Abstract:
This study was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of school libraries in support of local
language policy. A case study of twenty private and public schools in Lusaka. Specifically, the
study focused establishing the information services school libraries offer to users in support of the
local language policy; assessing the availability of local language materials at the school libraries
and; investigating the challenges faced by school libraries in providing information services to
users in support of the local language policy. A total sample of 200 respondents was drawn using
the stratified random sampling method. The sample was picked in the ratio of 1:9 with 1 librarian
and 9 teachers respectively. In-depth interviews were conducted with these respondents using a
preset interview guide. The salient findings from the study showed that the majority of the school
libraries offer local language services to their users. These services are offered in form of literature,
posters, charts and promotion of reading and usage through competitions. The respondents in this
study pointed out that in as much as local language services are provided by their school libraries,
the materials are not sufficient and do not meet the needs of the users. It was observed that the
school libraries face numerous challenges and these are financially related as well as involve the
inability of existing members of staff to use local language materials. The study concluded that
local language policy is being promoted in the sampled schools but despite this, challenges are
being faced and if the promotion of local language policy is to be enhanced, measures to mitigate
these challenges must be implemented.
