MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICES: A PANACEA FOR GRASSROOT LITERACY AND EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

Abstract

Libraries exist to disseminate information to the users not considering their geographical location. This paper describes the Mobile Library as any vehicle that convey information resources to the users at any place and anywhere. Mobile Library service is an offshoot of the Public Libraries, School Libraries and other private parastatals or NGOs. Furthermore, this paper discussed mobile library services in the conventional library when physical resources were the only means of information sources and users were needed to be physically present in the libraries building before, they could access the resources of the library, books were transported to the users at their various locations through donkeys, bicycles, buses, van, containers and any other physical movable items. Furthermore, the paper enumerates that mobile library services metamorphosized into digital library services; during the era of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), the Internet and particularly the World Wide Web (WWW) have revolutionized library activities, hence, there have been changes in the normal functioning of Libraries in the digital world. In the present trend, mobile library services are now in electronic services (e – services) accessing information through e-books, e-resources, e – journals and other online services. Moreover, this paper highlights the contributions of mobile library services to the development of the grassroots and the vulnerable thus; Mobile library services aid the development of Agricultural products in the grassroot, Educational development of the grassroot and the vulnerable, Technological Development of citizens at the Grassroot and the Vulnerable amongst others were discussed in the paper and concluded that government at all levels should make a policy that would support mobile library servicers in Nigeria. It was recommended among others that public libraries should offer mobile library services in all local government areas.