Public Libraries as Instrument of Development in the Contemporary Society: A Study of Rivers State Public Library

The study examined public libraries as instrument of development in the contemporary society: a study of Rivers State public library.The study was guided by three objectives and three research questions.The study adopted the descriptive research design.The population of the study comprises 112 users of the Rivers State Library Board and Jubilee Library Port Harcourt.The researchers employed the simple random sampling technique to select 102 users of the public libraries mentioned above which stood as the sample.The instrument used for data collection was the researchers' made structured questionnaire titled: Public Libraries and Societal Development in Rivers State (PLSDRS).The data generated were analysed using simple percentages.The paper through its findings concludes that public libraries encourage the advancement of self-conducted education, help citizens in creative development and also serve as agents of peace in the society.It therefore recommend that public libraries through her extension service channels should create full awareness of all the services they offer to the public as this will likewise boost usage.Public libraries should also be established in the rural part of the country.The public library personnel should ensure that good and appropriate information materials are selected, acquired and made available for use.