Public libraries in Nigena have failed to meet the needs of the majority of the population. This article examines the reasons why, and sets out a programme for the development of community information centres, serving both the urban and rural populations and integrated into multi purpose community libraries. The central public library service needs to support community- based libraries with services and provide a link to the worldwide network of information Changes necessary to the curricula of library schools to train community information workers are outlined. This article is based on a paper given at the 25th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Library Association, Abeokuta, March 1987.
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