Library resource factors as predictors of reading habit among secondary school students in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the extent to which library resource factors such as availability, adequacy and utilisation of information resources predicted reading habits of senior secondary school students in Ogun State, Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted while questionnaire was used as major instruments of data collection. Usable data were collected from 537 students. Findings from the study revealed the dearth of book, instructional and electronic resources as only textbooks and novels were found to be commonly available in school libraries in Ogun State for students' use. However, results from the study revealed regular utilisation of information resources by the students pointing to the fact that the students do have access to relevant information resources outside their respective school libraries. Moreover, findings from the study revealed that the students make use of the library mainly for the purposes of borrowing books and getting information only and do not make use of the library for studying and reading activities due to lack of availability of information resources relevant to their needs within the school libraries. Further findings from the study revealed that the students read mainly for the purposes of academic, information and knowledge acquisition thereby affirming their favourable disposition to reading. Also, a positive relationship was established between reading habits of students and availability, adequacy as well as utilisation of information resources, hence the library resource factors. Availability, adequacy and utilisation were found to have positively predicted reading habits of senior secondary school students in Ogun State, Nigeria with a 5.5%, 19.2% and 12.6% prediction level respectively.

Keywords: Availability, adequacy and utilisation of information resources, library resource factors, Reading habit, Secondary school students in Ogun State, Nigeria