Sustainable Development Goals: Challenges and Solutions in Nigerian Public Libraries
The presentation explores the state of public libraries in Nigeria, identifies challenges they face, and proposes a model for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through strategic library services.
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Presentation Transcript
By Dr. Rosemary Chika Ilechukwu, PhD Atlantic International University Honolulu Hawaii, United State of America
OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION Introduction Objectives of the study Literature review Overview of SDGs State of Public Library In Nigeria Challenges facing Public Libraries in Nigeria Model for Achieving SDGs in Nigeria Conclusion and recommendation
Introduction The Sustainable Development Goals SDGs are sets of 17 goals developed by member countries of the United Nations in a bid to find solution to the myriads of problem facing man and his environs. The SDGs came into operation as a result of the failure of MDGs which was instituted to help provide solutions to the challenges facing developing countries of theworld.
Introduction Contd. The notion of sustainable development first appeared for the first time in 1987 It implies economic development maintained withinacceptable levelsof global resources. It deals with a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Introduction Contd To effectively achieve the goals of the SDGs, there is need for awareness creation whereby people can key into its implementation process. Hence the need for an efficient system for managing information of flow. Information is an inevitable ingredient for national development i.e. There can be no meaningful national development if attention is not paid to information and the agencies responsible for their management.
Introduction Contd Hence, the need for a public libraries whose sole function is to provide information services that are inline with the information needs of the people its community. The position of public libraries the world over should not be underestimated as through the provision of the information needs of people within its immediate contribute immensely in the realization of developmental objectives. environment, they
Objectives: To identify the stateof public libraries in Nigeria To identify the challenges facing public libraries in Nigeria To proffer a model for the achievement of SDGs in Nigeria through strategic public library services
Overview of SDGs in Nigeria The inability to achieve the goals of MDGs before 2015, brought about SDGs The MDGswas marred by lotsof challenges such as: Inconsistencies in the funding Emergence of new problems Corruption Poor infrastructure facilities Etc At the deadline of 2015, the world was still faced with lots of problem from the past and even new problems were beginning to emerge, hence the review of the MDGs from its few goals into SDGs with 17goals inclusiveof thegoals from MDGs
Overview of SDGs in Nigeria Contd. The SDGs are set of 17 goals officially known as Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development . The goals of SDGs are expected to achieved using the infrastructural facilities membercountries of the UN available in the The success of MDGs in Nigeria have been rated far below average
Overview of SDGs in Nigeria Contd. Literature reviewed have attributed this to the lack of accessibility to information on how communities and its members can properly participate This is also so because, public libraries which are community information centers that makes all kinds of knowledge and information readily available to its users are not fullyequipped to takeon this task.
State of public Libraries in Nigeria Contd. Nigeria with a population of over 167million and still counting is the sixth most populated country in the world after China, India, USA, Indonesia and Brazil With a population growth of about 2.4 percent, this makes Nigeria the most populous country in Africa and the largest black nation in the world. With a life expectancy at birth of 52.3, human development index of 0.47, poverty rate at 62.6% (UNDP, 2016); Nigeria is a country in dire need of sustainable developmental strides in order to lift it people from the scourge of poverty and backwardness. It is Richly endowed with abundant natural and human resources that cuts across different ethnic groups and nationalities yet ridden by poverty, diseases and high rateof unemployment.
State of public Libraries in Nigeria Contd. Despite these abundance in human and natural resources, There are only 316 public libraries in Nigeria And managed by 3,147 professional staff (LRCN, nd) The ratio of public librarian to the general population of Nigeria is 327,450 persons to 1 professional public librarian.
State of public Libraries in Nigeria Contd. Historically, public libraries in Nigeria have been facing series of challenges such as: Inadequate funding Poor facilities Lack of professional staff Poor collection development Etc These challenges have been there right from pre- colonial times through the period of oil boom down to this period of oil doom.
State of public Libraries in Nigeria Contd. In this 21stcentury public Libraries are even more overwhelmed with tougher problems such as those created as a result of the coming of ICTs and its related components. The need to makeavailablecomputers and other ICT facilities The need to create access to online digital resources which requires hugeamountof money The need to train and retrain staff forthese purposeetc Achieving the goals of SDGs will be facing lots of rigors as faras thesechallenges are left unresolved.
Model for achieving SDGs through strategic public services Despite the above mentioned challenges, public libraries have been able to keep their head above water level by remaining relevant and a dominant player in the deliveryof information services to its clients. Below are ways through which public libraries can contribute toachieving the SDGs:
Model for achieving SDGs Contd. Awareness through Enlightenment Program Creating Public Lectures and Serving as agency of change through the Provision of Educational Information Undertaking Research Provision and Promotion of Public Access to Information Provision of Information for Planning Provision of Political Information
Conclusion & recommendations There is need for proper funding of public libraries Government should equip public libraries with state-of-the-art facilities in the area of ICTs There is need for increased interlibrary cooperation as no library is an island Putting mismanagementof funds meant for Public librarydevelopment in place mechanism to checkmate corruption and Govt. to improve on existing library laws and legislation in order to supportand betterempowers public libraries NLA and LRCN should be proactive in ensuring the right thing is done
