GLOBALISATION: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Globalization has affected all spheres of life including information access,storage,retrieval,and exchange. Libraries, being custodians of this great resource are repositioning themselves to meet the demands of its users and remain relevant. Public libraries need not be left out of this trend. This paper discusses the state of public libraries, their level of preparedness for global information exchange, the challenges facing them as well as the opportunities that they stand to benefit should they embrace the trend. Data were collected from a sample of seven public libraries through questionnaire and analyzed. Public libraries are found to be ill-prepared for globalization due to challenges facing them. Improved funding, staff training, and others have been suggested as a way of repositioning them.