Partnerships Between Public Libraries and Schools for Promoting Reading in Ibadan North Local Government Area

This study examined partnerships between public libraries and schools in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, South West Nigeria, in promoting reading among primary and junior secondary school pupils. Collaborative relationships between public libraries and schools have the potential to reinforce classroom literacy instruction, expand access to reading materials, and cultivate long-term reading habits. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data were gathered from public librarians, school librarians, head teachers, and selected pupils through structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. The study found that formal partnership arrangements were rare, with most contacts being informal and initiative-dependent. Schools with active partnerships reported higher pupil library registration rates and greater circulation of fiction titles. Barriers to formalised partnerships included competing institutional priorities, poor communication channels, and absence of a coordinating policy framework. The study recommended that the Oyo State Library Board develop a school-public library partnership framework, designate a liaison officer for school outreach, and jointly plan termly literacy events with participating schools. Keywords: public library, school partnership, reading promotion, Ibadan North, library outreach.