By Achebe, N.e.e.
In the library and information sector, there are two methods of service
delivery namely the free service and fee-based service. Anyone of these
methods can be operated by either public or private sector. Rental
libraries and information centres promote information and national
development. These are also places where the library and information
professionals carry out private practice for skill development and
financial improvement. The following issues are discussed: rental
libraries as educational centres, conceptions of rental libraries and
information centres, rationale for rental library, types and their service
orientation, basic infrastructure for setting up rental libraries, feasibility
study and contributions of rental libraries to national development.