Promoting intellectual freedom: the role of the library

Abstract

The study investigated how library and information services promote intellectual freedom. It adopted a descriptive research survey and sampled both undergraduate and postgraduate students that use the library in Rivers State University. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. 120 copies of questionnaire were randomly administered to the undergraduate and postgraduate library student users, 100 copies of the questionnaire were successfully completed, returned and used for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency distribution and percentages were used to compute the data based on the number of questionnaires successfully completed and returned. The findings of the study revealed that the library was well equipped with current book/materials and journals on various fields including E-books and E-journals. The reasons for using library resources were to enhance thinking/intellectual ability, enhance academic performance, be motivated and decisive in order to contribute meaningfully to the society and to be informed positively. It was also reported that the reasons for using library resources were achieved and that library and information services could really promote intellectual freedom. It was therefore recommended that the society should see library and information services as a tool to intellectual freedom.

Keywords: Change, Mindset, intellectual freedom, Library, Information Services