Library services for rural women empowerment in Oyo State: a case study of African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centre, Oyo State, Nigeria

Rural women remain the most underprivileged group of the developing societies because of lack of empowerment. In the recent years, there are diverse government and non-governmental organisations and initiatives aimed at empowering rural women in order to alleviate their sufferings yet a lot of rural women are not empowered. Information is recognized as power, a critical resource and sine-qua non for true empowerment and library is an important store house of information. This paper discusses theoretical roles of libraries to rural dwellers and the importance of information in empowerment. The study adopted a qualitative approach with case study research method. Data was collected from twelve rural women (users) and four members of the management of African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centre (AHRLC) through interview, focus group and inspection of AHRLC facilities. AHRLC is a private library situated at Adeyipo, a village in Lagelu local government area of Oyo State Nigeria The findings of the study revealed that library services such as education support services (literacy programme, reading programme, seminars and talks), economic support services (workshops and demonstration farms), culture and recreation support services were available at AHRLC and utilized by rural women at Adeyipo and its environs. Subsequently, AHRLC was perceived by rural women as solution, civilization and all purpose centre. However, lack of funds, electricity, trained manpower and motorable road were major challenges facing AHRLC. Finally, some recommendations were made as way out of the challenges.