Public Relations Practices in Nigeria Public Libraries
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The following objectives were formulated to guide the study
- To determine the extent to which the University of Agriculture Library, Makurdi and the Benue State University Library, Makurdi create good relationship with their users
- To know how the two university libraries under survey produce publicity campaigns for users
- To know how the two university libraries under survey lobby funders/stakeholders to raise more funds for the provision of resources and services
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
This subheading reviewed related literature on university libraries and library public relations. University libraries are academic libraries established and attached to universities. According to Ashaver and Bem-Bura (2013) university libraries are the repositories of knowledge that provide the vital under pinning for national development. Sambe and Oche (2017) articulate that university libraries exist to provide and disseminate information to users or the academic community. This means the aim of university libraries is to provide information resources and services that will support the teaching, learning, research and community development. University libraries provide information resources and services that are meant to be made know to the public. It is when the awareness of the available information resources and services is created that the use of resources and services is optimally promoted by the user community. Public relations are therefore a major practice for promoting the availability and use of information resources and services of the university libraries. Public relations are not different from the promotion of a favourable public image for the library and its services. Public relations are defined by Nnadozie, Nnadozie and Okeke (2015) as the series of carefully-planned efforts at creating positive reputation. Nwosu and Njoku (2015) described library public relations as a service-oriented and client –centered activity in which public interest not personal reward should be the primary consideration. This means library public relations is a public service and not a private or personal service and should deal with reality and not false fronts. Edom, Nwosu and Akanwa (2015) look at it as deliberately planned, systematic and research-based activities of any library which are aimed at building and sustaining mutual relationship with members of the community in which the library is located. Library public relations according to Edom, Edom and Egbuchu (2015) are an important means through which the publics of the library (library staff, users/readers, financiers/sponsors, book vendors, etc) can be increased and retained. Shidi and Sambe (2019) identified public relation activities as library resources display, library tours, library cooperation, library instruction/orientation, reference/referral services, current awareness services, selective dissemination of information, circulation services, compilation of bibliographies, list of new materials, posters, seminars, and conferences, book launch, book fair, library website creation, news talk, poress briefing programme, placement of advert, phone in programme etc. These activities according to Mbashir, Job and Edom (2015) influences and create confidence for library services in the public in various ways such as making public aware of the services and policies of the library. This means that while the organization is growing in its entire ramification, the staff members are enjoying good working relationship and is equally growing. A reasonable number of authors investigated into the subject matter of this research (public relations). For instance, Hazen (2010) explores and analyses the changing media landscape, its effects on press, journalism and the news agenda, and subsequently, how those effects are changing the practice of media relations and the roles and relationships of public relations. The study findings reported that it is evident that the media landscape is changing the roles and relationships of current PR practice, and through the inherently social and communal developments online, these changes, when met with an appropriate knowledge of the media ecosystem, forecast an opportunistic time for the progression of public relations. Odine (2011) investigate marketing library services in academic libraries in Niger State, Nigeria.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine Public Relations Practices In Nigeria Public Libraries. University of Benue state, Markudi form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Public Relations Practices In Nigeria Public Libraries. .In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing Public Relations Practices in Nigeria Public Libraries.
Summary
This study was on Public Relations Practices in Nigeria Public Libraries. Three objectives were raised which included: To determine the extent to which the University of Agriculture Library, Makurdi and the Benue State University Library, Makurdi create good relationship with their users, to know how the two university libraries under survey produce publicity campaigns for users and to know how the two university libraries under survey lobby funders/stakeholders to raise more funds for the provision of resources and services. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from University of Benue state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study concludes that the practice of public relations in university libraries is necessary for improved services and user satisfaction.
Recommendation
Based on the findings of the survey, the following recommendations are made
1.University libraries in Benue State should employ other ways of creating good relationship with users such as creating and making use of library websites
2.University libraries should also consider public and private partnership as a good way of persuading library stakeholders or funders to provide library resources for the user community.
References
- Ashaver, D. & Bem-Bura, M.D. (2013) Students’ Perception of Library Services in Universities in Benue State. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSR-JRME), 1 (7), 41-48.Available from www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org
- Bhargava, D. (2010). The use of Internet in public relations and its impact on the practice: A New Zealand perspective.A Thesis submitted to AUT University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Communication Studies (MCS).
- Burns, E. (2015). Practitioner perceptions of school library advocacy. Education Libraries, 38 (1), 1-16.
- Cottrill, J et’al. (2015). From impact to advocacy: working together toward public library sustainability.Available from www.emeraldinsight..com/doi/full/10.1108/PMM-04-2015-0008
- Edom, B. O; Edom, E. U and Egbuchu, C. C. (2015). The challenges of library public relations. In: Edom , O. and Nnadozie, C.O. (eds), Elements of Library Public Relations(218-225). Owerri: Springfield Publishers Ltd
- Edom, B. O; Nwosu, C.C. and Akanwa, P. C. (2015). Library public relations programmes. In: Edom, O. and Nnadozie, C.O. (ed.), Elements of Library Public Relations(90-103). Owerri: Springfield Publishers Ltd
- Harrison, K.C. (2001). Public relations.Retrieved from file///C:/Users/pc/Documents/PUBLIC RELATIONS 4.htmlHazen, S. (2010). Public relations: exploiting strategic communication in a changed media landscape