ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate issues/trends and challenges in public library administration in Nigeria. Five objectives were developed to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study, and the population for the study was 36 Directors of Library Services or State Librarians. The entire population was used in the study. Telephone interview and document examination were used as the instruments for data collection. Data collected through the telephone interview were analysed and presented by the use of descriptive statistics. The findings of the study reveal that commitment to effective public library administration by the DLS's proper planning, organisation, staff training, staff control and supervision, etc. within the available funds can ameliorate the challenges of public library administration in Nigeria; the trends in public library administration in Nigeria include: the public libraries are maintaining old organisational structures, there is prevalence of inadequate trained staffs, the remunerations and the designations of the DLS are not harmonised across the state; there are inadequate print and e-resource; the library’ edicts are not comprehensive; and most of the public libraries do not have constituted board member. Poor funding, inadequate power, lack of operational vehicles, inadequate space/accommodation, etc were among the challenges associated with public library administration in Nigeria. Some of the recommendations of the study include that: the practice of entrepreneurial public library administration should be adopted by the DLS or The SLs; state governments in Nigeria should fund public libraries properly; the public library edicts of all the states in Nigeria should be amended; and the National Library of Nigeria and the Nigerian Library Association should intervene in the plight of the public libraries in Nigeria.

Keyword: Library', public library, public library administration, public library legislation