Public Relations Activities in Academic Libraries: An Image Re-engineering Survey of Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library, University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria Public Relations Activities in Academic Libraries: An Image Re-engineering Survey of Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library

Abstract

One of the things that often need restoration in academic libraries such as university libraries is the image. This study was conducted to re-engineer the image of an academic library in Benue State through public relations activities. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The area of study is Francis Sulemanu Idachaba, Library, University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria. The population of the study was twenty nine (29) librarians. A total of 29 librarians constitute the study sample. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Data collected were presented in tabular form while descriptive statistics such as frequencies and mean were used for data analysis. Results show that librarians can ensure good perception of the Francis Sulemanu Idachaba, Library through building positive relations in order to streamline and improve library services. This can be made possible if librarians can ensure that the library identifying symbols can be used to enforce discipline on staff and users through jingoes on television and radio. Findings also reveals librarians engagements in carrying out needs assessment of users and deliberate effort of satisfying them as the major strategy for reengineering the image of the library. The study recommends among others that librarians should seek to adopt supporting lectures, concerts, and other events in which other colleagues are interested as another way of ensuring that the academic community has good perception of the library.