IMPACT OF LIBRARY SERVICE ON READING HABITS AMONG STATE POLYTECHNICS STUDENTS IN NORTH CENTRAL ZONE

IMPACT OF LIBRARY SERVICE ON READING HABITS AMONG STATE POLYTECHNICS STUDENTS IN NORTH CENTRAL ZONE

(AN ASSESSMENT OF KOGI STATE POLYTECHNIC LOKOJA, KOGI STATE)

ABSTRACT

This research work was designed to determine the impact of library service on reading Habit among state polytechnic students in North Central Zone. The area of study is Kogi State polytechnic Lokoja. Hypothesis will be formed to guide the work. Data will be gathered through the use of questionnaire. The respondent out of the total department of the institution. The data gathered will be analyzed using table frequencies and percentages. The study found among others that the impact of Library Service on Reading Habits among the state polytechnic students in North Central Zone needs among others to be improved upon by the students. Based on this finding, the study recommended among others that students should be given adequate and proper care and services in order to develop and uplift Academic Performance.  

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Comprehension is at the center of reading. Reading is a process that requires the use of complex processes to interpret printed symbols as meaningful units and comprehend them as a thought unit in order to understand a printed message.

Through reading, humans have the tools to transmit knowledge to each succeeding generation; it allows one to listen to the wisdom and people of the age.

Reading is also a total integrative process that starts with the reader and includes the effective perceptual and cognitive domains.

Libraries provide access to reading materials through which schools, children and youths can gain and improve their skills.

It helps in introducing the use of reading for information, pleasure, passing examinations, and personal growth through lifelong learning.

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The library is the life wire of the parent organization. Its scope, purpose, aims are determined by the curriculum of the institution as well as various departments in the institution.

The Kogi State Polytechnic Library was established in 1993, in collaboration with its parent institution. The library is established in order to support the educational activities as well as to improve the impact of library services on reading habits or interest among the state polytechnic students towards their academic performance or services. Reading is the only gateway to success.

The level of the library service will determine the reading habits of interest among the students. However, I shall examine the library service among the state polytechnic students in north central zone, the rate at which the library service has improve the reading habits of the students shall be considered, the strength and weakness of the collection in the library as well as the library service rendered towards the habits of the student. More also, the factors that impact the library service on reading habit among the state polytechnic student will be considered as well.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Inspite of the fact that the Academic library is established to support the teaching of its institution as well as the curriculum of the organization, observation have shown that students still have some lukewarm attitude towards the usage. This factor jeopardizes the reading habit among the student. More also, there are some other factors that hinder the reading habits such as ineffective service rendered by the library to the students.

1.3     RESEARCH QUESTION

          This study is set to provide answers to the following question.

1. What is the present state of the library towards the academic performance of the students?
2. Of what impact is the service rendered by the library?
3. How qualified are the library staff in rendering service to the students?
4. To what extent have the students been allowed and encouraged to access and make use of their materials?
5. What are the problems militating against students in making a comprehensive access to the collection?

1.4     OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

          This research work is purposely designed to:

1. Know the present state of the library.
2. Know to what extent the library service has on the reading habit among the state polytechnic student.
3. Examine the impact of the services rendered by the library.
4. Know the strength of library staff in rendering service to the students.
5. Evaluate the strength and weakness of the library collections.

 1.5     SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY

The study will help the Kogi State Polytechnic library to examine the strength and weakness of their collection and the impact of those collections towards reading habits of the students.

The study will help the library to identify the factors hindering the reading habits or interest of the students toward their library services in academic performance. The study will also serve as a guide to other researchers who want to embark on similar topic.

However, one expects that under this heading, the student should be able to go out of his or her way and present the importance of his subject of study. Even though it is generally understood that the student places very high premium on the study since he has no option other than to present it to his department in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of ND, HND etcetera, still, he should be able to tell significantly to the progress of mankind resolve some argument issues or complement the already exciting information on the subject of review. It is therefore a foregone conclusion that the end-result derivable from my research work and its positive impact on the society and other prospective researchers make up the importance or significance of the study and should be presented in a convincing manner.

1.6     SCOPE/LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study intends to cover the impact of library services on reading habit among the polytechnic students in north central zone with particular reference to Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja.

The findings will cover the entire students of Kogi State Polytechnic Library, Lokoja on library services. These obstacles which come in various forms go a long way in identifying the research or project work, thereby limiting the students’ field operation. Prominent among such constraints are the following:

1. Time pose a great challenge to the researcher as she has to combine the research with other academic works such as lectures, assignments and other academic activities. This tends to reduce the time dedicated to the research.
2. Inadequate amount of resources may include difficulty in laying one’s hand on some essential data and document. It may also include financial constraints because every stage of the research work from the fields work to the report writing and the typing and binding of the project could be very demanding financially.

These limitation need highlighting because they do in more ways than one, have adverse impact on students research efforts.

1.7     OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

Keywords or idea used in any research work must necessarily have their own operational definitions, this is due to the fact that such keywords or concept resorted to in the cause of the study may be considered as special terms or technical concept. Therefore, they must be well defined so as to graphically drive home the importance of the study to the reader. As such the operational definitions of any keyword mentioned must be properly defined not only for the aim of clarity but also to improve and to enhance the time their definitions to sink into the minds of readers of such works.

1. Academic library is a library that is attached to a higher educational institution which serves two pairings objective to support the school’s curriculum and to support the research of the university faculty and students. Academic libraries serve colleges and universities, their students, staff and faculty. Because large institutions may have several libraries on their campuses dedicated to serving particular schools such as Law and Science libraries, academic librarianship offers a great opportunity to utilize subject expertise.
2. Reading habit is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life, and is not just an important professional skill.

The environment which the students find themselves also help in the student’s reading habit and interest. It is also a way to enjoy informative, creative, and inspiring work as of literature that enrich our life experiences. A reading habit requires time and dedication to develop. It is, however, a lifelong source of enjoyment and entertainment and an affordable hobby for anyone who wants to pick up a book.

REFERENCES

Colins, M. and Cheek, E. (1999). Assessing and guiding reading instruction. NewYork: McGraw Hill.
Okebukola, F.O. (2004). Reading key to lifelong development.