ABSTRACT
This
study investigated the teachers and students’ use of school and class libraries
for developing reading culture in senior secondary schools. The study employed
a descriptive survey research design. An instrument titled: Teachers and students’ use of school and
class libraries for developing reading culture in senior secondary schools
(TSUSCLDRCSS) was used to collect relevant data for the study. The ten (10)
secondary school involved were selected based on stratified sampling technique method and the statistical
tools employed to analyse the data collected were percentages while the
inferential statistics of chi-square(x2) was used to test the stated
hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. 200 sample sizes were used for the
study. Four (4) research questions and
four (4) research hypotheses were designed and formulated for the purpose of
the study. The study revealed that there was a significant influence of school
library in promoting reading culture among SSS teachers and students. It also
revealed that there was a significant difference between the availability of
books and the school library. The study also revealed that there was a
significant influence of school library materials on SSS students and teachers.
The study further revealed that there was significant difference between
factors militating against the SSS teachers and students in developing reading
culture in Lagos State. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations
and suggestions were made for students, parents, lecturers and university
administrators and relevant agencies for further research.
Keywords: Use of Libraries, Developing Reading
Culture, Availability of Books, Class Libraries
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract v
Table of
Contents vi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 4
1.3 Purpose
of the Study 5
1.4
Research Questions 5
1.5
Research Hypotheses 6
1.6
Significance of the Study 6
1.7 Limitation of Study 7
1.8
Operational definition of terms 7
CHAPTER
TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0
Introduction 9
2.1
The Concept of Reading Culture 10
2.2
Libraries and the Promotion of
Reading Culture in Nigeria 13
2.3
The concept of School Library 13
2.4
Reading Culture and Educational
Development 17
2.5
State of School Libraries in Nigeria 18
2.6
School Libraries and Secondary
Education 20
2.7
Strategies for Promoting Reading
Habits and Creating Literate Society 22
2.8
Reading Habit and Availability of
Books in the Library 25
2.9 The factors Militating against Promotion
of Reading Culture in Secondary 28
Schools
2.10
Steps to Promotion of Reading Culture
in Secondary 39
2.11
Summary of Literature Review 43
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction 44
3.1 Research Design 44
3.2
Population 44
3.3
Sample and Sampling Technique 44
3.4
Research Instrument 45
3.5
Validity of the Research Instrument 45
3.6
Reliability of the Instrument 46
3.7
Method of Data Collection
46
3.8 Data
Analysis 46
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS OF PRESENTATION
OF DATA
4.1 Introduction 47
4.2 Respondents’
Gender and Age Range 47
4.3 Hypotheses Testing 54
4.4 Summary of Findings 59
4.5
Discussion of Findings 59
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION
OF FINDINGS, SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1
Introduction 63
5.2
Summary of the Study 63
5.3 Conclusions 64
5.4
Recommendations 66
5.5 Suggestion for Further Studies 66
REFERENCES 68
APPENDIX 72
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.2
Background
to the Study
The
concept of school libraries has become a subject of renewed interest for
researchers and educationists alike both nationally and internationally
(Walker, 2005). Researchers have indicated some definitive concepts with
respect to the use of school libraries. The library provides physical or digital access to material, and may be
a physical building or room, or a virtual space, or both. A library's
collection can include books, periodicals, newspapers,
manuscripts, films,
maps, prints,
documents, microform,
CDs, cassettes, videotapes,
DVDs, Blu-ray Discs,
e-books, audio books,
databases,
and other formats. Libraries range in size from a few shelves of books to
several million items. In
the 21st Century, the role of the School Library is imperative to the teaching
and learning program of a school. The main goal of the library is to encourage the development of lifelong
learning in our students, by promoting a reading culture and developing sound
research skills (Akinbode, 2005).
All over the world libraries are dedicated to providing
free and equitable access to information for all, be it in written, electronic
or audiovisual form. They play a key role in creating literate environments and
promoting literacy by offering relevant and attractive reading material for all
ages and all literacy levels and by offering students, teachers and family
literacy classes. They embrace the social responsibility to offer services that
bridge social, political and economic barriers, and traditionally make a
special effort to extend their services to marginalized people. Libraries
assist in finding, using and interpreting appropriate information that opens up
opportunities for lifelong learning, literacy enhancement, informed
citizenship, recreation, creative imagination, individual research, critical thinking,
and ultimately, empowerment in an increasingly complex world (Amucheazu, 2006).
Reading
is an activity which helps to develop the mind and personality of human beings
and ultimately enriches their intellectual lives. As students learn to enjoy
reading; learning becomes relevant and in that way improves their reading
culture and self concept. Reading helps readers have mastery of their lives,
and situations in life. Examples of how
people in the books managed their situations give students knowledge of how to
cope with similar situations. According to Elaturoti (2011), students can only
achieve their potentials in life if they have developed interest in the use of
their school or class library. This is because reading helps an individual to
achieve greater control, increased independence and a greater sense of self
worth and belonging (Meribe, 2005).
Apart
from provision of reading materials, school libraries provide reading
programmes that motivate students to read for pleasure. Reading culture are reading activities school
or class libraries provide to create awareness of the collection and motivate
students to read for pleasure and academic achievement. They are reading
experiences provided in the school or class library to encourage students’ use
of the collection and inculcate voluntary reading cultures in students. The reading programme include display,
exhibition, access to reading materials, lending of books, storytelling,
debate, book talks (Carbo and Cole, 2005). Engaging students in variety of
reading experiences through book talks, readers’ theatre, and storytelling will
help students develop habit of listening, comprehension and recall. Students’ participation in debate and book
club will challenge them to read widely and seek information in the library.
Asiabaka (2008), maintained that school facilities management play a pivotal
role in the actualization of educational goals and objectives by satisfying the
physical and emotional needs of the staff and students. School records are an
important means of accountability because they provide proof.
Library seeks to promote a reading
culture in the students, teachers and the Community.
Reading for enjoyment is encouraged through the library’s extensive fiction collection, which includes
graphic novels and a range of general interest magazines.
Library also plays a vital role in supporting
the teaching and learning program of the School. Access to a wide range of
relevant resources and equipment is available from the Library, via the
catalogue. The Library team collaborates with classroom teachers to
develop information literacy skills, making use of the excellent facilities
provided in the Library Learning Space and appropriate online databases. Lack of interest in reading among students is one of the causes of low
education quality in Nigeria. In
fact, reading is a source of knowledge. Teachers should not only focus in
teaching in classrooms, but in motivating students to improve their knowledge
(Bassey, 2006). Although the main purpose of a library is a source of knowledge, it is
more often used as place to store books. Students still prefer to choose other
activities than reading books in a school or class library.
The
issue of poor reading culture in the Nigerian society cannot be overemphasized.
Because reading makes great people and great nations, the researchers were
moved to carry out this study to see how far the use of school library programs
can go in promoting the dilapidating reading culture which is getting worse.
Providing equity of access to reading resources, engaging authors’ visits, and
supporting books fairs, exhibition and displays are means to building lifelong
readers. Specifically reading culture
promotion is one of the cardinal roles of school library (Dike, 2008). Four out of the nine contributions expected
of the school libraries in Nigeria are on reading development. According to the Minimum Standard; libraries
promote the development of reading skills and encourage long term learning
habits through reading, listening to and viewing a variety of learning
materials. Reading culture form the key
to continuous success in school as well as personal enrichment of the
teachers/students. Libraries also provide opportunities for further reading and
use of materials other than prescribed classroom textbooks. Stimulate research
and independent study by providing a wide variety of materials so that it does
not only supply information in printed form, but also in pictures, films, tapes
etc. This makes learning more exciting.
It provide materials for recreation and encourage teachers/students to read for
pleasure. Free voluntary reading also
helps students in the acquisition of other language skills, success in their
academic, improved reading ability, vocabulary knowledge, emotional stability,
enjoyment of leisure hours, and increased knowledge of political, economical
and social issues in his environment. (Sandars, 2007). The study is therefore
going to look into the teachers and students use of school libraries for
developing reading culture in secondary school.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Most
secondary schools in Nigeria are facing non-availability of properly
established libraries and proper literacy programmes (Ajumobi, 2004). Even those that may have library facilities,
these are either poorly stocked or have outdated books which may not inspire
students to read. Lack of school libraries or poorly established libraries have
a negative impact on literacy levels of students. The non-availability of
library resources in most case often force students to read only what they are
taught by teachers during class. (Tella,
Ayeni and Popoola, 2007). Many factors are responsible for the
decline in students’ use of school libraries and reading culture in our
society. Some of these factors include unfamiliarity with reading on the part
of many students, inadequate development of reading skills amongst students,
lack of continuity with reading programmes on the part of the teachers, and
language interference, amongst others. The distraction by the fallout from
technological innovation in the world today, such as the easy availability of
the entertainment media, games and gambling, the inadequate funding of
educational institutions including funding of libraries and e-library units.
Also, through the
introduction of information and communication technologies, students are seen
carrying their phones and texting messages, listening to music, yahoo yahoo,
etc. They neither study nor read and thus are getting deformed. Their command
of English language is poor, so also is their vocabulary and diction. All these
are because they do not read anymore (Akinbola, 2007).
The teachers should provide assignments
that require students to use library resources so as to spread the culture of
reading beyond the library walls; the teachers as well as school administrators
must understand the need for a culture of reading in schools to support the
recreational reading lives of students and to develop the reading habit in our
students, preparing them for future academic success and lifelong literacy and
learning. It is a concern that many students do not choose to read, and teachers
need to work to build and maintain a strong culture of reading in schools so
that students do not just learn to read at school, but choose to read in their
free time as well. This
study intends to look into teachers and students’ use of school
and class libraries for developing reading culture in senior secondary
schools.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
This study intends to look into teachers
and students’ use of school and class libraries for developing reading culture
in senior secondary schools.
Therefore, the study specifically
intends:
1.
To look into the use of school library in
promoting reading culture among the SSS teachers and students.
2.
To examine the availability of books in
the school library.
3.
To examine the relevance of school library
materials to SSS students and teachers.
4.
To find out factors militating against the
SSS teachers and students in developing reading culture in Lagos State
1.4 Research Questions
2
How do teachers and students use school
library in promoting their reading culture?
2.
To what extent are books available in
school library?
3.
To what extent is the relevance of school
library materials to SSS students and teachers?
4.
What are the factors militating against
the SSS students and teachers in developing reading culture in Lagos State?
2.5
Research
Hypotheses
HO:1.
There is no significant influence of
school library in promoting reading culture among SSS teachers and students.
HO:2. There is no significant difference between the
availability of books and the school library.
HO:3.
There is no significant influence of school library materials on SSS students
and teachers.
HO:4 There is no
significant difference between factors militating against the SSS teachers and students in developing reading culture in
Lagos State.
1.6 Significance of the Study
It
is expected that the study will assist and provide proper interventions by the
Government through the Ministry of Education to help influence the need for
reading and developing an interest for reading at an early stage through the
provision of properly established school libraries, that the results of the
research will be useful to: the policy makers in government by providing
insight into library impact on schools in terms of literacy and development of
a reading culture and the importance of having qualified librarians to ably
undertake this task.
The
study will also provide information that may be used by government and school
managers to support the establishment of well stocked school libraries with
adequate reading materials and facilities for students and teachers.
It
is also hoped that the results of this study will promote the concerted efforts
of parents, teachers and librarians in assisting students, at an early age, to
absorb a sustained reading culture. Ultimately, this study will bring out the
benefits that students and teachers obtain from the provision of a school
library so that future projects of building schools should include libraries.
It
is also hoped that the research will, in this regard, further help contribute
to improving literacy programmes and library services in schools to help
achieve the 2nd millennium development goal as reading culture promotes an
informed citizenry that is able to influence development by making informed
decisions in matters of governance.
Lastly,
it is hoped that the research will open up new avenues for further research to
be conducted.
1.7 Limitation of Study
The
study will be constrained by time, finance and mobility. The study will cover
only four senior secondary schools in Mainland local Government Area of Lagos
State. The study will covers the school library in promoting reading culture,
availability of books and the school library, school library materials and
factors militating against the SSS teachers and students in developing reading
culture.
1.8 Operational definition of terms
Reading
- is an activity which helps to develop the mind and personality of human
beings and ultimately enriches their intellectual lives
Reading Culture
- a way of life where reading is regarded as highly appreciated and valued by
members of a given community, in this case the school community.
School Librarian
- a professionally qualified librarian employed to operate a library within a
school.
Class Library:
a collection of sources of information and similar resources, made accessible
to a defined classroom for reference or borrowing.
School Library:
is an information on services, which provide physical or digital access to
materials, and may be a physical building, or a virtual space, or both.
Developing Reading Culture: is
a sustained regime of reading textual and non-textual materials for the purpose
of broadening the horizon of knowledge within and outside one’s disciplinary
interest.
Login To Comment