EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF USE OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN PROMOTING READING CULTURE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the study

The function of reading in the development of human life and his society cannot be overemphasized as it adds quality to life and is a pathway to the future. Simply put, reading is a basic building block for learning. It is a necessity for full participation in contemporary society. In effect, reading in its entirety and variety is necessary for being better informed. It stimulates imagination, widens views, expands horizons, encourages quick learning and helps in learning about different people and places. Generally, reading invokes curiosity and imagination that leads to skills for handling complex ideas and issues. In an age when browsing the net, playing with funky handsets and passing non-stop short message service (SMSs) seem to be the order of the day, reading a book in a peaceful corner of a library has become an archaic idea for most people.

While technology is slowly taking a steady control over individual lives, the reading habit is fast vanishing into thin air. The achievement of quality basic education in all countries in Africa call for development of good reading habits of both children and adult. This will change the stigma already associated with Africa as a continent with a “Poor Reading Culture” (Tella and Akande, 2007). The art of reading can be an interesting experience for children and adolescents if they are properly guided. It is a common saying that students are the future leaders, invariably; every child is a potential leader. To this effect, it is noted that leaders are made and not just born.

Ilogho (2015) argued that though most people may have the potentials to become effective leaders, it takes time to discover and develop these potentials. Until these potentials are discovered, the teachers must ensure that the students have good reading culture. Students training include teaching and helping them cultivate a good reading habit. Reading habit refers to the frequency of reading, and the average time spent on basis of growth and development. For the purpose of this study, the two terms “reading culture” and “reading habit” will be used interchangeably as they are mutually exclusive or inseparable. Nssien (2007) states that, reading culture is a process of building up positive reading attitude among students and children over time.

Although, when an individual habitually and regularly read books and other information materials that are not necessarily required of him to advance in his/her profession or career, he or she is also said to have a reading culture. One interesting legacy to hand down to students is teaching them to become life-long learners through reading and love of books. Once this culture is inculcated in them, their ability to study independently and excel academically will increase. Also, they can surmount future challenges in life when they have good reading culture. To promote reading culture among students, a library is needed in secondary schools. A library is a place of information or a place of lending information resources that leads to acquisition of knowledge. It is essential for promotion of reading culture in students. The information resources (reading materials) available in the library unveil an opportunity for the students to find information or reading materials and read by themselves. For the purpose of this study, the library to be discussed is the school library.

School libraries are those libraries in nursery, primary and secondary schools, and they are located in the school premises. Their primary aim is to support the learning activities of the school, and inculcate good reading habit in the students. No wonder why it is stipulated in the functions of school libraries that part of its role is to promote the development of reading skills and encourage long-term learning habits. Learning habits form the key to continuous success in school, as well as personal enrichment of the students/pupils. To enable the school library fulfill its role of promoting reading culture, it provides not only books but items such as motion pictures, video tapes, slides, educational materials, etc as library collections. It is also the culture or habit that enables one to imbibe reading and studying as a library include; fiction and non-fiction books and books on other subject matters. Books on current affairs keep them abreast of current happenings.

The school library is the child's first exposure to library use. The reason for establishing school libraries is for them to serve as a pivot for reading and promoting reading habit among school children. The school library brings together books and other formats of literacy materials and the readers under the expert guidance of a certified or professional librarian for the promotion of a sustainable reading culture. Apart from provision of reading materials, school libraries provide reading programmes that motivate students to read for pleasure. Reading programmes are reading activities school libraries provide to create awareness of the collections and motivate students to read for pleasure.

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1.2 Statement of the Problem

To enable the school library fulfill its role of promoting reading culture, it provides not only books but items such as motion pictures, video tapes, slides, educational materials, etc as library collections. It is also the culture or habit that enables one to imbibe reading and studying as a library include; fiction and non-fiction books and books on other subject matters. Books on current affairs keep them abreast of current happenings. On this background the researcher wants to examine the influence of use of school libraries in promoting reading culture among secondary school students.

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1.3 Objective of the Study

The objectives of the study are;

1. To examine the relationship between the availability of information resources and students' reading habits
2. To determine the extent of utilization of school libraries in secondary school
3. To examine the relationship between the utilization of the library and students' reading habit
4. To ascertain whether school libraries promote reading culture among secondary school

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1.4 Research Hypotheses

For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;

1. H0: there is no relationship between the availability of information resources and students' reading habits
2. H1: there is relationship between the availability of information resources and students' reading habits
3. H02: school libraries do not promote reading culture among secondary school
4. H2: school libraries promote reading culture among secondary school

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1.5 Significance of the Study

This study will give a clear insight on the influence of use of school libraries in promoting reading culture among secondary school students. The study will be beneficial to educational sector, students and the general public. The study will also serve as a reference to other researchers that will embark on this topic

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1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The scope of the study covers examining the influence of use of school libraries in promoting reading culture among secondary school students. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

A) Availability of Research Material:

The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study

B) Time:

The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

C) Organizational Privacy:

Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities

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1.7 Definition of Terms

School Library:

A school library is a library within a school where students, staff, and often, parents of a public or private school have access to a variety of resources

Promoting:

To help or encourage to exist or flourish; further: to promote world peace. To advance in rank, dignity, position, etc. (opposed to demote).

Reading Culture:

The acquisition of reading skills has a beneficial effect on all school subjects, including social studies, science, mathematics, and so on. Poor reading skill can make a child develop a poor attitude toward school and can create self-esteem problems later in life (Fosudo, 2010). Oke (1996)

Secondary School:

A secondary school is both an organization that provides secondary education and the building where this takes place

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1.8 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

• Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.
• Chapter two highlights theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.
• Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.
• Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.
• Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.