Abstract
The aim of this paper is to advocate for the inclusion of outreach programs as library services to
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. Specifically, the study identified the needs of
IDPs, evaluated existing outreach programs to IDPs and designed A Total Outreach Program
(ATOP). The research adopted archival method of research, drawing from extant literature
relevant to its thematic concerns. Data collection for this study was a combination of descriptive
survey and documentary research, featuring a critical analysis of relevant documents relating to
outreach programs to IDPs in Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted in the
sampling to get the sample size of 230 IDPs. The data analysis adopted was the textual analysis.
The findings of the research showed that the needs of IDPs were medical care, clean water, and
sanitized environment ranking first; education came second; accommodation ranked third;
clothing ranked fourth and business start-up ranked fifth. From the above findings, it was
recommended that ATOP should be planned and executed. To do this, there is a need for
concerted efforts of different societal actors. Public and special-experts librarians should,
therefore, seek to collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, civil societies as well as
individuals. Thus, ATOP is an outreach program proposed to provide an all-round service geared
towards meeting all the needs of IDPs.
Keywords:Outreach Program(me), Internally Displaced Persons, Advocacy, Inclusion,
Library services.
Publication Date: 2024-01-28