, frequency.
Opinions of the heads of branch libraries on educational information needs of the rural dwellers (
Educational information needs | SA |
A |
D |
SD |
UD |
Mean | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | ||
Tertiary education | 31 | 60.8 | 15 | 29.4 | 1 | 2.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 3 | 5.9 | 4.4 |
Secondary education | 29 | 56.9 | 17 | 33.3 | 2 | 3.9 | - | - | 3 | 5.9 | 4.4 |
Universal basic education (UBE) | 32 | 62.7 | 14 | 27.5 | 1 | 2.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 3 | 5.9 | 4.4 |
Adult education | 28 | 54.9 | 17 | 33.3 | 2 | 3.9 | 1 | 2.0 | 3 | 5.9 | 4.3 |
Girl-child education | 25 | 49.0 | 20 | 39.2 | 1 | 2.0 | - | - | 5 | 9.8 | 4.2 |
Nomadic education | 21 | 41.2 | 22 | 43.1 | 3 | 5.9 | 1 | 2.0 | 4 | 7.8 | 4.1 |
Others | 3 | 5.9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 48 | 94.1 | 1.2 |
SA, strongly agree; A, agree; D, disagree; SD, strongly disagree; UD, undecided; F, frequency.
Opinions of the heads of branch libraries on culture and recreational information needs of the rural dwellers (
Information needs on culture and recreation | SA |
A |
D |
SD |
UD |
Mean | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | ||
Cultural festivals | 18 | 35.3 | 24 | 47.1 | 2 | 3.9 | 4 | 7.8 | 3 | 5.9 | 4.0 |
Tourism | 11 | 21.6 | 26 | 51.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 9 | 17.6 | 4 | 7.8 | 3.6 |
Documentaries | 11 | 21.6 | 27 | 52.9 | 2 | 3.9 | 4 | 7.8 | 7 | 13.7 | 3.6 |
Entertainment | 12 | 23.5 | 25 | 49.0 | 2 | 3.9 | 9 | 17.6 | 3 | 5.9 | 3.7 |
Others | 2 | 3.9 | 1 | 2.0 | 1 | 2.0 | - | - | 47 | 92.2 | 1.3 |
SA, strongly agree; A, agree; D, disagree; SD, strongly disagree; UD, undecided; F, frequency.
Opinions of the heads of branch libraries on the information needs of the rural dwellers on rural development programmes (
Information needs on rural development | SA |
A |
D |
SD |
UD |
Mean | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | ||
Potable water | 35 | 68.6 | 9 | 17.6 | 4 | 7.8 | - | - | 3 | 5.9 | 4.4 |
Rural electricity | 29 | 56.9 | 15 | 29.4 | 2 | 3.9 | 2 | 3.9 | 3 | 5.9 | 4.3 |
Food security | 27 | 52.9 | 18 | 35.3 | 2 | 3.9 | 2 | 3.9 | 2 | 3.9 | 4.3 |
Mode of transport (bus, car, vans, lorries, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.) | 24 | 47.1 | 23 | 45.1 | 3 | 5.9 | - | - | 1 | 2.0 | 4.4 |
Accessible road | 19 | 37.3 | 24 | 47.1 | 4 | 7.8 | 1 | 2.0 | 3 | 5.9 | 4.1 |
Housing | 17 | 33.3 | 18 | 35.3 | 5 | 9.8 | 5 | 9.8 | 6 | 11.8 | 3.7 |
Others | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2.0 | - | - | 50 | 98.0 | 1.0 |
SA, strongly agree; A, agree; D, disagree; SD, strongly disagree; UD, undecided; F, frequency.
Opinions of the library users as rural dwellers were solicited on the extent to which the information sources and services were utilised from public libraries in the North-West zone of Nigeria.
Opinions of the library users on the extent of utilisation of information sources and services among rural dwellers from the libraries (
S/N | To what extent do you use the information sources and services in the library? | Frequency | % |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Monthly | 75 | 22.6 |
2 | Bi-monthly | 64 | 19.28 |
3 | Weekly | 88 | 26.5 |
4 | Daily | 105 | 31.6 |
5 | Others | Nil | Nil |
S/N, serial number.
Opinions about the information sources and services available from public libraries were solicited from the library users and heads of the branch libraries.
Opinions of the library users on the forms of information sources utilised among rural dwellers from public libraries (
Information sources utilised among the rural dwellers | SA |
A |
D |
SD |
UD |
Mean | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | ||
Printed materials (books, journals, newspapers and magazines) | 186 | 56.0 | 79 | 23.8 | 26 | 7.8 | 14 | 4.2 | 27 | 8.1 | 4.2 |
Town criers as a source from the library | 37 | 11.1 | 55 | 16.6 | 108 | 32.5 | 107 | 32.2 | 25 | 7.5 | 2.9 |
Gatekeepers as a source from the library | 38 | 11.4 | 26 | 7.8 | 73 | 22.0 | 162 | 48.8 | 33 | 9.9 | 2.6 |
Extension workers (VEWs and CHEWs) as a source from the library | 31 | 9.3 | 51 | 15.4 | 67 | 20.2 | 149 | 44.9 | 34 | 10.2 | 2.7 |
Viewing centres | 41 | 12.3 | 81 | 24.4 | 61 | 18.4 | 125 | 37.7 | 24 | 7.2 | 3.0 |
Community information resource centres | 46 | 13.9 | 59 | 17.8 | 74 | 22.3 | 127 | 38.3 | 26 | 7.8 | 2.9 |
Audiovisuals | 79 | 23.8 | 108 | 32.5 | 38 | 11.4 | 81 | 24.4 | 26 | 7.8 | 3.4 |
Posters and fliers | 74 | 22.3 | 139 | 41.9 | 32 | 9.6 | 61 | 18.4 | 26 | 7.8 | 3.5 |
ICTs (e.g. computers and Internet facility) | 43 | 13.0 | 58 | 17.5 | 43 | 13.0 | 112 | 33.7 | 76 | 22.9 | 2.6 |
Others | 67 | 20.2 | 44 | 13.3 | 12 | 3.6 | 15 | 4.5 | 194 | 58.4 | 2.3 |
SA, strongly agree; A, agree; D, disagree; SD, strongly disagree; UD, undecided; F, frequency, VEWs, village extension workers; CHEWs, community health extension workers; ICTs, information and communication technologies.
It is clear from the responses in
However, participant responses show that a total of 70.8% (73; 22.0% and 162; 48.8%) of the library users strongly disagreed and disagreed, respectively, that they utilised gatekeepers as information sources from the libraries (
The total frequencies and percentages indicate that the library users did not utilise viewing centres as information sources from the libraries (
Opinions of the heads of branch libraries on the forms of information services provided by public libraries to rural dwellers (
Does your library provide these services to rural dwellers? | SA |
A |
D |
SD |
UD |
Mean | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | ||
Traditional services (reference services, circulation services, lending services, serial services, children services, etc.) | 36 | 70.6 | 10 | 19.6 | 2 | 3.9 | 2 | 3.9 | 1 | 2.0 | 4.5 |
Mobile library services | 2 | 3.9 | 4 | 7.8 | 23 | 45.1 | 19 | 37.3 | 3 | 5.9 | 2.7 |
Information repackaging | 3 | 5.9 | 9 | 17.6 | 20 | 39.2 | 14 | 27.5 | 5 | 9.8 | 2.8 |
Awareness campaigns on government policies | 8 | 15.7 | 19 | 37.3 | 12 | 23.5 | 9 | 17.6 | 3 | 5.9 | 3.4 |
Translation services | 5 | 9.8 | 8 | 15.7 | 24 | 47.1 | 9 | 17.6 | 5 | 9.8 | 3.0 |
Organising meetings, workshops, seminars, and exhibitions for rural dwellers to enhance their living conditions | 10 | 19.6 | 12 | 23.5 | 14 | 27.5 | 11 | 21.6 | 4 | 7.8 | 3.3 |
Adult literacy programmes | 8 | 15.7 | 16 | 31.4 | 16 | 31.4 | 9 | 17.6 | 2 | 3.9 | 3.4 |
Others | - | - | 2 | 3.9 | - | - | - | - | 49 | 96.1 | 1.1 |
SA, strongly agree; A, agree; D, disagree; SD, strongly disagree; UD, undecided; F, frequency.
From
However, the heads of branch libraries revealed that mobile library services and information repackaging were not provided by the libraries to rural dwellers (
Ethical clearance was obtained from the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Reference number: HSS/0808/017D).
Generally, from the expressed opinions of the heads of branch libraries, it is clear that the rural dwellers were in need of information for sustainable rural development, especially on agriculture, education, economy, government policies, health-related issues, culture and recreation, as well as rural development. Public libraries are therefore expected to provide relevant and effective information resources and services that can meet the information needs of rural dwellers in these areas for sustainable rural development. These findings were consistent with those of Ape (
From the findings of this study, it is evident that the forms of information sources utilised among the rural dwellers from the libraries were mainly printed materials, such as books, journals, newspapers and magazines. This confirms the reason why the majority of people who patronised the libraries were relatively literate people among the rural dwellers. It also confirms the reason why the libraries were patronised by few non-literate people (as shown in
Notable from the findings also was the unavailability of other formal places like community information resource centres and viewing centres. As suggested by Aina (
In Nigeria, studies by Omopupa (
The current study found that the predominant information services provided by public libraries to rural dwellers in the North-West zone of Nigeria were traditional services, which included reference services, circulation services, lending services, serials services and services for children, as well as awareness campaigns on government policies, as confirmed by the majority of heads of branch libraries. These findings concurred with those of Ngcobo (
However, based on the findings of this study, it can be said that the libraries under study did not provide adult literacy programmes; neither did they organise meetings, workshops, seminars and exhibitions nor did they provide translation services or mobile library services and information repackaging to rural dwellers. These are the kinds of information services that public libraries should provide in rural communities, as suggested by many studies such as those of Iwe (
Public libraries should be adequately funded to provide sufficient and relevant information sources, particularly the oral information sources that are more familiar to non-literate rural dwellers for sustainable rural development.
Innovative services which are unique to the information needs of rural dwellers should be provided by the libraries. Services such as organising meetings, lectures, seminars or workshops, translation services, information repackaging, mobile library services as well as adult and information literacy programmes should be provided by public libraries for sustainable rural development.
Community information resource centres and viewing centres should be established in rural communities to provide relevant information sources and services to rural dwellers in various formats and languages they understand, as suggested by Aina (
This study provided an insight that most of the rural dwellers who utilised the information sources and services were literate people, as the majority of non-literate people did not patronise the libraries under study (as shown in
With the exception of awareness campaigns on government policies, the information services provided were more or less traditional library services, such as reference, lending and circulation services and services for children, which were only relevant to literate persons. In a typical rural setting where non-literate people are the majority (Aina
The authors wish to acknowledge the support of and sponsorship from the authorities of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, Nigeria. They appreciate the contributions of Dr Rosemary Kuhn of Cecil Renaud Library, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus, South Africa. They would like to thank the authorities of public libraries studied for granting them the permission to carry out the study and the participants for participating in the study.
The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationship(s) which may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the institutions (funders).
B.B.M. was the research leader and participated in designing the research questions, methodology used, literature review, data collection, codification and analysis, and writing of the manuscript. F.G. participated in designing the research question, literature review, methodology used, data analysis and manuscript editing.