Title: Public Library Services in Nigeria: For all or just for the Literates
Author(s): Ezeabasili Augusta Chioma, Chibueze Maureen Nneka
Publication Year: 2021; Volume 16, Issue 1, pages 76-83

Public libraries are known to offer services to all irrespective of level of education socialrneconomic and political status. Unfortunately it is the other way round for public libraries inrnNigeria where only the literates benefits from the library services provided. Hence this paperrncritically examines the constraints to effective use of public library services by youths inrnAwka Anambra state with Anambra State main public library as a case study. Researchrnquestions were formulated with an observation checklist and a self assisted structuredrnquestionnaire as the data collection instruments. The sample population comprised of 70rnnon-literate youths in Awka. The study reveals dissatisfaction by the youths with the booksrnoriented library services rendered at the state public library due to the fact that they are notrnaware that the public library is not all about books that there are many other libraryrnservices they can benefit from. Based on the findings it was recommended that publicrnlibraries need to identify with the non-literate youths in the communities where they operaternanalyze their information needs and develop innovative services specifically targeted at them.