To Investigate the Effectiveness of School Libraries in the Provision of Study Materials to Grade 12 Pupils: A case study of Munali Boys secondary school.

Abstract

This research was undertaken to “to investigate the effectiveness of the school library in providing study material to grade 12 pupils at Munali Boys Secondary School”. The research was embarked upon because the basic conditions for the successful running of school libraries such as library legislation are missing in Zambia.

The general objective of the research was to investigate the effectiveness of the school library in providing study material to grade 12 pupils at Munali Boys Secondary School. The specific objectives where: To find out the utilisation of the school library by grade 12 pupils at Munali Secondary school; To determine the materials and services provided by the school library to grade 12 pupils at Munali boys Secondary school and; To establish challenges faced by the library in providing study materials to grade 12 pupils at Munali boys Secondary school.

The research used a mixed method research design. A sample of 100 pupils was taken and handed questionnaires using purposive sampling. One key informant was identified and interviewed on matters concerning the topic. The quantitative data gathered was analysed using SPSS and excel and the qualitative data was analysed using the thematic data analysis technique.

The research found that the library was underutilised by the grade 12 pupils due to reasons like time and lack of user orientation. The materials provided by the library indicated a bias towards some subjects and also type of materials like novels while no ICTs where provided. Some of the materials were found to be irrelevant. The library faced some challenges in providing materials to the pupils like limited sitting capacities and absence of fixed budgetary allocations to the library.

It was recommended that the library should take proactive measures instead of waiting for limited government funding. Among others it was recommended that the librarians should not sit back and wait for donations that are not applicable to the collection. It is recommended that they should write up a list of required materials according to the curriculum then this can be presented to anyone who wants to donate to the library to ensure the collection grows in a relevant direction.