ABSTRACT
This study examined the Use of library resources by secondary
schools in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State. To guide this
study, five research questions were raised. The purposive sampling techniques
was adopted by the researcher to select 200 respondents for the study.
Questionnaire was formulated and equal number was administered to the
respondents so as to generate data for the study. The data gathered was
analyzed using tables and simple percentage. The findings revealed that Current
curriculum text books, dictionaries, fictions, computers devices, journals are
available in the school library, teachers in secondary schools often use the
available resources so as to meet the curriculum requirement. Library resources
are being utilized in order to improve the school curriculum. Lack of fund,
lack of proper organization of the school library, constant power outage, poor
attitude of the staff, lack of professional trained staff are the problems
militating against the availability and use of library resources. It was
recommended that teaching staff and library staff should collaborate to ensure
that library resources along with electronic resources are appropriately used
by the students. The researcher also recommends that adequate resources should
be provided information so as to improve the use of library.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Academic environment is a place for
teaching, learning, research and knowledge creation. The library is a vital
facility for enhancing learning, teaching, and research, and as the hub of all
academic activities, is established for provoking intellectual excellence. The
library is an information resource that provides and enhances personal and
national development, and more so influence students’ overall academic
achievement. Thus, the effective utilization of information resources in the
library is critical to students’ overall academic achievement The availability
of relevant resources in the library determine to a large extent how well
students utilize information resources culminating in academic success. Fayose
(2001) pointed out that the library is essential to any educational
development. Availability of adequate library facilities encourages passionate
study behaviour in students early in life. It also helps students inculcate the
attitude of self-inquiry and self-development. Nkiko (2005), observed that
educational standards are being revised and improved upon constantly, including
educational competitiveness for high-achieving students. Thus, academic success
of students depends largely on the learning platforms available to students
including the library facility.
Aanu and Olatoye (2011) noted that
the quality of library collection has tremendous impact on student’s academic
performance and higher test scores and even more with a higher usage of the
school library resources. Lonsdale
(2003) reported that a good library that is adequately staffed, resourced and
funded could lead to higher students’ achievement regardless of the
socio-economic or educational levels of the parents. A strong computer network
connecting the library resources to the classrooms and laboratory has an impact
on students’ achievement. The quality of collection has impact on students’
achievement and test scores are higher when there is higher usage of the school
library.
The
library is a part and parcel of a school set up. It exists to serve the
objectives of its parent organization. The aim of a good school is to become a
force for educational excellence. Education is a life long process. A student
learns through formal education in the classroom but he can learn far more by using
the library. Once he is able to form the habit of using the library, there is a
great probability that he could continue the same throughout the life. A school
library acts as a initiator for library habits and reading habits more than
text books. Shortage of instructional resources
hindered effective utilization of school library. This is supported by Njoroge
(2000) in a study on factors affecting availability, acquisition and
utilization of resources in the teaching of English in selected secondary schools
in Nigeria found that unavailability of educational resources hinders effective
utilization. However, Kitheka (2005) noted that schools with abundant resources
may not always utilize them efficiently and consequently fail to raise
student’s level of performance. On the other hand schools with limited
resources may utilize what they have efficiently and this may boost learning
thus students should be able to maximize and utilize available resources so as
to adequately achieve educational objectives.
School libraries in the educational
institutions such as pre-primary, primary and secondary schools are important
to the life-wire and foundational up-bringing of children. This is because they
primarily stock materials that are of interest and developmental growth for
young, teenagers and youths of the era (Rasaq
B (2000) and Edeghere
(2001)). However such collections of materials, to an extent make provisions
for teachers, whereas the services are mainly aimed at pupils and students in
the schools. School libraries are known as learning laboratory for the school.
A school library is an academic library that supports school programs as well
as the teaching and learning process. School libraries serve students by
providing materials to meet their various needs and encouraging reading and the
use of libraries. Elaturoti (2000) describes the school library as a place
designed for provision of all kinds of learning resources. Fayose (2000)
defined school library as the part of the school where a collection of books,
periodicals, magazines, and newspapers, films, filmstrip, videotapes, recording
of different types and so on are housed.
Library resources refer to all input
utilized in the library in order to provide a good learning environment for
students, teachers and for the realization of educational goals. Library
resources are in two major categories, the human and non-human resource. The
human resources in the library refer to the library professionals, library
officers and library assistants and others. They are responsible for the smooth
running of the library and effective use of other resources. While the
non-human resources include all print materials such as; reference books,
dictionaries, etc and non- print materials such as ; videotape for instruction,
slides and other software for instruction the print and non-print formats
(Fakomogbon; Bada; and Omiola, 2012).
School libraries play an important
role in lowering achievement gaps and supporting at risk students on their
pathways to graduation if there are available resources to meet the academic
need of both teachers and students (Oakleaf, 2011). The fact still remains that
the successful and frequent use of library depends greatly on the availability
of the appropriate resources in the school library. To ensure effective
teaching and learning in our secondary schools therefore, appropriate and
sufficient resource materials are required for the made available for secondary
school curriculum. It is only by so doing that teachers and students will be sufficiently
groomed and equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies
that are expected of them at that level of education. Resource materials are
described as information carriers designed specially to fulfill objectives in
teaching-learning situation (Ifeakor,
2000).
The
availability of relevant educational resources enhance the teaching and
learning process in secondary schools. Teachers
require quality information resources in order to teach effectively; undertake
innovative research and use their acquired knowledge and experience to provide
expert services to the schools in order to turn out professionals and qualified
students who will be leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, libraries are expected to
provide such resources which when used effectively by teachers, would translate
into improved teaching effectiveness and quality products. Inadequate information resources in the
library can result in time waste and frustration. Such time waste and frustration
have the potential of discouraging, rather than encouraging library use (Orji,
2012).
Information
utilization is the practical and maximum use of library resources identified
and acquired by a user for the purpose of solving a problem or achieving a set
goal... The teachers in secondary schools are expected to use library resources
for teaching. Effective teaching could be achieved if library information
resources are correctly utilized to teaching functions by the teachers. Library
resources are of no value to the teachers until they have been utilized. The
quality of teaching, research, and community services of teachers in any
secondary school depends to some extent on availability and utilization of
library resources accessible in their school libraries. Resource availability
and usage are essential to teachers and students in the secondary schools
(Oyewusi, 2009). It is against this backdrop that this study sets to
investigate the use of library resources in secondary schools in Esan central
local government area of Edo State.
1.2
Statement of the problems
The
availability and utilization of school library resources by teacher and
secondary school students in Esan Central local government area of Edo State is
a matter of serious concern to every stakeholder in secondary school system.
The researcher has observed that there are little or no material resources for
teaching and learning in some secondary schools. library. The non
availability and use of relevant educational resources often leads to the under development of young school leavers that
are ill-equipped and not able to face their future academic challenges. In
addition, teaching processes is hindered due to lack of relevant materials in
the library for effective delivery curriculum. Most
teachers will not be up to date in their knowledge in their fields of
specialization and may likely not give out their best to students. They may
also not be in a position to compete favourably with their counterparts in
other schools when it comes to presentation of papers and seminars. Also the
inadequate use of school resources will not justify the large sum of money
spent on acquisition of materials ‘if provided’ and it will likely affect the
quality of teaching and learning in secondary schools. It may likely result to
production of half baked graduates. The researcher observed that most public
secondary schools in Esan Central L.G.A, lack school libraries and the few ones
with library are ill-equipped. It was
also observed by the researcher that the school libraries in the study area is
not adequately used by teachers and students. This is the problem which the
researcher feels that only an investigation will un-ravel the mystery. Hence the need to investigate the use of library
resources in secondary schools in Esan central local government area of Edo
State.
1.3 Objective of the study
The
main objective of the study is to investigate the use of library resources in secondary
schools in Esan central local government area of Edo State. The specific objectives are to:
- Find out
the available library resources in secondary schools.
- Examine the
extent school library resources is being utilized by students and teachers
in secondary schools.
- Examine the
extent at which the available resources have positive influence on
teaching and learning in Esan Central L.G.A
Edo State
- Examine the
purpose of using library resources by teachers and students in schools.
- Identify
the problems militating against the availability and use of library
resources in secondary school.
1.4 Research question
1. What are the available school library resources in secondary schools?
2. To what extent is school
library resources being utilized by students and teachers in secondary schools?
3. Does the available library resource have
any positive impact on teaching and learning in Esan Central L.G.A Edo State?
4.
What
is the purpose of using library resources by teachers and students in secondary
schools?
5.
What
are the problems militating against the availability and use of library
resources in secondary school?
1.5 Significance of the study
It is hoped that the findings of
this study will go a long way to reveal the actual state of library resources
in the study area. Schools and practicing teacher-librarians would need this
study to execute their library operation and enhance performance. Librarians in
training and library educators would find this study a worthy companion as it
would provide and enrich literature for effective teaching and learning in
schools.
The findings from this study will
also be of relevance to Secondary Schools Principals, Directors and Proprietors
of Secondary Schools would benefit from the study, as it would unmask the role
of the school library in secondary school system of education, especially as it
relates to enhancing education. The findings of the study would therefore serve
as a valuable working document in the hands of Educational Administrators in
finding a long lasting solution to the problem of falling standard of education
in the country. This study would also be of immense benefit to educational
policy makers and implementers as it would serve as a guide in formulating and
implementing relevant educational policies relating to school library services.
Students and general readers would find the study useful as it explains the
professional practice of school library thereby helping in creating more
aware-ness of the use and usefulness of school library and its maximum usage as
information resources custodian.
1.6 Scope of the study
The study examines the availability
and use of school library resources as a predicator of effective teaching and
learning in selected secondary schools in Esan Central Local Government Area of
Edo State.
1.7 Operational definition of terms
Library:
Library can be defined as an institution where information can selected,
acquired processed, store and disseminated to users.
School
Library: School library refers to an institution
within the primary and secondary schools where information resources like
books, journals, newspapers, magazines etc can be accessed.
Availability:
This can be defined in the context of
this research, as the extent at which information materials are made provided
or available for easy access by users.
Library
Resources: This refers to valuable information
resources that are available at the library; such as books, e-books, CDs DVDs,
magazines, games computers internet access, microfilms, maps and more.
Utilization:
It can explained as the level of
application of resources in library for user’s development.
================================================================
Item Type: Postgraduate Material | Attribute: 55 pages | Chapters: 1-5
Format: MS Word | Price: N3,000 | Delivery: Within 30Mins.
================================================================
No comments:
Post a Comment