Abstract

This study examined public library services for cultural and educational rebirth among young people in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Case study and descriptive survey research designs were adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised staff of the Umuahia Public library and registered users of the library. A convenience sampling technique was used and a sample size of 350 registered users and staff of the Umuahia Public library was evaluated for this study. Instrument for data collection include the questionnaire and an observation checklist. 350 questionnaires were administered to respondents with a response rate of 320 (91.5%). Findings of the study show that the Umuahia Public library has various information resources, services and programmes for cultural and educational rebirth. Further results showed that the available services and programmes are not well designed and effective enough to achieve cultural and educational rebirth among the youths. The study identified some factors that hinder the Umuahia Public library Services to include: poor funding, lack of innovative programmes etc. It was therefore recommended that the library offer innovative programmes and services that would attract young people to use the library, especially for cultural and educational rebirth, provide cultural resources among others. This result of the study hos serious implications for public library services in Nigeria, management and staff of the Umuahia Public Library and young people in Umuahia, Nigeria and researchers on cultural issues.

Keywords: Public Library Services, Cultural Rebirth, Educational Rebirth, Young People, Umuahia, Nigeria.