Censorship and the Challenges of Library Services Delivery in Nigeria

Authors

Japheth A. Yaya Mr, yjapheth@yahoo.comFollow

Date of this Version

Summer 9-30-2013

Document Type

Article

Citation

References

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Abstract

Abstract

This paper discusses censorship and the challenges of Library services delivery in Nigeria. Librarians, through their professional associations, have long been committed to the social justice principle of free access to information. External censorship challenges to library collections threaten this principle overtly. However, censorship can also occur in libraries in various covert and often unconscious ways. This paper also raises concerns about current librarian practices and library censorship processes which can effectively censor library collections from within. In managing the library and its services, the librarian should promote inclusion and should not discriminate against any library user regardless of sex, ethnic group, nationality, social condition, religion or political opinions. It concludes by calling librarians to provide the highest level of service through courteous, prompt, adequate, skillful, accurate and unbiased responses to all requests for assistance to the user.