USERS' CHARACTERISTICS AND CHALLENGES: A STUDY OF USE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN ONITSHA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated library users’ characteristics and challenges as it relate to the use of school library in Onitsha North Local Government Area. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 3,468 students from 16 governments owned secondary schools. 346 students were selected through proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected using structured questionnaire. Percentage and mean ratings were used to answer research questions while Chi-square was used to test hypotheses. The major findings of the study as it relate to library users’ characteristic shows that majority of students whose parents are traders and civil servants use the school library more than others; the students are mostly day students; the students’ residents are geographically spread. Test of hypotheses shows that occupations of the parents actually influenced their children’s use of school library and students’ subject of study does not seriously influence their use of library. The challenges to use of school library among others include issues relating to library location, collections, and environment. Based on the findings it was recommended among others that librarians should recognize that students share many characteristics, and as a result, all students irrespective of their parental background and occupations should be encouraged to make massive use of school library since it is a requisite to their life-long learning abilities.