Librarianship and Sustainable Development in Hospitality and Tourism: Special Focus on Bibliotourism

Abstract

The contextual environment of library in the 21st century has given way to diversity of library services. The library has moved from the era of being a place where people come to conduct research or reading to what is now known all over the globe as infonomics; moving from the era of thinking and talking of library information materials as asset but, giving it the economic value that it actually worth. In the same vein, library, no doubt has prominent role to play in sustainability of hospitality and tourism development which has great influence on the nation’s economic growth and sustainability. Hospitality and tourism can be promoted and sustained through bibliotourism. This paper therefore, expounds the concept of bibliotourism and its influence on sustainability of hospitality and tourism development. For libraries in Nigeria to successfully court tourism to harness bibliotourism, concerted effort must be made by the government and all stakeholders in information profession to make our libraries centers of excellence and attraction. The paper therefore recommends that the library must be architecturally imposing exuding beauty and awe as is usually found of libraries in other nations and offer dynamic services and resources that catch the fancy of all people.