WAYS OF IMPROVING THE USE OF SCHOOL LIBRARY BY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This study examines ways of improving the use of school libraries by secondary school students in Awka South L.G.A of Anambra State. Four research questions guided the study. The design of the study was a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised all the S.S 2 students in the fourteen government secondary schools in Awka South L.G.A of Anambra State. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select a sample size of two hundred and fifty students from the fourteen government secondary schools in Awka South L.G.A. A structured questionnaire on five point Likert rating scale was the main instrument for data collection. Data collected was analyzed and interpreted using mean score rating. The study found that adequate provision of fund is necessary for the provision of current and up-to-date information resources and also for employment of qualified and trained teacher-librarian. The school libraries should be equipped in accordance with acceptable standard while the state government should improve its level of funding school libraries. The result also shows that students are not taught the rudiments of library and its usage. Teaching the students how to use the library will enhance their use of library. The study recommend that secondary schools in Awka South LGA should be properly funded to enable them acquire adequate and up-to-date information resources in their libraries as well as to employ qualified and experienced teacher-librarians.