Funding of public libraries – case study of Abia and Imo State public libraries

Description

Abstract

Funding of public libraries – case study of Abia and Imo State public libraries. The study surveyed the funding of public libraries. Research design adopted was the comparative survey method using questionnaires and interviews for data collection the population of the study consisted of accountants and directors. Questionnaires were only issued to 4 professional staff who are in a position to answer issues on funding of public libraries. The questionnaires that were administrated were returned representing, 100% return rate. This work also identified factors affecting funding of public libraries which included insufficient finance allocation from the government, late release of funds by the government, reduction of actual subvention approval for public libraries and misappropriation and finance recklessness of libraries. Finally, the paper made recommendations on how to alleviate the problem of funding namely: educating and enlightening government and policymakers on the value of public libraries strengthening alternative sources of funding, maintaining cordial relationships with the government.