ATTITUDE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARDS THE USE OF LIBRARY IN AKURE SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The library is the heart of education because the library is the centre of activity of any educational enterprise. School libraries contribute to the total development of teachers and students. It enlarges their knowledge and stimulates critical, imaginative and creative facilities. The development of any meaningful educational programme depends on the library. Thus, the quality of the library in terms of its holdings determines the product of any socio-economic and political development. Dike (1980) applauding the gradually evolving educational practice which tends to shift emphasis from the teacher to the learner, sees in the school library as a reliable instrument for actualizing this much derived educational reform.
Both library and education have not enjoyed universally accepted definition. Professionals in the field seem to look at them from several perspectives. The early idea of a library was that of collection of books containing knowledge and information that must be chained together and preserved for consultation only. Today, the definition of the collection of the library has changed. In a very simple way, the library today can be defined as the collection of books and non-books materials arranged in an orderly manner and made accessible to users. In this information age, a library goes to include the totality of human and organized material resources available, both books and non-book forms providing and obtaining needed information. The library facilitates the use of resources by a particular user or group of users for such defined purposes as education, recreation, awareness, decision making, management, research and development.
In Dike (1993) the relationship between school libraries and education, especially the way in which the school library and its resources can contribute to the education of teachers, children and youth was well established. From the discussion, it is clear that there is an intimate, inseparable relationship between the purpose and the role envisaged for the school library and the education which is meant to support learning. She further stated that the central role of the library is inextricably tied to certain idea of educational reforms. This means that learning takes place through interaction with variety of library resources, with individuals or small groups carrying out inquiries or projects under the guidance of the teacher librarian. In that way, the role of the library becomes central.
Education has been defined in many ways by different authors, Dike (1993) agreed that two themes emerged from the various definitions. 3
Education according to her can be viewed broadly as enculturation or more narrowly as schooling. To Olatunde L. (1985) education can be defined as almost exclusively for the satisfactory achievement of human purpose. It is the attainment of progressive non-selfish, good living in the human community; it is the wise, useful, profitable, helpful and progressive application of good knowledge, through high spiritual, moral task and physical disciplines; it is the bulk of the positive expressions which reflect on man, from all impressions on him; it is the continuous to and fro flux of actions and reactions – positive reactions between man and its surroundings in which a man and his surroundings interact taking and receiving mutually from each other; it is the overall goodness that man gives back to the environment which together with his own initiatives and intuitions, develop a man’s personality.
Education is the key factor in the development and advancement of a society. Each individual in a country should be considered as an asset because it is due to the overall contribution of human resources that a nation can progress and advance. To integrate each individual in the process of development and advancement of the nation, suitable education and training is very important. Since education and training of an individual is a life long process every nation must be aware of this fact, if proper directions are to be given to its people. To ensure that people get a life long education libraries should be made accessible and library services should be made available at all places, to all sections of the society.
It is crystal clear that successful use of library resources involves the positive attitude of both the school and the student. Attitude is related to behaviour because it‟s one reaction towards any occurrence which show how one has felt. It is also the root in individual emotions, behaviours and in socio-economic and political background. It is also important to note that adequate materials and personnel, as well as the good and efficient use of library resources determines the types of attitude with which the students regards their academic performance.
When people hear the term “academic performance” they often think of student success or achievement. Academic performance represent achievement outcomes that indicates the extent which a person has accomplish specific goals that were the focus of activities in instructional environment, specifically in school. In western country like California, the achievement of school is measured by the academic performance. It is one of the criterial for institutional ranking.
Therefore, it is essential to create captivating, inviting and comfortable place for the student in order to help them cultivate good attitude towards the use of library resources. Library, more than any other place, provides ideal environment and vital information resources for student to develop excellent performance in academic works. Thus, it is imperative for the student to cultivate good attitude that will equip them for excellent performance in their academic work through the use of a school library. Farrant (2012) notes attitude is a major determinant of the individual orientation towards his social and physical environment including himself. Africans and indeed Nigerians are not used to reading because the pre-dominantly medium of communication is oral. Africans are not reading society but chatting society.
In the light of creating a good attitude towards the use of library resources, student are often advised to have a particular study area, stick to a specific schedule and do one task at a time. However, school library provides a quiet study place and environment that is conducive to mental concentration. Adesoji (2010) cited Omoniwa who post that libraries have been associated with the concept of life-long reading and learning. It was stated further that library especially school libraries are desirable in order to inculcate into the student the student very early in life the attitude for various purposes such as education, pleasure, information etc.
Students‟ academic performance is predicated on study and reading skills. There is a direct correlation between student attitude towards reading and student academic performance, student would not be able to perform excellently in their tests and examination.
The national policy on education (2004) stipulated that secondary school education is an instrument for national development, general development of the society and equality of educational opportunities to all Nigerian children.
Libraries are as informant for children as education itself. Library services implies both availability and accessibility of library facilities and services to the use and the willingness and ability of readers to use the facilities and services. Information is power and access to information is indispensable to individual advancement as well as corporate educational development. Student need the library for effective learning for lifelong education in consonance with the National Policy on Education, Federal Republic of Nigeria FRN (2004), which states that, “the aim of basic education is equip individual with such knowledge, skill and attitude that will enable them to live meaningful and fulfilling lives contribute to the development of the society. Stressing the role the library plays in the environment of learning, Travaline (2005) maintains that today‟s library is like is big playground waiting to be explored and the librarian the best playmate: one who makes the playground worthwhile. Herbert (2006) agrees, saying that children‟s literacy develops and emerges as they explore and participate in a literacy-rich environment.
The Education for all EFA (2000) framework on action for meeting basic learning need argued there is a need to recognize libraries as invaluable information resources which must work in partnership with social and community workers. Obanya (2004) explains that library curriculum should be part of basic education for effective and excellent performance of student.
The National policy on education FRN (2004), from which the universal basic education commission (UBEC) derives it‟s establishment clearly states the objectives of Nigerian education and indicates that the philosophy of the individual into a sound and effective citizen and the provision of equal opportunities for all citizens at the primary, secondary and tertiary level inside and outside the formal school system.
Education is depended upon the libraries for successful implementation of its academic programmes. The primary aim of the education is to impact specialized and advanced knowledge to the student and enable them to acquire competence and the skill in various field of human activity. Thus the basic function of a school library is to assist its parent body/curriculum to carry out its programme. A library has been regarded as the heart of the school by dissemination of knowledge to the students, and the teacher. The users of a school library are teacher, student and administrative staff.
Statement of the Problem
The use of library services cut across all profession. Libraries are not themselves automatically valuable to users. Users need to be motivated to see the real worth of a library. There are various resources available both in the print and electronically the main purpose of these resources will be fulfilled only if the users are able to locate these information sources effectively.
Awareness of the need for the use of libraries resources has become very popular. In the library, a computerized cataloging system enable the use of centrally produce bibliographic records, other services offered to users in library such as reference services and reminder services via emails. Williamson (2010) contended that many students suffer low grade in schools because of their attitude towards their studies. Also, failure to use the school library and it‟s resources to expand their study has a negative effect on their academic performance.
Coming to this era of technological development the forms of resources has been distinctively transformed from printed books and journals to various electronic forms. Today‟s library has a challenge to broaden its resources and develop its collection in print resources as well as electronic format. Student of these generation are more inclined to digital forms of information they like to get information in a fastest way.
Therefore, this study examines attitude of student towards the use of school library in Akure South Local government area of Ondo State
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to:
1. Investigate the relationship between attitude of students use of school library resources and students academic performance.
2. To find out the effectiveness of library resources in their education.
3. To find out which library resources are more used between printed and electronic resources.
Research Question
The study will help to know if there:
Ø Are the professional librarians in the libraries?
Ø Are the school libraries connected on the internet?
Ø What are the attitudes of student towards their academic performance?
Ø How important is library resources useful to the student?
Ø In what ways do the attitude of student and use of library resources influence students‟ academic performance?
Scope and Limitation of the Study
This study is limited to seven (7) selected secondary schools in Akure South L.G.A whereby focus on the use of library resources for academic and development purpose. It also focused on finding out the student information seeking habit and the various technologies they explore to reach for the information while preparing for their studies. The study is limited only on finding out the student‟s attitude on the use of library resources and the other options they use to get the information they want.
Significance of the Study
The significance of this study is to have an insight about attitude of student towards the use of library resources . This research work will assist student to develop good attitude toward the use of library resources and use library resources to better their academic performance.
It will assist the government to identify the area of needs in provision of library service in schools based on the students response.
It will add to the body of knowledge on students‟ attitudes, use of library and students academic performance and also provides an idea for the other researchers who want to conduct research to see other areas to study.
Research Hypothesis
In carrying out a research work assumption are usually made so as to base the argument on them. The null hypothesis.
H01 There is no significant relationship between student attitude towards the use of library resources available and their academic performance.
H02 There is no significant effect of library use on students‟ academic performance.
H03 There is no significant relationship between the availability of library materials and the students‟ attitude towards the use of library.
Operational Definition of Terms
Below are the operational meaning of the major terms and variable used in the study.
Library: Library is a collection of sources, resources and services and the structure in which it is housed. The term “Library” has itself occurred a secondary meaning “a collection of useful material for common use”.
Resources: library materials such as printed and non-printed materials available both physical and online for the use of patrons in the school libraries.
School Library: a school library is any library found in secondary schools such as those various schools in Akure South local government area of Ondo State.
Electronic Library: the library deemed to be one in which the core-processor of library become basically electronic in nature which is likely to happen in through the wide spread incorporation and use of computers and the various facilities that they are able to make available.
Attitude: the feeling of the student towards the use of library resources in their school.
Academic Performance: academic performance is the achievement outcomes that indicate the extent to which a person has accomplish specific goal.
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