A SURVEY OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN OHAFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ABIA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was conducted to ascertain the existence or otherwise of school libraries in Ohafia Local Government Area, Abia State. The research design was descriptive survey. The population of the study comprised all public and private primary and secondary schools in Ohafia LGA, Abia State, totaling 99. A purposive sampling technique was used to select respondents (Principals for secondary schools and Head teachers for primary schools or a staff in charge of the library) from all the primary and secondary schools in the LGA. Two instruments, a researcher-developed questionnaire titled, “Directory of Schools with and without Libraries in Nigeria Questionnaire” (DSWWLNQ) and observation checklist were used to collect data from the respondents. Accordingly, 99 copies of the questionnaire were personally administered on all the respondents from the schools over a period of 4 weeks. All the administered questionnaire was completed, returned and used for the analysis. Collected data was presented in tables and analysed using frequency counts, simple percentage and mean value. For questions with four-point Likert scale type of measurement, a Criterion mean of 2.50 was considered the acceptable criterion for positive responses. Any item in the questionnaire that yielded a mean score of 2.50 and above was regarded as a positive response, while any item with a mean score below 2.50 was regarded as negative response. Data analysis was based on the individual research question. Findings of the study revealed that 44 (44%) of schools in Ohafia LGA have libraries, while 55 (55) have no libraries; many of the school libraries were not functional by every indices of functionality; most school libraries in Ohafia LGA were located in part of classroom; the sources of library materials were mainly through donations, as none of the schools provided annual budget for acquisition of library resources; school libraries in Ohafia were found to be managed by unqualified staff, as few of the libraries which staff assigned to them were not librarians. Other major problems facing the libraries were poor funding from establishing authorities, and inadequate government support among others. The study therefore, recommends the establishment of functional libraries as a prerequisite for the establishment of both primary and secondary school in Ohafia LGA in line with Section 8 of the National Policy on Education, and the provision of adequate funding for the libraries by providing and implementing annual budget for the libraries, among others. 

Keywords: Survey, school libraries, Ohafia Local Government Area