Abstract
Despite the growing adoption of social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, and WhatsApp by public libraries globally and within Nigeria, their utilisation have largely remained confined to promotional and informational functions, with limited emphasis on participatory engagement or service innovation. This paper examines the evolving role of social media in public libraries and interrogates the gap between its widespread adoption and its underutilisation as a tool for civic dialogue and collaborative knowledge creation. Adopting a conceptual and policy oriented approach, the study argues for the strategic repositioning of social media as an integral component of library service delivery in Nigerian public libraries. It draws on existing literature and theoretical perspectives, including participatory librarianship and communication for social change, to demonstrate how social media can facilitate inclusive dialogue, enhance community participation, and support co-creation of library services. The paper further identifies key barriers to effective utilisation, including the absence of coherent policy frameworks, limited digital competencies among library personnel, and infrastructural constraints. The study proposes a shift from routine, one way communication practices to a more structured, participatory, and policy driven model of digital engagement. It highlights the need for institutional commitment, strategic planning, and professional capacity development to fully harness the transformative potential of social media. The paper concludes that the sustained relevance of Nigerian public libraries in the digital age depends on their ability to embed participatory communication practices and leverage social media as a catalyst for civic engagement, service innovation, and community empowerment.
Keywords: Social media, public libraries, civic engagement, service innovation, participatory communication, Nigeria.
Publication Date: 2026-05-03