AN EXPLORATION OF ALTERNATIVE LIBRARY SERVICES IN ENHANCING PATRONAGE IN THE DESIGN OF A MODEL PUBLIC LIBRARY

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Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
Public library as a place over the years has generated debate in literature by some interest groups in the library profession, some group`s are regarding the library as a “deserted library” no more relevant in this virtual era while others are maintaining the ground that the library is still a place to use for study, learning and research. However, the existing public libraries have seen a drastic drop in patronage over the years, these libraries were generally designed first and foremost as places to collect, accesses, and preserve print collections and thus, were comparatively static buildings.Alternative Library Services (ALS) is based on the principle that the library needs to provide a leisurely environment by serving various functions of entertainment and social activities.An exploratory research method was used to carry out the study while, questionnaires, physical observation and literature review were used as instruments of data collection,three public libraries were purposively selected as case studies; these are the Kaduna State Library Board, Kogi State Library Board and Lagos State Library Board. These case studies were chosen purposively to increase the likelihood of showing or expressing important variations of several features of the facility and can be used to illustrate an architectural style or issue. A sample of 105 respondents of library users were surveyed (35 people from each case study area) in which 4.The study identifiedthe following findings; 1) Three factors were found to be needed in providing ALS; These are Leisure Style Spaces, Human Touch/ Human Interaction Spaces and Collective Learning Spaces. 2)The available services in a library have a very significant influence on patronage. 3) The Proximity of the Library to its patrons is not as influential on users as the available services.The contribution to knowledge of this study is that it developed a framework for the design of public libraries to improve patronage. Based on these, some of the recommendations made are; 1)There need to be better consultation between the users, librarians and professionals concerned in the study and design of public libraries. 2) There is need for Architects to look beyond the traditional viii library spaces and to consider the changing needs and ways of keeping the library patrons. 3) More collaborations by Architects with the host community and other stake-holders need to be encouraged to improve library usage.