UTILISATION OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES BY WOMEN IN NIGERIA: A TEN YEAR REVIEW 1994-2004

Abstract

In a research carried out in March 1994 on the public libraries of Kano in the Northern Nigeria (a predominantly Hausa by tribe and Muslim by religion.), Enugu in the East (predominantly Ibo by tribe and Christians by religion) and Ibadan in the West (a predominantly Yoruba state and a mixture of Christians and Muslim community), Kano had the lowest number of female library users. The study revealed that customs, religion and the poor state of their libraries were the most important factors for the poor utilization of public libraries by women in Kano. Ibadan public library is the highest utilized public library amongst the three in this study. From April to July 2004, questionnaires asking questions similar to those asked by the researcher in 1994 were administered to female users of the public libraries in Kano, Ibadan and Enugu. Results from the second study revealed that percentage of female readers to their male counter parts has risen from 5.9% in 1994 to 18.24% in 2004.There is also an increase in the number of women of Kano State origin using the library. The second study also showed that the Enugu state public library is now the least utilised public library amongst those in the study and that library services have worsened in the library.In conclusion,suggestions are made and recommendations given to each State Library Board according to the findings of the study.