TOWARDS PUBLIC LIBRARIES TRANSFORMATION IN NIGERIA: STAFF PATTERN APPROACH

Abstract

This paper x-rays the roles of staff pattern in the transformation of public libraries in Nigeria. The paper highlights that the responsibilities of the public library are still of huge proportions and therefore the public library should be treated, with regard to staffpattern, as one of the major government departments in the States of the Nigerian Federation. Government recognition of the public library as one of the foremost government departments should incorporate adoption of enhanced staff pattern, asserts the paper. Furthermore, the paper identifies effective recruitment,staff categorization and remuneration, correct placement, training and development, fair promotion, and organizational structure as the elements that constitute staffpattern which determine the status of public libraries in any nation.To achieve quality service delivery through the transformation of public libraries,the paper contends that the current staffpattern existing in the public library system in Nigeria need to be reviewed and enhanced. Also, to transform public libraries in Nigeria to higher status for quality service delivery, the paper made recommendations in the areas of:staffrecruitment; restoration of academic status to librarians in the public library system; and harmonization oflibrarian cadre-all havingimplications on funding of public libraries in Nigeria.