Information Needs and Services of Legislators in Legislative in North Central North-Central State of Nigeria in a Recessed Economy

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine information needs and services of legislators in legislative libraries in North Central States of Nigeria in a recessed economy. The study was directed by three objectives, three research questions. The study adopted descriptive research deign. The population for the study was one hundred and fifty-four (154) legislators from the six (6) States Houses of Assembly in North Central Nigeria. The entire population of legislators were adopted for the study. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Frequency, percentages mean and standard deviation were used for data analysis. Findings from the study revealed that the information needs of legislators is mostly on legislative matters, constituency matters, laws and the constitution etc. while information services rendered to the legislatures are References Services, Current Awareness Services, Selection Dissemination Services, Research Services, etc. The challenges faced by the legislators were; unavailable resources and services of the library that will cater for the information needs of the legislators, improving the knowledge and skills of the legislators through user education programs and contractors handling the building of the house of assembly complex should be advised to centrally locate the library building so that the users of the library can easily walk into the library from their various offices.