The acute shortage of books in Nigeria is due to the country's technological and economic handicaps. The prevailing process of technology transfer will not raise the book industry to a level at which it can adequately play its role in national development. Strategies for book development must address local needs and rely on local initiatives. Government, industrialists, publishers, writers, librarians and all book users should work together. The sustained support of government through industrial and information policies and practice is needed. The various sectors of the book industry should cooperate in the areas of training, research and development and in seeking political support for the industry. Cooperative efforts in writing and publishing will also help. The use of low quality paper for books of relatively low archival value should be adopted as a matter of policy to reduce cost and thereby improve the market and, in turn, the dissemination of information.
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