Funding and provision of resources in public and private school libraries in Imo State: A comparative study

Abstract

The work discussed funding for libraries in selected public and private schools in Imo State as well as provision of resources in their libraries. The major aim of the work was that there is a corollary between funding and provision of resources such that the funding directly affects the resources of the library. The survey researchd esign was used for the study and Questionnaires and Direct Observation were methods used for data collection. Copies of questionnaire were distributed to a sample of Principals, Librarians/Teacher Librarians and Headmasters/ Headmistresses of four secondary schools and two primary schools (public and private) from each of the three senatorial zones of Imo State namely, Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics tables and simple percentages. The findings revealed that these libraries wo repoorly funded which has concomitant effect on their provision of resources. The study also found out that school libraries were not properlys taffed which affects library services delivery in these school libraries. The paper recommended enhanced funding by the relevant agencies;a dequate staffing and provision of adequate information resources amongst others, for public and private schools in Imo Sate in order to meet the expected educational target of the Nigerian National Policy on Education and the Millennium Development Goals.

Key Words: Funding, resources, public, private, schools, libraries.