Library Aesthetics as a Marketing Strategy for Enhanced Users’ Patronage in University Libraries in Katsina State – Nigeria

Abstract

The paper investigated the library aesthetics as a marketing strategy for enhanced users patronage in university libraries in Katsina State. The main objectives of the study was  to find out the available library aesthetics facilities for enhanced user patronage in university libraries in Katsina State; the problems facing libraries in the provision of library aesthetics for enhanced user patronage in university studied; and to find out the measures to be taken to overcome the identified problems. The targeted population comprised all the 8,914 registered undergraduate library users (students) of university libraries under study and three university librarians. The study is guided by positivism research paradigm where mixed research method was used and concurrent research design was adopted. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique and purposive sampling techniques were employed. Both questionnaire and interview schedule were used as the instruments for data collection and the data collected was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. A total number of 370 questionnaires were administered as the instruments for data collection were 249 questionnaires filled and returned. The study found that, available library aesthetics facilities include brighter colour walls & clean environment, painting coloured building. based on the findings, it was discovered that, well angled landscape and good ventilation across the section of the library are incorporated as one of the important aesthetics for facilities in libraries studied; use of inferior or substandard materials and non-involvement of library users during the design of the library building were the problems with library aesthetics in the university libraries studied. It was therefore recommended that showing concern to library building and involving users’ interest would be the most important way of overcoming the challenges and use of superior materials would be manned by the library management for enhanced library users in university libraries among others