INTEGRATING LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES INTO RURAL COMMUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN BIDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the integration of library and information services into rural communities for sustainable development in Bida LGA, Niger State, Nigeria. This research employed a survey design. The population of the study constituted 5,515 registered users of the Niger State Library Board. The sample size of this study is 363 library users. Simple random and accidental sampling techniques were used for this study. A questionnaire was used as the study's instrument. Data collected was analysed using frequencies and mean. Findings from the study revealed that the level of sustainable development in rural community libraries is high. The rural communities' informationseeking behaviour medium for sustainable development agreed that they seek information through various ways such as radio, neighbourhood, newspapers, NGOs, and television. The types of library and information services and the sustainable development of rural communities is low. The study recommended, among others, that rural libraries should be able to repackage all kinds of information, including agricultural, health, economic, legal, land, and education, in different formats and local dialects that fulfil the unique needs for information of rural residents. There should be an effective means of seeking information from rural dwellers by opening more radio and television stations, etc. Public libraries should have sufficient, current and pertinent resources.