Developing effective library services for children and young people in public libraries: A structured review

Abstract

Public libraries play fundamental roles in providing children and young people with free and open access to knowledge, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Toddlers come for story times, teachers and day care providers bring groups of children to find books and information, to be instructed in information literacy skills, and to hear stories. School children drop in for after-school programming or homework assistance. Hence the role of public libraries in the life of children and young people cannot be overemphasized. This paper focuses on different innovative services and programmes in public libraries for young people in the digital age; library services for children and young people and strategies for effective library service delivery. It concludes by recommending that Public Library should make a concerted effort to improve its collections, resources and services in other to meet the ever increasing need of children and young people.

Keywords: Public Library, Library use, Library Services, Children and Young people.