Abstract:
This study was carried out to investigate attracting funds, grants and aids to academic libraries in
Benue and Nasarawa States through public relations (PR) activities. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. Five research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. A sample size of one hundred and eighty-one (181) library personnel formed the sample for the study. The sample size was determined using Yaro Yemen from a population of 332 respondents, the researcher employed the random sampling techniques. Instrument for data collection is a well-structured questionnaire. One hundred and eighty-one copies of questionnaire were distributed to library personnel with a return rate of 100%. The study used frequency counts, mean and standard deviation for data analysis. The results of the study revealed that public relations unit/officer are available in academic libraries in Benue and Nasarawa States; various public relations activities that can attract funds, grants and aids to academic libraries in Benue and Nasarawa States include: engaging with users and the public on social media sites, such as Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, blogs, LinkedIn, amongst others. The study found out that the various forms of funds, grants and aids that academic library in Benue and Nasarawa States can attract through public relations activities include money (cash or cheque), and donation of library furniture, amongst others. Challenges affecting public relations activities in academic libraries in Benue and Nasarawa States include lack of motivation caused by absence of staff remuneration, frequent transfer of staff from one library unit to another, amongst others. Solutions to the challenges affecting public relations activities in academic libraries in Benue and Nasarawa States include provision of a smooth two-way communication channel and improving staff motivation through remuneration, amongst others. It was recommended that university administrators must ensure there are public relations units in academic libraries and must ensure their activities are supervised. Librarians should make use of social media sites, such as Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, blogs and LinkedIn in attracting funds, grants and aids to academic libraries. Philanthropists, government and non-governmental organizations should contribute to the activities of public relations in the universities through cash donations, provision of equipment and furniture as well as training of PR Officers in modern ICT and social media
