Public relations practices in the management of academic libraries in Abia State

Abstract

The study was set out to determine the nature of public relations practices in the management of academic libraries in Abia State as well as how such practice influenced the management of the image and reputation of librarians. The survey design was adopted to study a population of 157 described as all librarians and paraprofessional librarians in the four (4) government owned public academic libraries of Michael Okpara Federal University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State University Uturu, Abia State Polytechnic Aba and Abia State College of Education Arochukwu. The researcher used the census method or purposive sampling technique due to the fact that the population size was so small. After analysis of data, the findings showed that the level of public relations practices in academic libraries in Abia State was high. It also found out that academic libraries employed public relations strategies that were beneficial and efficacious to library users and the academic community. The research therefore, recommend amongst others that the management of academic libraries in Abia State should create standard public relations unit in the library so as to enhance professionalism in the practice and as well as to protect the image of the library.