Relationship Between Library Aesthetics, Functional Quality and Students' Use of Nigerian University Library Spaces

In developing countries, the balance between aesthetics and functionality remains difficult to achieve. In many African countries, like Nigeria, university libraries are still battling with architectural and operating constraints, among them funding issues, outdated designs, poor environmental control systems and resistance to adopting e-learning technologies. This study assessed, evaluated and analyzed the aesthetic qualities in Nigerian university libraries, their functional performances and the relationship between their aesthetic qualities and functionality. 644 respondents were purposively sampled across 2 federal, 1 state and 3 private universities, using questionnaires, observations and semi-structured interviews. This study revealed that while many libraries demonstrate institutional character and visual prominence, some lack contemporary aesthetic expression and user-centered interior environments. In several cases, aesthetic considerations were more focused on external appearance than on creating visually stimulating and psychologically supportive interior learning spaces. The results show the relevance of planning library spaces with respect to academic, physical, and psychological needs of the users. Libraries which focus on the comfort of the users, their accessibility, and flexibility are better placed to facilitate learning and academic achievement.