Enhancing Literacy Through Public Libraries in Nigeria: Roles, Strategies, and Challenges

Abstract

Literacy is a vital tool for accessing and utilizing information to make informed decisions and solve problems. This paper examines the role of public libraries in promoting and enhancing literacy in Nigeria. It highlights key contributions such as creating a welcoming learning environment, offering free access to information, identifying user needs and providing appropriate solutions, addressing community issues through information services, and supplying relevant reading materials for all age groups and literacy levels. The study adopts a desk research approach, relying on a review of existing literature, policy documents, and relevant reports to analyze the functions, strategies, and challenges of public libraries in literacy promotion. It also explores how public libraries can sustain literacy development in the digital era and contribute to national development through information literacy. The paper concludes with recommendations on how public libraries can further support efforts to improve literacy rates in Nigeria