Influence of Library and Information Services on Attainment of Millennium Development Goals on Education: A Case Study of Oyo State, Nigeria
AMUSAN, David Adeleye; OYETOLA, Solomon Olusegun; OGUNMODEDE, Thomas Ayinla

Abstract
The Millennium Development Goals are eight goals set by world leaders to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world’s main development challenges. The goals include those dedicated to eradicating poverty, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, ensuring environmental sustainability and developing a global partnership for development. This study examined the influence of library and information services on attainment of millennium development goals (MDGs) on Education in Oyo State, Nigeria. The study population comprised 50 personnel from Oyo State Ministry of Education, 5 public library managers, 11 primary school library and resource center librarians and 50 secondary school librarians who were randomly chosen using stratified random sampling. The instruments used to collect data for the study were 2 sets of questionnaires. One set of the questionnaire was for the senior staff of ministry of education. The second set of questionnaire was for the public library managers and school librarians which requested for information on the influence of library and information services on attainment of MDGs education in Oyo State. Data were analyzed using descriptive research method. The findings revealed that library and information services are relevant to attainment of MDGs on education though the level of development of school libraries in the state was low. Some of the contributions of library and information services include; incorporation of library period into the school timetable, assisting the subject teachers to acquire relevant reference materials, provision of instructional materials and audio visual materials, promotion of reading habit, promotion of literacy rate, increase in school enrolment. Information repacking, awareness campaign, human resources development, mobile library and outreach services and capacity building are the identified strategies that libraries can adopt to ensure attainment of MDGs by 2015. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the state government should establish more branches of the state public library at the nukes and crannies of the state most especially, in the rural areas. Standard school libraries should be established in each primary and secondary schools in the state with adequate budgetary allocation provided. Qualified librarians should also be employed to manage the public and school libraries in the state.

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