Impact of Climate Change on Information Service Delivery in Selected Libraries in Kwara State

Abstract

The study examined the impact of climate change on service delivery in the National Library of Nigeria, Ilorin; University of Ilorin Library; and National Stored Products Research Institute Library, Ilorin. The study was guided by five (5) research objectives and questions that sought to identify the level of awareness of library staff on climate change, the impact of climate change on information resources and library building, available plans and preventive measures against the impact of climate change on the libraries, and challenges faced by libraries in combating the effect of climate change. The population of the study was eighty-seven (87), hence, total enumeration was used for the study. Seventy-four (74) copies of questionnaire were filled, returned and used for the analysis. Questionnaire and observation checklists were used as instruments for data gathering. Simple percentages and tables were used for data analysis and presentation of findings. Findings revealed that the majority of the respondents are aware of environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, light, air pollution, greenhouse gases and global warming which affect libraries, books and information resources. However, climate change has the highest negative impact on books in the libraries studied. Climate change also affected the walls of library buildings, ventilation and temperature. The following recommendations were made among others: training and workshops should be organized for library staff on climate change and its effects on libraries. Continual rehabilitation of dilapidated library buildings to control the impact of climate change and finally, procurement of modern technological gadgets to curtail changes in climate.