Nigerian School Library Journal

Editorial

David F. Elaturoti — 2024-03-30

No abstract

Quality Assurance Practices among School Librarians for Effective Information Literacy Delivery in Selected Private Secondary School Libraries in Nsukka, Nigeria

Grace U. Onyebuchi — 2024-03-30

The study investigated the quality assurance practices among school librarians for effective information literacy delivery in selected private secondary school libraries in Nsukka. Survey research design of qualitative type was adopted for the study while an interview schedule was formulated to guide the study. The population of the study was made up of 10 school/teacher librarians selected across 10 private secondary schools. The data was analyzed using the responses of the various respondents in a descriptive method. The findings show that there is no existence of Quality Assurance policy guiding the school libraries surveyed. Information literacy skills education were not offered or organized in some of the school libraries. Challenges like lack of funds, poor infrastructure, lack of internet access and ignorance were established and strategies to enhance the application of quality assurance practices in information literacy education includes organizing a workshop or seminar to educate the school librarians on the importance of information literacy skills. Finally, the major recommendation is for school libraries in private secondary schools, Nsukka to have a quality assurance policy guiding the school library and introduce information literacy skills that would help the students and library users in the school libraries surveyed.

School libraries and bibliotherapeutic services for vulnerable children

Sophia Vivian Adeyeye — 2024-03-30

Bibliotherapy entails the use of literature to support the emotional, social and psychological well-being of individuals and has become a veritable tool for addressing the needs of vulnerable children through the administration of carefully selected books and other literary forms. Hence, for school libraries to be effective in meeting the bibliotherapeutic needs of vulnerable children, the services of trained professional librarians and therapists are needed. Bibliotherapy services can either be given through self-help reading or as a part of a guided therapeutic process with trained professionals; either way, vulnerable children are assisted through emotional expressions and validations, increased self-awareness and self-discovery, empathy and perspective-taking. To successfully implement bibliotherapeutic services in school libraries, trained professionals need to identify vulnerable children, make appropriate referrals, conduct initial and detailed assessments, and develop individualised plan of support. In order to ensure the overall success of any bibliotherapeutic services in any school Library, librarians and library staff need to be trained on bibliotheraphy techniques, as this will ensure effectiveness and efficiency in their services, as bibliotherapeutic services in school libraries are indispensable in addressing the needs of vulnerable children.

Beyond the shelves: An in-depth exploration into the preservation, conservation, and security of school library information resources in Nigeria

Abubakar Sanni Aliyu — 2024-03-30

This paper investigated the preservation, conservation, and security of school library information resources in FCT, North-Central, Nigeria. The study employed qualitative research design. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting eight (8) public and private school libraries for the study; and the instruments used to collect data were face-to-face interview and observation. The data collected were analysed using descriptive method. The findings of the study revealed that there is significant variations of information resources among libraries, with common resources available across libraries including; textbooks, novels, and magazines, while electronic books (E-books), journals, and specific multimedia materials are less prevalent in most of the school libraries surveyed. Preservation practices demonstrate discrepancies, with notable efforts in most school libraries while conservation measures lack digitisation efforts across all libraries. Security protocols vary across all the libraries. The study also revealed the predominant challenges such as book mutilation, theft, inadequate funding, lack of equipment/facilities, absence of preservation and conservation policies, lack of security personnel, lack of trained library personnel, lack of awareness and poor maintenance culture. The paper recommended that the school administrators needs to allocate adequate resources or seek external funding, provide staff training, enhance preservation and conservation efforts and reinforce security measures in school libraries. Implementing these recommendations can contribute to more effective information resource management in school libraries. Future research should explore digitization strategies and undertake longitudinal studies to assess the sustained impact of interventions.

Information literacy and information skills instruction: New directions for school librarian professionals

Benjamin Kenechukwu Nwobu — 2024-03-30

The paper examines information literacy and information skills instruction in the digital era by school librarian professionals. This paper explores the concept of information literacy, delves into the changing role of school librarians, emphasizes the significance of information skills instruction, and highlights the new directions that school librarian professionals must take to meet the challenges of the digital age. Going further, the paper underscores the indispensable role of school librarians in shaping the information literacy of students and their crucial position in the ever-evolving landscape of education. The new directions for school librarian professionals not only involve continuous professional development but also active collaboration with educators, adept use of technology, and advocacy for information literacy. By embracing these new directions, school librarian professionals can equip students with the tools they need to thrive in the information age and become critical, discerning, and responsible consumers of information. The paper indicates that the challenges that school librarians face in implementing information skills instruction are substantial, but the importance of this endeavor cannot be overstated. However, the paper therefore recommends that school librarians should continue to advocate for the significance of information literacy in education, school librarians should invest in their own development to stay updated on the latest information literacy practices and educational technologies and school librarians should work closely with school administrations to secure the necessary resources for information skills instruction, including physical materials, digital resources, and technology.

Assessment of Information and Communication technology resources provision in secondary school libraries in Gwagwalada Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Kolawole Akinjide Aramide — 2024-03-30

The paper assessed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resource provision in secondary schools of Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, Abuja. The population of the study comprised 82 school library personnel’s in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT while the sample comprised 34 school library personnel randomly selected from the 13 public secondary schools in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT. Data for the study was gathered with a research instrument developed by the researchers. The instrument was validated by two experts from the fields of librarianship and measurement and evaluation and trial tested using the test-retest method with four library personnel’s that were not part of the original study. The test yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.83 which was considered adequate for the study. Data collected from the study was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency count and percentages. Findings revealed provision of computers and interactive white board by few libraries, low level of ICT resource provision, lack of support from other stakeholders in acquisition and barriers such as funding, internet instability, lack of training for library personnel and lack of infrastructure. Based on the findings, the study recommended creation of awareness for teachers, school administrators on the importance of ICT resource provision, exploration of other alternative power supply such as solar among others.

Perception of planning and designing of school library building by library personnel in Nigeria

Mutiat Yewande Salvador — 2024-03-30

The study investigated library personnel perception of planning and designing of school library building spaces in Nigeria. The convenience sampling technique was used to select 243 library personnel across Nigeria out of which only 237 responded with useful data. The data for the study was collected at the 34th and 35th Annual Conference of the Nigerian School Library Association held at Abuja and Minna respectively. Findings from the study revealed that library personnel in public schools in Nigeria have poor perception about the planning and designing of school library building spaces in Nigerian schools (Mean =2.27). There was also negative perception about the designing of school library building spaces (Mean =2.35). There was a positive perception of library personnel about purpose of school library spaces in Nigeria (Mean =2.66). However, the study revealed that library personnel have positive perception about the purposes of school library building spaces in Nigeria with emphasis on the fact that the essence of school library spaces was to motivate students to read and study. Government and proprietors of schools should give adequate attention to planning and designing of school library spaces to ensure qualitative library service delivery in Nigerian schools.

Public relations and pricing on the utilisation of information resources in academic libraries in Cross River State, Nigeria

Ibukun-Oluwa Chidinma Obafemi — 2024-03-30

The study examined the influence of public relations and pricing on the utilization of information resources in academic libraries in Cross River state. Two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Survey research design was used for the study with a population of 362 library staff from six tertiary institutions in Cross River State. A census study was carried out hence the entire population was utilized. Data was analyzed using regression analysis. The findings revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between promotion and rebranding and the utilization of information resources. The study recommended that the management of the library or university should come together and liaise with international organizations, corporate bodies in making board display services, social media platforms with library resources. The management of the library or university should also publize their library services by making awareness of library resources available to users.

Investigating the use electronic resources in the teaching and learning of library and information science in Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria

Yahaya Aliyu Ismala — 2024-03-30

This study was piloted on the impact of electronic resources on effective library management in Kwara State University, Malete Nigeria. The study adopted simple random sampling technique to select two hundred and seventy-eight (278) undergraduate students from the population of one thousand, four hundred and two (1402) in the Department of Library and Information Science, Kwara State
University, Malete, Kwara State.. Data collected from the study were analysed using SPSS and frequency tables and percentage distribution used to present the results. The study established that Computer, E-mails, Internet, Online databases, CD-ROM databases, Electronic journals and e-Books are the major types of electronic resources available for teaching and learning of library and information science while the purposes of use of electronic resources included; research work, assignment, examinations and projects, easy availability of updated data and quick access to information. However, low bandwidth, poor level of computer literacy, unreliable power supply, inadequate facilities and inadequate networked computers were the major problems affecting the use of electronic resources for teaching and learning of library and information science. The study concluded that digital databases, online journals and e-books give the students more information and connect them globally, The study, therefore, recommended that the provision of Internet facilities, provision of high and stable bandwidth, training of students and lecturers on use of ICT, and the need to make online learning through use of electronic resources interactive to sustain the interest of users in the use of electronic resources.

Library development committee: A panacea to effective academic library servicing in Nigeria public universities

Yahaya Aliyu Ismaila — 2024-03-30

This study was conducted on appraisal of library development committee activities as catalyst to enhancing academic library services in Kwara State University, Malete. The study was conducted using a qualitative research design. The interview guide has twelve items in which questions were sought on types of library services provided in Kwara State University, Malete. Interview approach was chosen in order to collect a well-detailed and comprehensive data and information on the appraisal of library development committee activities as catalyst to enhancing academic library services. The study found that the types of library services provided in Kwara State Library are: current awareness services (CAS), selective dissemination of information (SDI), reprographics services, reference services, circulation services, collection development service. The finding also shows that the challenges faced by library development committee are; poor funding, deficit infrastructure and nonchalant attitude. However, the solutions to the challenges militating against the success of library development committee are: provision of adequate fund for the library and appropriate use of fund meant for the library.

Knowledge management and work performance of academic librarians in selected academic institutions in Kogi State, Nigeria

Olaronke O. Fagbola — 2024-03-30

The study investigated the impact of knowledge management on the work performance of academic librarians in selected institutions in Kogi State, Nigeria, revealing that knowledge management positively influences librarians' performance in various aspects such as library routines, communication skills, resourcefulness, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. Purposive sampling technique was used to select five (5) academic institutions in Kogi State, Nigeria. The population for the study was sixty-seven (67) academic librarians in the five (5) selected academic Institutions in Kogi State, Nigeria. Total enumeration technique was. Questionnaire was used for the data collection. Five (5) research questions were answered; data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 Software. The findings highlight the significance of promoting knowledge management practices and creating a supportive environment within academic libraries to motivate librarians' engagement in knowledge sharing and application.

Cultural orientation and alternative health seeking behaviour of pregnant women in Kwara State, Nigeria

Kehinde Kadijat Kadiri — 2024-03-30

Pregnant women constitute a very important group requiring effective and efficient health care delivery system. In most cases, pregnant women would require the expert knowledge and attention of doctors and other health professionals who have been trained to attend to them. Maternal health and health seeking behaviour as a concept in the past decades were perceived as solely a medical concern, neglecting the possible influence of cultural orientation on the dynamics of maternal health. Most African societies hold a shared belief and perception that conception, pregnancy, labour and delivery are events that are mysterious. Therefore, this study by its design and approach seeks to examine the relationship between cultural orientation and the alternative health care seeking behaviours of pregnant women in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey using qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection with the use of questionnaire as instrument to generate quantitative data and In-depth interviews to source for qualitative data. Eight hundred and seventeen respondents participated. The findings of the study revealed that cultural orientation has significant relationship with the health seeking behaviour of pregnant women in the study with pregnant women displaying their alternative health seeking behaviour. This means that the cultural orientation of pregnant women in Kwara State influences their alternative health seeking behaviour. It is recommended that the health seeking behaviour of pregnant women in Kwara State for institutional category must be upgraded with the health system made more robust and dynamic to meet the real needs of the pregnant women. The health seeking behaviour of the pregnant women could be better as there is ray of hope based on the findings that they displayed a positive health seeking behaviour, attitude, as well as practices. Health practitioners and policy makers should encourage pregnant women in their localities through sensitization, enlightenment and reducing the cost of public medical health treatments.

Information access: A prospective pathway to national transformation and development in Nigeria

Mathew Adesanmi Farukuoye — 2024-03-30

Development is critical and essential to the sustenance and growth of any nation and Information is an important key of achieving this sustainable national development. For a state or society to achieve a sustainable national development, the quality of its information should be improved. This paper attempts to explain the concept of information, the concept of sustainable national development and relationship between information and sustainable national development. The paper provides an insight into various challenges confronting information in Nigeria such as illiteracy, digital divide, gender divide, inadequate public knowledge of the FoI Act, poor record keeping practices and infrastructures etc. It finally suggested way on how to solve challenges confronting access to information in Nigeria. This is done through allocation of enough funds to various information institutes, improving on the infrastructural facilities in information centers, discouraging gender disparity by an enlightenment program, ensuring that access to information, open access and information provider reflected in national development plan etc.

E-resources usage by students in tertiary institutions: How do libraries and librarians interfere?

Gbenga Alayande — 2024-03-30

This paper discussed the usage of e-resources by students in tertiary
institutions. It adopted a revie of literatures on various issues relating to eresources usage in tertiary institutions including types of e-resources used, purpose of e-resources and the various challenges confronting students in the use of e-resources. The roles of librarians and libraries in facilitating effective usage of e-resources by students of tertiary institutions were also discussed.