D L I S 127 – SCHOOL LIBRARIES
COURSE OUT – LINE
(1) Definition of basic concepts: school libraries, media centres, resource centres, etc
(2) Purposes and roles of school libraries / media centres.
(3) Resources in school libraries / media centres.
(4) Administration of school media centres: personnel, funding and organization of school libraries.
(5) Problems of school / media centres.
DEFINITION OF BASIC CONCEPTS: SCHOOL LIBRARIES, MEDIA CENTRES, RESOURCE CENTRES, ETC
Through the use of a wide variety of learning and play materials made readily available to the pupil in the school library, he is encouraged to explore the world of knowledge, experiment with his hands and mind, discover, learn and develop his innate abilities to the fullest. Unfortunately very few libraries have what can be called libraries, laboratories or workshops.
School library has been defined by the dictionary of library and information sciences as a library in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves the information needs of its students and the curriculum needs of its teachers and staff, usually managed by school librarian or media specialist. School library is synonymous with learning resources centre, and school media centre. School library was also defined as libraries of primary schools, secondary schools, teacher training colleges, and schools of arts and sciences. Another brief but straight forward definition of school library is that which stated that “the term refers to libraries that are located in the primary and secondary schools.” Another definition of school library stated that: school library is that part of school where a collection of books, periodicals, magazines and newspapers, films and film strips, video-tapes, recording of all types, slides, computers, study kits, realia and other information-bearing resources are housed for use by teachers, and pupils for learning, recreational activities, personal interests and interpersonal relationships of children in a school. That facility administered as a unit in individual schools where teaching resources are made available to students and teachers of the school.
PURPOSES AND ROLES OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES / MEDIA CENTRES
The school needs the support of an efficient school library to achieve its goals of producing students full of creativity, scientific and effective thinking, inter ethnic understanding, and holistic approach to teaching and learning. A good school library / resource centre and its staff will develop in children good reading skills and encourage long-term learning habits through listening, reading and viewing a wide variety of learning resources.
The role and functions of the school library / resource centre will depend upon the emphasis which the educational system of a nation places on it. For a long time, the Federal, State Governments in Nigeria have paid lip service to libraries and librarians especially in pre-tertiary institutions. It was not until 1981 in the revised version of the National Policy on Education that libraries were mentioned. The primary objectives of the school library should be similar to those of academic libraries. The objective of this library is to aid, in particular, the students / pupils. Some of the purposes of school libraries are outlined below:
· Support the teaching and educational work of the school;
· Develop in young people, a habit of reading both for pleasure and for the purpose of gathering information for themselves;
· Prepare pupils to work independently so that when they leave the school they can carry out with their education;
· Make reasonable use of their leisure;
· Inculcate reading habit in children.
The contributions of school libraries to education include:
· Encouraging reading;
· Expanding learning resources;
· Developing learning skills;
· Developing critical thoughts;
· Developing values, attitudes and appreciations;
· Assisting with developmental tasks
It can provide all these because of its wealth of materials and the learning opportunities it offers, the library is ideally suited to the task of making education more relevant to current circumstances and more meaningful to students.
RESOURCES IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES / MEDIA CENTRES
A variety of resources make up the collection in the children’s library. These resources should be selected with users’ interest and ability in mind. They include books, reference books, story books, drama and poetry, audiovisual software and hardwares, newspapers, magazines, toys and games and realia. A school library collection usually contains books, periodicals, and educational media suitable for the grade levels served. This collection of books and other resources are usually organized in designated room for use by both teachers and students alike. Their collection include pupil’s textbooks, teachers’ textbooks, fiction books, suitable reference materials and variety of teaching and learning audio – visual items. The variety and the forms of materials will depend on the librarian’s enthusiasm, finance and easy access to local and foreign materials.
ADMINISTRATION OF SCHOOL MEDIA CENTRES: PERSONNEL, FUNDING AND ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES
In most cases school libraries are funded through funds or grants from the ministry of education; funds provided by the Parent – Teacher – Association (PTA), philanthropic organizations; and alumni association.
PROBLEMS OF SCHOOL / MEDIA CENTRES
Of all the types of libraries existing in Nigeria today, school libraries / media centres are the least developed. Funding has been the major factor to smooth running of the library. Head teacher and staff do not make necessary efforts, few numbers of schools are found to launch for development of school library. Poor reading habit due to poor lit environment, noisy and overcrowded homes, sending children on errands indiscriminately and lack of libraries. Inadequate qualified personnel, inadequate resources and facilities, in adequate accommodation / space.
The ideal school library should be in quarters specifically designed for it. It should be a separate building of its own located centrally within the school compound but removed from noisy areas such as the cafeteria, playing field and assembly hall and such inhibiting areas such as the principal’s office or staff room. Also far from disaster areas such as erosion, flooding and fire.
Inadequate furniture and equipments: book stacks, box files or card board boxes, drawers, periodicals’ racks, newspaper stand, chairs, tables, catalogue cabinet, bulletin boards and computers.
Students can volunteer to work as library assistants, library prefects, library volunteers or members of library club. They have to be selected and trained. The library can charge library levy fee. P T A and ALUMNI can also be encouraged to contribute / donate to the library.
References
Dike, V. W. Library resources in education. Enugu: ABIC Publications
Olanlokun, S. O. and Salisu, T. M. (1993) Understanding the library: a handbook of library use. Lagos: University of Lagos Press
Opaleke, J. S., Olayemi, T. K. and Aina, R. (2006) School Library Management for Teacher – Librarian. Ilorin: Nathdex
Fayose, P. O. (2003) Library Work with Children: an African perspective. Ibadan: A E N L Educational publishers.
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