Publication of Library-Related Articles in Selected Nigerian Newspapers from 2011 to 2016: How Much of the Media Reportage?

Abstract

Purpose: This study was carried out to investigate the publication of library-related articles in selected Nigerian Newspapers from 2011 to 2016.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopted content analysis as its research design. The frequency and prominence of library-related articles published from 2011 to 2016 in Nigerian newspapers were examined. Four newspapers were purposively selected from the best ten newspapers in circulation in Nigeria. A total of 8,644 editions of the newspapers constitute the population from where all the available publications in MOUAU library - 7,908 editions representing 91.5% of the population - formed the sample size. The instrument used for data collection was the code sheet while the data collected was analyzed within the context of the objectives of the study using simple frequency distribution table, percentages and numbers, for easy interpretation.

Findings: The results of the study reveals that library-related articles were seldom published in Nigerian newspapers. Out of the 7,908 editions of the newspapers examined, only 960 library-related articles were published. This represents one library-related article in at least every 8 editions. Other findings are that: the number of library-related articles published in the newspapers progressively decreased between 2013 and 2016; This Day newspaper published the highest number of library-related articles; and news articles constitute majority of the library-related articles published in the newspapers.

Recommendations: The study recommends, among others, that the Nigerian Library Association, the Association of University Librarians in Nigeria Universities, and other associations of heads of various libraries should, at their different fora, organize regular interactive sessions with the Nigerian Union of Journalists in general and the newspaper correspondents /journalists in particular to discuss, among others, the need for adequate coverage and proper placement of library issues in the newspapers.

Keywords: Library; Newspaper; Nigerian Newspapers; Library-Related Articles.