Imperatives of Library Advocacy in Contemporary Society:- Edward C. Amadi

Abstract

 This study examines the imperatives oflibrary advocacy as a surviving tool in contemporary society. Library advocacy is a deliberate, 'well-planned andsustained effort toward engraving the existence andprograms of the libraries in the consciousness ofthe publicfor enhanced acceptability, support andpatronage. Library advocacy is a veritable tool for librarians in today's society because of the pervasive advancement in information and communication technology which has steadily shifted attention of the public from the libraries as a reservoir ofinformation and knowledge, as well as other negatingfactorsfacing the growth of libraries in Nigeria. Librarians have to advocate in order to draw the publics’ attention, sympathy and supportfor the libraries in this era ofmisinformation and obvious disregardfor libraries and librarians. Thispaper adopts the conceptualresearch approach in examining library advocacy and its implicationsfor libraries, librarians and librarianship, as well as the elements oflibrary advocacy, tools in library advocacy, best practices in libraiy advocacy, challengesfacing library advocacy andstrategiesforimproving library advocacy in Nigeria. Keywords: Libraiy Advocacy, Contemporary Society