Perceived impacts of library outreach services on work productivity of farmers In Kwara State, Nigeria

Library outreach service involves the collection, packaging and delivery of information resources to library users outside the library building. It specifically involves bringing library and information services to the doorstep of users who by whatever reason are unable to visit the library. The aim of the study is to assess the perceived impacts of several library outreach services as determinants of more work productivity of farmers in agriculture and rural development in Kwara State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to: assess the depth of perceived impacts of library outreach services on farmers, ascertain the level of access to special library resources by farmers, examine the level of satisfaction derived by farmers, investigate how well the information needs are met, identify the constraints hindering efficient library outreach services and seek opinions to achieve more work productivity for farmers in agriculture and rural development in Kwara State, Nigeria. One hundred and twelve (112) respondents who are farmers from the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute constituted the sample of the study. The study made use of social survey design to gather data via questionnaire and interview. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed through Statistical Package and Service Solution and content analysis respectively using descriptive statistics including tables, simple percentage and frequency count. The study’s findings revealed that library outreach services such as mass/social media and e-library have a substantial impact and that there are significant disparities in access and effectiveness across different library outreach methods. Constraints such as inadequate funding, low standards of living, and weak institutional policies hinder the optimal functioning of these outreach services. The study concluded that while services such as mass/social media and e-library have a substantial impact, there are significant disparities in access and effectiveness across different outreach methods. The study recommended proper funding for the federal, state and local governments and other relevant stakeholders with a robust institutional policy in place to administer efficient library outreach services in agriculture and rural development in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study is useful to policy makers, farmers, librarians, library staff, professionals and stakeholders in public and private organisations in the agriculture and rural development (ARD) in Nigeria and beyond.