Roles of libraries in ensuring political integration

摘要

This study is a qualitative review on the roles of libraries in enhancing political integration in Nigeria. There is need to foster national integration from the political dimension through library which is a key information institution. This view is presented in terms of the library enhancing political consciousness and participation, federalism, democratic governance, and individual's response to political campaign messages. It is concluded that library as a social-based information institution is rightly positioned to function outside the box to meet the political information needs of the public and equip them to become better citizens that are politically inclined. Thus, the authors recommend that libraries should provide equitable access to political information, provide media literacy skills, create awareness on the need for political participation and provide rural dwellers with information to meet their educational, medical, political, economic, and social needs.