CHAPTER  ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1            BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

In this modern world of information explosion, society is always in need of information agencies strive to meet this information need. Numerous definitions have been given to the term library, one of such definitions is contained in the encyclopedia Britannica (vol.22, 1988) state that “a library is a collection of written, printed or other graphic or visual materials (including files, photographs, tapes, phonograph records, videodiscs, microforms, and computer programs) organized and maintained for reading, study, and consultation. Another definition of a library is from the websters New York World Dictionary (1991) which states that “library is a room or building where a collection of books, periodicals, etc are kept for reading and reference” collier’s encyclopedia (vol.14,1990) defines the “library as a collection of graphic materials, books, films, magazines, maps manuscripts, organized for use” while the majority of people take a library to be a place where books are kept. These views of people about the library are not satisfactory.

Therefore, the definition of a library to be accepted by all should be the one given by Agbodike 1995 in a lecture delivered, “ A library is a collection of records of human culture in print or non-print information providing materials, or book and non-book materials, house, preserved, organized, interpreted, and managed by professional librarians or clientele for information, knowledge, education, research, recreation, and aesthetic appreciation, and cultural enjoyment. The the definition which unites the library to book alone is incomplete for there are many other forms of recorded knowledge such as tapes, films, microfilms, microfiches, videotapes, and projectors contained in the holdings of libraries. Commenting on the changing roles of the library, the father of librarianship, Melvin, Dewy (1906) stated that the library has lost its etymologic meaning and means not a collection of books but the central agency for disseminating information, innocent recreation or best of all, inspiration among the people.

From the the definition is given above, the three components of a library are books, staff, and building. A library cannot exist without books or a qualified institution called a library without a building, as well as adequate finance to run and maintain it. There are different types of libraries performing different functions aimed at satisfying their various patrons. These include school, academic, special national, and public libraries. School libraries are libraries located in primary and secondary schools. They support and enrich the educational programs in the schools in which they are located.

Academic libraries are libraries located in institutions of high learning while special libraries are those established in companies, organizations, government departments, and research institutions. This type of library satisfies the needs of subject specialists and researchers. The National Library of a country is the one responsible for collecting and conserving the whole of that county’s book production for the benefit of further generations. It is the chief depository of the national arts and culture.

Public libraries are libraries built for the general public. They are supervised, financed, and supported by the state or local government of a country. According to the New encyclopedia (vol. 22, 973) “public libraries are acknowledged to be an indispensable point of community life as promoters of libraries providers of a wide range of reading for all ages, and centers for community information services”. Public libraries are established by state law supported by the general public funds and administered for the benefit of the citizens of the town, city, or region which maintains it on the basis of equal access to all, whether they are artisans or professionals. It does not discriminate as its doors are open to all classes of people.

The American Library Association (1967), in one of its publications, stated the functions of public libraries. Again, at the seminar in library management, organized by the University of Ibadan and the British council (1970), it was considered that the public library should provide printed and audio-visual materials to meet the individual and group needs of its community for information, self-realization, recreation, and culture growth and for assistance in campaign out, their duties are citizens and members of the community.

1.1.1  HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE CENTRAL LIBRARY OWERRI.

The Imo State Library Board came into existence with the creation of Imo and Anambra state. Despite the creation of the Imo state out of the former east-central state, both continued to maintain a central library services under the east-central state library board until September 1976, when the library staff of origin had to be transferred to Owerri to establish the administrative headquarters of the present library Board. At At the same time, the assets and liabilities of the former east-central state were shared. The movement of staff to Owerri created accommodation problems. Most of the junior staff occupied the uncompleted library building as their residence and worked very hard to see that the library was opened early for services.

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