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Perceived Influence of School Libraries in Universal Basic Education Schools: A Case Study of Junior Secondary Schools in Benue State, Nigeria

Philip Terngu USHA, Solomon Achia UGANNEYA and Anthony Agena IGBASHAL

Department of Library and Information Science, College of Education, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the perceived effect of school libraries in universal basic education schools in Benue State, Nigeria. The study was guided by two (2) objectives and two (2) research questions. Thestudy adopted descriptive survey research design with a population of 100 respondents made up of forty-six (46) teacher librarians, forty-six (46) head teachers and eight (8) library staff from State Universal Basic Education headquarters, Makurdi. The sample size comprises the entire population as it is relatively small and can be effectively managed by the researchers. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire structured and designed by the researchers titled “Questionnaire on Influence of School Libraries in Universals Basic Education Schools” (QISLUBES). Data collected was analyzed using Mean and Standard Deviation and presented in tables. The finding of the study revealed that the influence of school libraries in universal basic education junior secondary schools in Benue State, Nigeria is low. The finding also revealed that there are various challenges associated with the development of school libraries in universal basic education junior secondary schools in Benue State, Nigeria. It was concluded that school libraries in universal basic education junior secondary schools in Benue State, Nigeria, can influence both students and teachers in the schools if provided, organized and maintained. The study then recommended that the government should make plans for a well-structured and more organized libraries in schools to support universal basic education junior secondary school programmes and that professional librarians should also be employed to man the existing school libraries in other to provide quality information resources and service delivery.

Keywords: Universal Basic Education, School Library, Library and Information Science, Library Influence, Literacy

How to Cite this Article:

Usha, P. T., Uganneya, S. A. & Igbashal, A. A. (2024). Perceived Influence of School Libraries in Universal Basic Education Schools: A Case Study of Junior Secondary Schools in Benue State, Nigeria. VillageMath Educational Review (VER), 6(1), 181-188. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14054276