The anatomy and management of staff conflicts in a Nigerian university library

To achieve peace, harmony and stability in libraries, there is need to deal with internal strife ‐ both real and imagined. Brings out conflict from its closet in a Nigerian University Library. Examines the sources of internal conflict among staff, rather that the external environment. Addresses the issue from the destructive aspects of undesirably high levels of conflict in a university library. Results of the study revealed a bureaucratic structure, poor communication and organizational policies, and inadequate material resources as the major causes of conflict in the library. The close interdependency between units in the library has also been identified as a source of friction among staff. Provides evidence for the effectiveness of managing conflict through prevention, by means of improved communication and argues for a pro‐active approach to handling conflict.