EFFECT OF DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AMONG THE STAFF OF JOHN HARRIS LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

This study is carried out to investigate Diversity and Social Justice among staff of John Harris Library, University of Benin. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for the investigation while the sample was 100 respondents made up of library staff in University of Benin, Edo State. Relevant data were collected from the sample through administration of questionnaires (DSJASJHL). The data collected were presented in tables and analysed using simple percentage. The findings from data analyzed show that ability to offer services that meet the diverse information needs of the community, provision of reading list for leaders and managers to optimize their diversity approach, ability to serve diverse interests and communities, improvement in librarians’ recognition of other cultures are some of the impacts of diversity among John Harris library staff;some of the effects of social justice among staff of John Harris Library on students and the university community include; easy access to library information, students and the community become more aware about their rights, it improves students educational careers and the general interests of the society, students are able to approach librarians for assistance and contribute to the general welfare of society; the roles of librarians when it comes to social justice include; show of empathy with community’s social problem and provide assistance, create an environment where students and staff are valued, educate the community on the significance of social justice, provide the community with adequate and reliable information on social justice and create online library club and social platforms to promote social and academic interactions among students. Some constraints to diversity and social justice among John Harris Library staff include; lack of funding and support, availability and affordability of resources, lack of access to modern technology, lack of adequate professional advocacy by Librarians. Based on the findings, it is recommended that librarians should become more vast and knowledgeable about social justice in order to better serve their communities and render the desired assistance, more training on professional advocacy should be organized and attended by librarians to improve their skills, provision of adequate fund for easy affordability and accessibility of resources that will help librarians dispose their duty effectively and efficiently.