TITLE:
Print or Electronic, Reading Is Indispensable: Case of Ibeku High School Umuahia Abia State
AUTHORS:
Joy C. Onyenachi, Edward C. Amadi, Ogechi O. Awa
KEYWORDS:
Print, Electronic, Reading, Indispensable
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.6 No.1,
January
24,
2019
ABSTRACT: The study examined reading of Print and Electronic information materials among senior secondary school students of Ibeku High School Umuahia Abia State Nigeria. Literature review focused on identification of reading materials in school library of Ibeku High school, the student’s reasons for reading, and challenges that affect student’s reading. The research design used in this study is descriptive survey. The population is 430 which is the entire senior secondary students (one 225 and two 205) respectively. Total sample size of 172 was drawn which is 40% of the total population. 172 copies of questionnaires were administered and 164 copies returned which represent 95.3% return rate. The result was analyzed using tables and simple percentage. The findings of the re-search revealed that school text books are the major library collection 108 (65.9%). Others are magazine 4 (2.4%), Newspapers 16 (9.8%), Electronic in-formation materials 4 (2.4%). Reasons for reading reveal the following: To de-velop communication skill 116 (70.7%). Personal research for self development had 104 (63.4%), to pass examination 85 (51.8%). Among challenges to reading major one the students indicated was lack of personal reading materials 103 (62.8%). From the findings it was obvious that reading culture for pleasure and self development cannot be achieved because the print and non print materials for such are not available. The study made the following recommendations as possibilities in equipping school library with print and electronic information materials: The government being owner of public schools should be committed in funding the school library as well as directly sending print and non print information materials to schools. Teaching and learning are not done in vacuum school principals and teachers should not be less concerned in equipping the school library. They should make the government realize the need for learning materials which include print electronic books and audio visual materials. School administrators should solicit for assistance from parents through the parent teacher forum; the school administrators should as well contact donors to assist; public libraries by their mandate caters for the information need of the entire citizen to which secondary school teachers and students are among. The school administrators should contact the public library to come to their aid because public libraries’ mandate covers provision of information materials to public schools.