Nigerian Libraries: How Functional, Equipped Are They Today?

Before now private, public and school libraries in Nigeria were reservoirs of vast information, because they were well equipped. Often students, researchers and others trooped to these libraries to acquire knowledge for examination or pleasure.

Government, organisations and public- spirited individuals donate books to the library. Some even build private ones and throw it open for public use. Looking at the situation, the state of most libraries in the country today especially public libraries and ones owned by schools, the story is nothing to write about.

Apart from lack of basic items like chairs, tables and shelves, they do not have modern textbooks, journals and other study materials. This is because of serial neglect they have suffered for years now.

Not helping matter is the advent of the Internet, which many prefer to use instead of going to the library. Because of this, some state governments have embarked on the establishment of digital libraries, but not much progress has been made.