PUBLIC - PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES IN RURAL LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES

THE 20TH CENTURY ANAMBRA STATE EXPERIMENTS

Abstract

This study uses the structured interview to collect the required data and is designed to evaluate the nature, problems and progress of library and information services to rural communities in Anambra State; the private sector involvement is also assessed. The study covered all the Local Government [twenty in number] Areas in the state within a period of three weeks in June, 2007. The compact nature of the communities coupled with a good network of feeder roads initiated by both the Governor Ngige and the Governor Peter Obi administrations are factors that enhanced the rapid completion of the study within the time frame. The findings indicate that rural libraries and other information services have been established in 13 out of the 210 communities that make the 21 local government areas of the state. Almost all the rural libraries have stock-holdings above 15,000 volumes excluding serials collections and at least 3 professional staff each in its workforce. Suggestions for improvement are proffered, while some other grey areas for further research are also indicated.