REFOCUSING PUBLIC LIBRARY CRUSADE IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES

Abstract: This article explores the challenges facing public libraries in Nigeria and proposes strategies to refocus the public library movement in the nation. Public libraries are crucial for promoting literacy, addressing information poverty and inequality, supporting economic development, and fostering social cohesion. However, inadequate funding, issues of ethnicity and religion, location disparities, poor conditions of service, and government attitudes towards libraries pose significant challenges. To refocus the public library crusade, strategies such as making libraries public gathering places, enhancing government-library relationships, showcasing history and information, training librarians, reviewing remuneration, fostering communication, providing a wide range of community services, advocating for public participation, ensuring accessibility, and improving library infrastructure and management were recommended.