Influence of planning on the provision of services to children in Eastern States of Nigeria

Abstract

Planning is an essential management function which invariably precedes all other activities that yield to effective services in an organization. This paper sought to determine, among other things, how planning affects the provision of library services to children in selected public libraries; determine the services provided and the degree of satisfaction derived; and to unravel problems inherent in the services. A survey research method was adopted; structured questionnaires and direct observations were used as instruments for data collection. A population of 58 Librarians and a sample of 800 registered children library users were involved in the study. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyse data. Findings showed that: planning significantly influenced the provision of library services to children in the public libraries studied. Through careful planning, a variety of services was offered to children users which sustained their interest to patronize the libraries. Recommendations were made for improvement of library services to children users in public libraries

Keywords: Planning, Library. Services, Children, Influence