Diversity is a global phenomenon that characterise every institution including schools. Therefore, all types of libraries have been mandated to promote a positive attitude towards diversity. Despite the general belief that no group in the society should be marginalised or discriminated against when it comes to provision of library services, people still express their feelings about inadequate attention paid to diversity in Nigerian schools especially provision of library services to non indigene students. This study, therefore, was conducted to investigate the influence of knowledge and perception of school librarians about diversity and their attitude towards provision of access to library resources in Nigerian school libraries.
The study adopted survey research design of the correlation type. Convenient sampling technique was used to cover 169 library personnel working with children and youth in school and public libraries. Participants in this study attended the Annual Nigerian School Library Association conference held in University of Ibadan.
Data were collected using a questionnaire with a response rate of 100%. There were 3 research questions and three (3) hypotheses answered and tested at 0.05 level of significance.
Findings revealed that school librarians had a high level of knowledge and positive perception of diversity in libraries. They also had a favourable disposition towards provision of access to multicultural library services. It was also revealed that knowledge and perception of diversity jointly contributed positively to positive attitude towards diversity in school libraries.
The study recommended that government should provide adequate finance for provision of multicultural services and collections in libraries.
Keywords: Knowledge of diversity, Perception of diversity, attitude towards diversity, Access to library resources