Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Initiatives Among Public Libraries: The Case of Imo State Library Board, Owerri.

Abstract

This paper examined Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) at the Imo State Library Board (ISLB), Owerri and the need to increase these collaborations for improvement of library services within the State in the 21st Century. Available literature yielded information on types of PPP options available to libraries and provided insight into ways of using these collaborative ventures to improve resources and services of Nigerian public libraries. The head of the library understudy was interviewed to find out the kinds of existing partnerships with the private sector. Results showed that collaborations or partnerships between the ISLB, Owerri and private organizations are presently inadequate and thus have not made the desired impact. Besides, the Imo State Ministry of Education controls the only significant cooperative venture with a private business organization. It was recommended that, although existing efforts at partnering with the private sector is commendable, there is the need for further collaborations with big corporate organizations for the provision of current information materials, commercial internet facilities, bookshops, printing/publishing services, and computerized services even if it involves charging some token fees. This is on the backdrop that a good number of the clientele would be willing to pay for library and information service if the requisite materials, facilities and resources are available,