Education for self-reliance: Creating a Library system that serves the needs of rural communities in Nigeria
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Date
2011
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
IRCAB Journal of Art and Education
Abstract
Education for Self Reliance (ESR) emphasized the need for curriculum reform in order to integrate theory with the acquisition of practical life skills. Analysis by Huebler (2008) showed that in Nigeria, 55% more men (67%) than women (44%) are literate, and the literacy rate is higher in urban (71%) than in rural areas (47%). Nyana (2009) stated libraries as “repositories of knowledge or storehouses of written records of civilizations in various forms of the information package…the elements of a library are books…libraries play informational, recreational, research, cultural, educational …” roles. Information professionals have the responsibility of educating and bringing information at the door step of urban and rural dwellers that are in search of information that will aid them in their pursuit. This paper reflects on some of the problems facing Libraries in Nigeria in the provision of information and services to rural communities regarding: inappropriate collections and services, lack of surveys/ analyses of information needs of rural communities, high-levels of illiteracy, lack of funding and cooperation between related agencies, and inappropriate training of African librarians, to name a few. Therefore, this paper suggests a library system that is sustainable and compatible in the provision of information in print relevant to rural populations where information and knowledge are communicated orally, library collections and services patterned after Western culture and information needs relevant to rural communities in Africa, and how librarians can be better trained to meet the information needs of rural communities.
Description
5p
Keywords
Adult Literacy, Education, Information and Services, Library System, Rural Communities, Self-reliance.
Citation
Adeagbo, O.O. and Okunlola, A.A. (2011). Education for self-reliance: Creating a Library system that serves the needs of rural communities in Nigeria. IRCAB Journal of Social and Management Sciences, September 1(1):434 -438.