Concept of Public Libraries
The concept of public libraries is the same all over the world as
the library which carters for the whole public. Ikokoh (2003) asserts
the public as a library provided wholly or partly from public funds and
the use of which is not restricted to any class or persons in the
community, but it is freely available to all. From the observation made
by Ikokoh, it is clear to see that the public library is fully created
with the public in mind, as it is not restricted to particular
persons. Its doors are opened to children, adults, disabled and even the
illiterate ones with the sole aim of providing the community with
their information needs which will thereby enhance the level of their
education.
Types of Public Library Services
The public library, as seen earlier, deals solely with the
public. Therefore, there is bound to be different needs by different
individuals. It opens its doors to everybody in the community and also
renders a variety of services some of which are as follows.
Naustion (1984) asserts that illiteracy has been regarded as an
enemy and evil which keeps people in darkness, bound to their tradition
and superstitions it makes people resistant to change and new ideas
and therefore isolated from progress. From this observation, it is
clear to see that reading habit is not in the culture and nature of
Nigerians, therefore, the public libraries offers various services that
will r each to the public no matter where they are and also give them
much interest in reading and research.
Ikokoh (2003) noted some key services that are offered by public libraries, they are as follows:
- Adult literacy service
- Public library extension services
- Provision of Informational needs
- Recreational Activities
Adult Literacy
According to Ikokoh (2003) the adult literacy service are
services offered to adults who did not further their education. This
service is rendered by means of providing reading materials for the
adults or even organizing adult literacy classes to improve their
educational standard.
Public Library Extension Services
This is the process of reaching out to the people in the rural
communities and proving them with information materials either on a
weekly or monthly basis. This type of service is rendered mostly for
users who claim to be too busy to come to the library.
Provision of Informational Needs
The public library provides the public with information on the
various needs of the public which could either be in politics,
agriculture, cultural or even current affairs. It is responsible for
providing any kind of information to people of different profession
such as framers, hairstylist, teachers, doctors, businessmen and women
etc to improve their various professions.
Recreational Activities
It also provides recreational materials for light reading, which
could be fictional or non fictional materials. The public library
encourages recreational activities by organizing film shows and reading
sections for mostly children.
Okeke (1979) in his contribution emphasized that public libraries
have the obligation of making their services available and possible to
all irrespective of age, sex, race or creed etc.
Kantumoya (1992) also asserts that the public library can offer
community information services to people in the community, irrespective
of their colour, class, race or creed. He further emphasized that the
public libraries should be able to provide information about the
community and the people in it, in order to assist the government who
might want to establish community development projects. With the proper
knowledge on what the community needs, the government will be able to
improve their standards of living, and the community will also be able
to know what the government is up to.
The public library also provides services to the children. Ikokoh
(2003) asserts, that all public libraries should be able to provide a
children section for the community, in order to meet the needs of the
children, this could be through the provision of recorded information
from others, which will help them grow into adulthood and also
provision of information on the culture and history of the community,
which will keep them aware of where they come from and their past
experiences and leaders as people as a whole.
Roles of Public Libraries
The role of public libraries cannot be overstated, it is a very
important aspect of our every day lives. Public libraries has been
considered as the root of quality education because it deals with all
members of the society. A good public library must have abundant and
varied collections of books and non-books materials to meet the needs
of users. The role that public libraries play in the community are
numerous, some of which where observed by some researchers.