Awareness of Public Library and Utilization of its HIV/AIDS Information Resources and Services by Secondary School Adolescents

Abstract

Public libraries have become become common ground for providing proactive prevention-focused AIDS information services. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of presence of public librariesand low utilization of their AIDS information services. Librarians still have daunting work to do in Nigeria.  Secondary school students were recruited from Osogbo and Ile-Ife and were asked through a paper questionnaire to respond to whether they were aware of the public library in their city; positive respondents were then implored to provide answers to enquiries about their utilization of AIDS information resources and services. 420 students participated in the study, 52.9% of them were aware of public library in their city; prevalently found among females, senior students and respondents from Osogbo. About half of the respondents who were aware of public libraries actually visited one before. Library based services were used more by the males while the females used more of the outreach services.This study revealed moderate awareness of public libraries and low utilization of their AIDS information services. Librarians still have daunting work to do in Nigeria.

Key words: Awareness, utilization, public libraries, students, adolescents