Projecting a positive image of public libraries in Nigeria through public relations

Abstract

This paper examined the state of the public library in its early stages of development in Nigeria, as well as its current state, and it came to the conclusion that the public library does not enjoy the goodwill of both the government and the people. The paper therefore advocates for public relations as a veritable management strategy by which the library can be steered away from its present state of near-neglect onto the course of growth and development. Certain public relations techniques like marketing, publicity, lobbying, friends of the library group, etc. are suggested. The paper recommended that public relations practice should be embraced by public libraries in Nigeria, and that library and information science schools in the country should start teaching public relations courses to their students.

West African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science Vol. 16(2) 2006: 129-135