Environmental Literacy Influence on Pro-environmental Behaviour of Library Personnel in South-West Nigeria Public Universities

Abstract

Pro-Environmental Behaviour (PEB) is crucial in addressing global environmental challenges. However, public university libraries in South-West Nigeria do not engage in PEB due to high energy consumption and inadequate recycling programmes, which have increased their carbon footprints. The objective of the study is to examine the influence of Environmental Literacy (EL) on PEB among library personnel in public universities in South-West, Nigeria. Theoretical frameworks, such as the theory of planned behaviour and the model of responsible environmental behaviour, were used to anchor the study. The population comprises 444 library personnel across 12 public university libraries in South-West Nigeria, and a questionnaire was used to collect data. Reliability was assessed for the questionnaire, and the Cronbach's Alpha was 0.71 or above.  Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that the level of PEB in public university libraries in South-West, Nigeria, was high. Also, EL significantly influenced PEB (Adj. R² = 0.16, F(3, 360)= 24.63, p < 0.05). EL indicators: ecological knowledge (β = 0.184, t = 3.321, p = 0.001) and attitude (β = 0.240, t = 3.773, p = 0.000) were significant, while cognitive skills (β = 0.084, t = 1.226, p = 0.221) is not significant. The study concluded that environmental literacy enhanced the pro-environmental behaviour of library personnel in public universities. The study recommended that the university library management should implement focused green literacy workshops and practical training sessions on environmental sustainability behaviours.