Parent Institutions and Innovations in School Library Management in Nigeria: A Conceptual Review

Abstract

School libraries have become vital resources of information that assist pupils, students, and staff in primary, secondary, and other non-tertiary institutions to appropriately respond to their varied information needs. They can be seen as indispensable facilities established with the objective of providing learning resources to enrich curriculum, supplement textbooks and classroom instruction and give users unlimited opportunities for learning. For any school library to remain relevant in this digital age and current climate, it has to be innovative. It has to the concern of parent institutions, “owners” to adopt cutting-age strategies to instill innovation into the management of school libraries. It is obvious that when school libraries receive proper attention from parent institutions, the school library resources, services, facilities, and physical environment, etc will be adequately innovated for desired patronage. This paper presents the conceptual description of school library and its imperatives. Innovation elements and roles of parent institutions in the school library management are highlighted. Implications, tools, and skills for innovation in school library management are extensively examined. The paper reveals factors affecting parent institutions and innovations in school library management. In conclusion, the paper establishes that for school libraries take their pride of place as learning hub, innovation must be embrace with all seriousness and sincerity by all stakeholders, especially the parent institutions. This study recommends among others, adequate funding of public school libraries in Nigeria and retooling of school librarians for effective implementation of innovative strategies.