Issues and Options in Selected Secondary School Libraries in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study was carried out to examine the issues and options in selected secondary schools in Akure Local Government Area of Ondo state.   A simple random sampling technique was used in selecting 10 out of 27 public secondary schools and 120 respondents utilized for the study. Findings show that the respondents are young, of both male and female gender, but mostly males, cut across all the educational fields. Though most secondary schools have school libraries, but they enjoy very low patronage and were not properly located.  Purposes of utilizing most of the libraries were for reading, borrowing and returning books.  other utilizations of the school library by staff members include marking and recording student’s scripts; discussions; prayer meetings; relaxation and selling of books. There were limited facilities in most libraries.  Computers, electronic media as well as internet facilities were absent. The school libraries were not found adequate in meeting most of the needs of the students and were found to encounter several challenges. The study recommends the given of  school library issues upmost attention by the schools and the government, building of new libraries in central places to improve patronage, reorientation of staff and students in terms on library usage,  prevent usage of library for other purposes other than academics.  Others are recruitment and training of staff.  The adequacy of libraries in performing and fulfilling functions and roles in the area could be enhanced through proper funding

Key words: Adequacy, Facilities, Issues, Options,   School library