Impact Of Poor Funding Of Nigeria Library On The Literacy Level Of Nigerians

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In many public libraries, the budgetary allocation is not always released as when due, and this in turn delays the implementation of the programs of these libraries when funds are eventually released. There is inadequate funding of public libraries by the state government which is suppose to provide about 80% of the funds required by the public libraries. Shortage of funds has resulted in shortage of relevant text books as currently being experienced by users who are in need of the materials. Inadequate provision of funds has prevented the provision of current materials needed by the staff and clientele in public libraries.

 Thus, the challenge of this study is to determine the effects of poor funding of Benue State Library Board Makurdi, and to suggest alternative sources of funding of Benue State Library Board Makurdi.  

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The fundamental purpose of the study is to determine the effect of poor funding of public library in Nigeria: A case study of Benue State Library Board. The specific purposes are as followed;

1. To identify the major source of funding of Benue State Library Board. 

2. To identify the alternative source of funding of Benue State Library Board.

3. To examine the effect of poor funding of public libraries on literacy level

4. To identify the implication of poor funding on staff morale of public library in Nigeria

5. To identify problems associated with inadequate funding of Benue State Library Board.

6. To proffer solution on how to overcome inadequate funding of Benue State Library Board. 

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions were formulated to guide the study;

1. What is the major source of fund for public library?

2. What are the other alternative sources of funds available to Benue State Library Board?

3. What are the effects of poor funding of public libraries on literacy level?

4. What are the implications of poor funding on staff morale of public library in Nigeria?

5. What are the problems associated with poor funding of public libraries in Nigeria especially Benue state public library board Makurdi. 

6. What are the solutions on how to overcome inadequate funding of Benue State Library Board? 

1.5 Significance of the Study

The findings of this research will hopefully be of immense benefit to the following; professional librarians, library users, governments, policy makers, stakeholder in the education industry and researchers. 

The study will be significant to professional librarian as it will enable them to seek for ways of sourcing funds for the development of public libraries.  It will also be of significant to government as it will enable them to budget more funds to public libraries.  The study will also benefit students of library and information science as it will enable them has first class information in the subject area. The findings of this study will also benefit policy makers and stakeholders in the education sector as the study will enable them make policies concerning the public libraries.  And finally the findings of this study will serve as a springboard for other researchers who may want to carry out further research in the subject area.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is exclusively on the effect of poor funding of Benue State library board Makurdi. 

1.7 Operational Definitions of Research Concepts

EFFECTS: Is a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause. It is also a state of affairs that is produced by a cause.

FUNDING: Is the act of providing financial resources, usually in form of money, or other values such as effort or time, to finance a need, program and project, usually by an organization or government.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES:  It is the most easily accessible library collection to all categories users as it may be found both in the major cities and at the grassroots levels, with no restriction to its use on the bases of race, profession, status, sex and among others.