ABSTRACT
This study
investigated the influence of public library services on rural farmers
information needs in Abia State. The study was aimed at discovering the public
library services provided and the influence it has on rural farmers information
needs. Research questions for the study includes what are the rural farmers
information needs, what are the services provided by public libraries to the
rural farmers, to what extent does the public library services influence rural
farmers information needs, what are the problems affecting meeting the rural
farmers information needs and what are the ways of enhancing and meeting the
rural farmers information needs. Hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of
significance. Literature in relevant areas was reviewed. Ex-post facto design
research design was adopted for the study. The population of study is 21,996
rural farmers in Abia State. Sample size
is 393 rural farmers from six rural areas in the local government of focus
which is Umuahia north. Structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for
data collection. Data were quantitatively analyzed and presented using
descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation. The major findings of the
study revealed that rural farmers’ information need include loan and credit
facilities, weather forecast, information on marketing, pesticides and
insecticides, among others. Poor road network, public libraries do not organize
workshop and seminar, non provision of referral services, non provision of
library extension services, among others are the factors affecting meeting their information
needs. Ways of enhancing and meeting the rural farmers
information needs include: provision of adequate power supply, provision of
referral services, presentation of information in local language of the farmer,
provision of current awareness services by public libraries among others. Based
on the major findings, it was recommended that the public libraries should
strive to know the information needs of rural farmers. It was recommended that
provision of adequate power supply, provision of referral services,
presentation of information in local language of the rural farmer, provision of
current awareness services by public libraries among others, are ways of
enhancing and meeting the rural farmers information needs in Abia State.
-- (2023). Influence Of Public Library Services On Rural Farmers Information Needs In Abia State Nigeria. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Dec 23, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/influence-of-public-library-services-on-rural-farmers-information-needs-in-abia-state-nigeria-7-2
--. "Influence Of Public Library Services On Rural Farmers Information Needs In Abia State Nigeria" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 30 Jun. 2023, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/influence-of-public-library-services-on-rural-farmers-information-needs-in-abia-state-nigeria-7-2. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
--. "Influence Of Public Library Services On Rural Farmers Information Needs In Abia State Nigeria". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 30 Jun. 2023. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/influence-of-public-library-services-on-rural-farmers-information-needs-in-abia-state-nigeria-7-2 >.
--. "Influence Of Public Library Services On Rural Farmers Information Needs In Abia State Nigeria" Mouau.afribary.org (2023). Accessed 23 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/influence-of-public-library-services-on-rural-farmers-information-needs-in-abia-state-nigeria-7-2