Examining the Influence of Use of School Libraries in Promoting Reading Culture Among Secondary Students
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- To examine the relationship between the availability of information resources and students’ reading habits
- To determine the extent of utilization of school libraries in secondary school
- To examine the relationship between the utilization of the library and students’ reading habit
- To ascertain whether school libraries promote reading culture among secondary school
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Information resources are necessary to enable the school library fulfill its functions among which are: to systematically provide information resources required for the school’s educational programmes and to assist in improving and increasing the reading skills and learning habits of students. Library resources are vital tools in education, it aids the teaching and learning process of students. The resources encompass all persons and things that are capable, in one way or the other, of conveying information, values, processes, experiences and techniques that can be used to actively engage ‘learners’ in the learning process (Akpochafo, 2003). The teaching and learning of students at the secondary school level, require diverse human and material resources. According to Odusanya and Amusa (2004), library provides an atmosphere for self education and self-development of individual student and public in general. It is expected to bring its services within the reach of every adult member of the public and every child in the school irrespective of their social and mental status; and also to provide resources of all types on all subjects for students at various levels and classes. Dike (2004) also opined that the modern school library stands at the very centre of educational programme of the school, it is often referred to as the heart of the school or as the laboratory of laboratories. This is because modern education is resources based; the resources for teaching and learning are to be found in the school resource centre which is the other name for the school library whose central mission is supporting the curriculum, furthering the teaching and learning programme of the school. The demand for resources-driven knowledge is expanding exponentially and this increase can be attributed to the global challenges for educational development triggered by advocacy for the provision of appropriate and modern innovative information communication technological devices that are regarded as the basis for the acquisition of higher levels of skills and qualifications for future development (Katz, 2001). The United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) among others, realising the need for availability of library resources in the learning environments have immensely contributed in diverse ways to the provision of instructional resources in Nigeria. While some organisations, according to Aina and Adekenye (2013), have helped to set up micro-teaching and language laboratory, others have assisted some states in Nigeria to establish resource centres. The importance of library resources was also stressed by Fayose (2000) when she explained that library resources are very vital to study and teaching. She explained that library resources are the resources required by students for their study. The resources, according to her, consist of recommended textbooks, books to support class tests, journals, past examination papers, reference books, monographs, while research materials are used by higher degree students and lecturers. Aguolu and Aguolu (2002),
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought examining the influence of use of school libraries in promoting reading culture among secondary school students
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information examining the influence of use of school libraries in promoting reading culture among secondary school students. 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Oredo local government of Edo state was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain examining the influence of use of school libraries in promoting reading culture among secondary school students. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of school libraries in promoting reading culture among secondary school students
Summary
This study was on examining the influence of use of school libraries in promoting reading culture among secondary school students. Four objectives were raised which included: To examine the relationship between the availability of information resources and students’ reading habits, to determine the extent of utilization of school libraries in secondary school, to examine the relationship between the utilization of the library and students’ reading habit, to ascertain whether school libraries promote reading culture among secondary school . In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Oredo local government of Edo state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made principals, librarians, senior staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
A reading nation is an informed nation. Poor reading habit has great consequences on the academic performance of every student. The development of reading habit of every individual should start from early stage of life for every student through home ( i.e. parents) to the school environment. The teacher has great role to play in developing reading habit by using various teaching techniques to motivate the student’s interest in reading, this will have great positive impact on the student educational performance. The librarian role in promoting reading habit is inevitable to the school system. The librarian role is very important by actively taking part in motivating the students and orientating them towards the various benefits that can be derived from information both print and non-print materials that are available in the library. Technology has really advance by using ICT in promoting reading habit of the students. ICT play vital roles in engaging children in learning activities especially in their developmental age and offers a wealth of reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read for lifelong learning. For any educational system to be effective and to ensure sustainable development in any nation, it is therefore indispensable to inculcate reading habit from the scratch in order to have informed citizens who will intellectually advance the nation to globally competitive level.
Recommendation
Based on the findings of the study, the researcher made the following recommendations which are believed will improve reading culture among students if implemented. They are:
- Adequate information resources both book and non-book information resources should be made available in the school libraries in order to influence the reading habit of the students. If children imbibe the habit of reading papers and other pleasurable materials in their early stages in life, they will continue in future and forming a good reading habit since it is not exam-based.
- Students should be given priority attention for effective utilization of school library resources. Students should be encouraged to use the library not only during the official time, but whenever they have need for it.
- Conducive environment can enhance students’ patronage to the library. The library building should be specious, well ventilated and attractive so as to attract the students’ use of the library as well as influencing their reading habit.
REFERENCES
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- Akpochafo, W. P. (2003). Resource management for effective instruction in Nigerians universities: some practical consideration. Journal of World councils for curriculum and introducing (WCCI) Nigeria chapter, 4(1), 66-76.
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- Elaturoti, B. F. (2000). Strategies of school libraries practice in the new millennium. Paper presented at the 2000 NLA Annual conference Abuja, June 25-30.
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