Abstract:
Problem Statement: Libraries as public information agencies act as catalysts that
provide reliable information that empowers people in making the right decision in terms
of development plans put forward by various sectors. However, studies on how and
where the society, access, and the use of relevant information that empower them to
contribute positively in these sectors are inadequately reported in scholarly literatures.
Purpose: This study in particular reports the role of libraries in community
empowerment and the challenges faced by libraries in the dissemination of information
for community empowerment. Method: This study is a scoping and a literature review of
the role of libraries in community empowerment. The study adopted Arksey and O’
Malley framework. Google scholar, JSTOR, Ebscohost, Emerald insight, fullfreepdf, Eric,
Research4life databases, and Taylor & Francis were used as the main sources of
information. Results: The result revealed that libraries provide free internet access and
information resources. Libraries also act as information acquisition centre, community
empowerment programs as well as a centre for building capacity, and learning support.
The study also revealed that job dissatisfaction among library staff, inadequate facilities,
lack of commitment, lack of teamwork and poor relationships among staff, insufficient
knowledge and skills among library staff are some of the challenges libraries have to face
as an effective provision of information services. Conclusion: The study concludes that
there are countless and well established role of libraries in community empowerment in
various sectors like education, health, agriculture and technology. Libraries are the main
centre for information that contributes greatly to community empowerment through
building capacity and learning support.
