scholarly journals CHALLENGES IN THE PROVISION OF SCHOOL LIBRARY SERVICES IN KATLEHONG SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 13-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindiwe Shandu ◽  
Neil Evans ◽  
Janneke Mostert
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
School Library ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Qualified Teacher ◽  
Information Collections ◽  
Teacher Librarians

This article reports on a study that investigated the issues and challenges in the provision of school libraries in secondary schools in Katlehong, Gauteng province, South Africa. A qualitative research method was used to conduct the study among 14 secondary schools in Katlehong. The target population included 14 teacher-librarians, 14 principals and one Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) official, who were interviewed. Additionally, 102 teachers participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). Convenience sampling was used to select the teachers, while purposive sampling was used to select all the other participants in the study. The study revealed that teachers are not using school libraries in Katlehong because they are unable to provide relevant information services due to a lack of space; out-dated and inadequate information collections; uncatalogued and poorly organised books; inaccessible opening hours; and a lack of funds and networked computers. Only 29 per cent of the schools had qualified teacher-librarians in their employ, while the 71 per cent unqualified ‘teacher-librarians’ indicated that they were managing the school libraries without the professional skills required to guide both teachers and learners in the use of library resources. The teacher-librarians were also burdened with additional teaching loads, which negatively affected the opening hours of the libraries. It was recommended, firstly, that a specific library period be allocated to each class to allow for library orientation; secondly, that sufficient funding be allocated to each school library to enable it to function optimally; and, thirdly, that library hours be regulated and qualified library staff be employed.

scholarly journals A Survey of Primary School Libraries to Determine the Availability and Adequacy of Services for Universal Basic Education (UBE) in Oyo State, Nigeria

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Belau Olatunde Gbadamosi
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
School Library ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Student Activities ◽  
Universal Basic Education ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Teacher Librarians ◽  
Computer And Information Literacy

Objective -- As a first step in gathering evidence, this study surveyed school libraries and examined the services those libraries provide in relation to the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program at a primary level. The purpose of this paper is to explore these UBE factors in relation to school libraries in Oyo State, Nigeria. Methods -- A questionnaire was sent to the 33 schools which have a library and information centre staffed by a teacher-librarian, in order to examine library services and the views of those providing them. The questionnaire covers library space, categories of library resources, student activities during library visits, mobile library services, and the teacher-librarians’ perception of the adequacy of the collection and the challenges in the use of library. Results -- Questionnaires were returned by 30 teacher-librarians out of 33, a response rate of 91%. Although pupils across each local government area have the chance to visit school libraries, the system of one short visit per week is inadequate for developing a universal interest in reading and in study skills. Staff responsible for the libraries consider many of the resources to be inadequate or outdated and stock is depleted as pupils borrow books, leaving fewer for those who follow. Conclusions -- As a first step to implementing evidence based practice, this paper describes the primary school library system in Nigeria and provides evidence on how it operates in Oyo State. Teacher-librarians who staff the libraries confirm the inadequacies in the system. They perceive collections to be inadequate and confirm that some pupils in the state have only limited access to library resources. Respondents also believe that they need further training, particularly in computer and information literacy.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF LIBRARY RESOURCES BY STAFF AND STUDENTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SOUTHERN KADUNA SENATORIAL DISTRICT

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-37
Author(s):  
Shafi’u Yusuf ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
School Library ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Orientation Program ◽  
Library Use ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
The Face ◽  
Senior Secondary Schools ◽  
Multistage Sampling ◽  
Senior Secondary

This study analyzed the use of library resources by staff and students of secondary schools in southern Kaduna senatorial district. The population of this research comprised all secondary schools in southern Kaduna senatorial zone. Multistage sampling technique was employed in drawing a sample size of 800 students and 400 teachers. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire and was tested for reliability using Cronbach alpha. The reliability coefficient of Library use scale was= 0.9. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that majority of the respondents reported that nobody encouraged them to use the library. While, respondents were also tried to benefit from all facilities of the library; borrow books from the library. In the face of using library facilities, majority of the respondents established that they visit the library not only when they have assignment. Based on the findings, the study concludes that organizing a series of lecture under user instruction or user education or library orientation program is required in public senior secondary schools. The study recommends that teachers should also mandate students to use the school library effectively; it can help attain high academic achievement. It was also recommended that professional librarians should be employed in public senior secondary schools to plan and execute result oriented information education.

scholarly journals LIBRARY AND INFORMATION RESOURCES IN RURAL SCHOOLS OF LIMPOPO PROVINCE: A SMALL STUDY

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-149
Author(s):  
Maredi Samuel Mojapelo ◽  
Jacqueline A. Fourie
Keyword(s):  
Rural Schools ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Small Study ◽  
Qualified Teacher ◽  
Access Information ◽  
Library Skills ◽  
Teacher Librarians

The purpose of this article is to report on a small study that investigated the availability of library and information resources in rural schools of Limpopo Province, South Africa. For the school curriculum to be successfully implemented, adequate library facilities, collections, staff and funds are required to support it. Data was collected by means of questionnaires directed to all teacher-librarians and principals in the high schools of the Lebopo Circuit, Capricorn District. The study found that most schools do not have functional school libraries. Converted classrooms serving as libraries are unorganised making it difficult to retrieve and access information. Some schools use staffrooms and storerooms to house library materials but learners cannot use these materials because of limited space. Unqualified teacher-librarians lack library skills and cannot guide learners to use resources. A few schools are without electricity making it impossible to operate electronic equipment. The authors recommend that schools should be provided with library-based resources managed by professionally qualified teacher-librarians to meet the needs of learners and the aims of the school curriculum.

scholarly journals Using Analytic Tools with California School Library Survey Data

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Lesley Farmer ◽  
Alan Safer ◽  
Joanna Leack
Keyword(s):  
Survey Data ◽  
School Library ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
State Standards ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Data Points ◽  
Cart Algorithm ◽  
Best Fit ◽  
Standard Library

Abstract Objective — California school libraries have new state standards, which can serve to guide their programs. Based on pre-standard and post-standard library survey data, this research compares California school library programs to determine the variables that can potentially help a school library reach the state standards, and to develop a predictive model of those variables. Methods – Variations of decision trees and logistic regression statistical techniques were applied to the library survey data in order to create the best-fit model. Results – Best models were chosen within each technique, and then compared, concluding that the decision tree using the CART algorithm had the most accurate results. Numerous variables came up as important across different models, including: funding sources, collection size, and access to online subscriptions. Conclusion – School library metrics can help both librarians and the educational community analyze school library programs closely and determine effective ways to maximize the school library’s impact on student learning. More generally, library resources and services can be measured as data points, and then modeling statistics can be applied in order to optimize library operations.

scholarly journals Empowering School Libraries through International Projects

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cláudia Sousa Mota ◽  
Bernardete Francisco
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
English Language ◽  
School Library ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
International Projects ◽  
Dear Reader ◽  
Ict Tools ◽  
Natural Way

School libraries have no limits, no boundaries, not even for those in rural areas, where cultural opportunities are scarce. In such cases, school libraries themselves become THE opportunities, THE hearts/souls of institutions, HOME for students and teachers engaged in a major journey with other European fellows. This is the story of “Yourope: You in Europe”, an Erasmus KA2 project, which, dear reader, you are about to get familiar with. By enrolling in international projects, you empower your school library and leave traces in your institution and in the citizenship sense of students. The use of the English language comes in a natural way; new ICT tools are used not as an end in themselves, but as a means to achieve certain purposes; the school library resources become fundamental to accomplish the planned tasks. Why did we choose the theme “Europe”? As we will explain in this article… because Europe is all about you and me, and not somebody else.

scholarly journals Reaching for the Top

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara McNeil
Keyword(s):  
School Leadership ◽  
Critical Literacy ◽  
School Library ◽  
Literature Circles ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
School Principal ◽  
Adolescent Boys ◽  
Literacy Engagement ◽  
Teacher Librarians ◽  
Literacy Research

This paper draws attention to the important role school libraries, teacher-librarians, and principals can and need to play in the lives of marginalized adolescent boys in order to advance the goals of social justice and equity, and to make school libraries more relevant to citizens and communities. As an illustration of how teacher-librarians can intervene in the lives of such students, the author presents preliminary insights from a recent literacy research project that involved a school principal, a professor/school library specialist, and a professor in school leadership. Using a modified, contextually tailored version of literature circles, the researchers explored ways of enhancing the critical literacy engagement of marginalized adolescent boys in an urban school in western Canada.

scholarly journals The teaching of information literacy skills in Botswana’s Community Secondary Schools

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boemo N. Jorosi ◽  
Goitsemang G. Isaac
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
English Language ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Interview Schedule ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Information Literacy Skills ◽  
Teacher Librarians ◽  
The City

The study investigated the teaching of information literacy skills in select Junior Community Secondary Schools (CJSS) situated in the city of Gaborone, Botswana. Data were gathered from a sample of ten teacher librarians via face-to-face interviews with the aid of a five-question interview schedule. The key findings of the study were: (1) respondents had varying interpretations of. what constituted information literacy skills, (2) a variety of skills were taught under the rubric information literacy skills; (3) by and large, the teaching of information literacy skills was done by teacher-librarians and subject librarians, (4) the main approaches in teaching information literacy skills involved library orientation and the use of the English Language Period, and (5) respondents cited the three challenges, namely, the absence of an office dedicated to school libraries, an exam oriented curriculum and shrinking financial resources.

scholarly journals Impact Study of the Teacher Librarian Specific Training on Educational Achievement

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Novo ◽  
José António Calixto
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Educational Achievement ◽  
School Library ◽  
Literacy Learning ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Impact Study ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
Specific Training ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Teacher Librarians

This paper presents the current situation of the school library teams’ specific training in the Portuguese Integrated Elementary Schools that in 2005 were already in the Portuguese School Libraries’ Network. Other countries’ studies, like the ones from the USA and UK, suggest that students achieve higher levels of literacy, learning and problem solving when teacher librarians have specific training to perform their duties. The analysis of data gathered from a questionnaire shows that 32% of the Portuguese school librarians do not have any kind of specific training. This scenario suggests that there hasn’t been any significant improvement since 10 years ago especially in what school librarians’ training is concerned.

scholarly journals The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic ‘Lockdown’ on Reading Engagement of Selected Secondary School Students in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-55
Author(s):  
Ibitola Oluwatoyin Adigun ◽  
Fadekemi Omobola Oyewusi ◽  
Kolawole Akinjide Aramide
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
School Library ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Reading Engagement ◽  
School Students ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Several studies have decried the non-existence of functional school libraries in many primary and secondary schools in Nigeria. This inadequacy in school libraries made it extremely difficult for school librarians to foster the culture of reading in students through school library use and reading promotional activities. Moreover, library hours are not included in the school time table in many of the secondary schools in Nigeria. Thus, reading engagement has been on the decline among secondary school students in the country. Despite these challenges, some studies suggested that students will spend more time reading if they have more spare time. Therefore, this study investigated selected secondary school students’ reading engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic school lockdown. It was assumed that the availability of time during the period would motivate students to read since schools were closed and movement was restricted. The study adopted an online survey instrument (Questionnaire) administered to the students over 3-month period (April - June 2020). This instrument was adopted because there was total closure of schools throughout the country, thus the only means students could be reached at the time was through online. The questionnaire was sent to individual students and school online groups. Thus, the study was limited to students with information technology gadgets and online presence. The result revealed that there was no significant difference in the duration of time students spent reading during the lockdown and when school was in session. It also revealed that students read textbooks to prepare for examinations and to keep sound academically.

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