Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
Abstract
The paper focused on public library service to children in selected State Library Boards in Nigeria. Public library service is expected to be enjoyed by all the people living in the community where it is located. Adults, young adults, children, literates, and illiterates are being served by public libraries in all parts of the world. These categories of users have specific spaces where they are to be served in the public library. The children’s section is one of the sections to be provided for in every public library in every part of the world. This section provides resources and services to various categories of children in the library. Children develop reading skills, acquire cultural knowledge, and learn inquiry skills etc at a tender age in the public library which is to be complimented by the school library. With the numerous benefits derived by the children from using their section, some shortcomings have been observed. The researchers therefore investigated the state of the section in some selected library boards in Nigeria. Six selected public libraries in Nigeria were visited and observed to identify the state of the children section. Findings from the study revealed among others: 6(100%) selected libraries have provision and space for children’s library but only 1(16.7%) space was adequate; all the libraries provided textbooks and storybooks for children but their information resources were fairly current. Recommendations for improvement of service to children in public libraries in Nigeria were made from the findings of the study.
Keywords: Children; Library; Public; Service; Nigeria.