Strengthening Public Library Funding in Nigeria through Innovative Activities

Abstract

Past political leaders of Nigeria had envisioned the public library as a foundation of a literate population, an educated citizenry, and a free democratic society and so supported it generously. The support from the succeeding political leaders has now waned and the majority of public libraries in Nigeria are either experiencing declining or static public funding. Policy makers today often acknowledge, and yet pay only lip service, to Nigerian public libraries. This paper explores the various local, national and global opportunities outside of state public funding that are available to be exploited by Nigerian public libraries and public librarians and other stakeholders through vigorous, concerted and sector-wide advocacy, proposal writing and grant seeking activities. The paper emphasises the imperative for public library stakeholders to promote the social and development relevance of public libraries through these initiatives.