TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       i

Approval page –        –       –       –       –       –       –       –       ii

Dedication –     –       –       –       –       –       –       –       iii

Acknowledgements  –       –       –       –       –       –       iv

Table of contents –   –       –       –       –       –       –       vi

Abstract – –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.1   Introduction     –       –       –       –       –       –       1

1.2   Historical Background of secondary school library

in Owerri town (capital territory   –   –       –       13

1.3   Statement of the problem –      –       –       –       18

1.4   Objective of the study-     –       –       –       –       19

1.5   Scope of the study – –       –       –       –       –       20

1.6   Significance of the study –       –       –       –       –       20

1.7   Research Questions –       –       –       –       –       22

1.8   Definition of Terms –        –       –       –       –       –       22

CHAPTER TWO

2.0   Review of related literature –    –       –       –       25

2.1   Concept school library    –       –       –       –       28

2.2   Importance of school libraries  –      –       –       30   

2.3   The roles and functions of the school library – 34

2.4   Service of school library  –               –       –       –       37

2.5   The school library collections  –       –       –       –       41

CHAPTER THREE

3.0   Research Methodology –   –       –       –       –       43

3.1   Introduction –  –       –       –       –       –       –       43

3.2   Design of the study –       –       –       –       –       43

3.3   Area of the study-    –       –       –       –       –       43

3.4   Population of the study – –       –       –       –       44

3.5   Sample and sampling techniques    –       –       45

3.6   Instrument for data collection –       –       –       –       46

3.7   Validation of instrument –       –       –       –       46

3.8   Method of data analysis   –       –       –       –       46

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0   Data Presentation and analysis –     –       –       47

4.1   Method of data analysis- –       –       –       –       49

4.2   Finding of the study-       –       –       –       –       –       56

4.3   Results of interview –       –       –       –       –       58

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1      Summary-        –       –       –       –       –       –       60

5.2      Recommendations – –       –       –       –       –       61

5.3      Conclusion      –       –       –       –       –       –       63

References –     –       –       –       –       –       –       65

Appendix –       –       –       –       –       –       –       67

Questionnaire  –       –       –       –       –       –       68

ABSTRACT

This project work is on the “school library as an effective instrument for academic excellence of schools on Owerri town”. The aim of this research survey is to determine and examine the extent of services being rendered to library users, the stock of the library and to some extent the problems placing the library. The character and efficiency of any institution and that of its various categories of populace is adjusted by its treatment of its central organ the library along with the school, college, the news media and other manifestations of the “knowledge industry” is one of the agencies through which the institution of education exerts its influence on society, the library satisfy the basic information, education, cultural and other needs of its clienteles in their general and specific intellectual fields and pursuits. Information is preserved in the print and non-print medium and the school library acquires, organize, interprets, preserves and stores the information purveying media for easy access and consultation thus, today is the gateway to broadcast world or scholarly information for pupils, students and teachers. School libraries are an information and is indispensable to a pupils or students advancement or self development. The right information at the right time, at the right place to improves the ability of a students, pupils or teacher. School libraries therefore are not the basis of all teaching and learning, it is also essential for promoting and enhancing intellectual or academic pursuits. Also its aim at establishing a firm knowledge of school and general subjects by making choices of these materials to select those which will build up a firm and realistic foundation. The wide range of such materials provides an incentive to use them to impart knowledge and for preparing pupils and students also for their various examinations. In which they give useful experience and increase self confidence and develop basis for more advanced work and they through their use the pupils and students will in the best sense of the words, striving for excellence in their academic. These places the school libraries are at a position of relevance and explains why it is an effective instrument for achieving excellence.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND OF STUDY

        The word according to the new Lexicon Webster Dictionary of the English language. Library is defined as a room or building housing a collection of books usually arranged according to same plan. Such collection of book on related topics issued by a publisher.

        The library has collection of records of human culture in print and non-print information purveying materials housed, preserve, organized, interpreted and managed by a professional librarian, to meet the broad and varying needs of users or clientele, for their information, knowledge, education, research, recreation and aesthetic appreciation.

        However the word library is defined as a room or building containing books that can be looked at or borrowed by members of the public or members of the group or organization that owns the library.

        According to Longman Dictionary of English language and culture; A building in which collections of books, CDs, newspapers, etc are kept for people to read, study or borrow.

        The library is an integral part of any academic institution where it is situated and no such institution can achieve its well throughout objectives without the library. It is not an adjunct to the parent institution, but an indispensable part. It is necessary to have library in our post primary schools because it is the central organ of an academic institution which determines the excellence of the institution in teaching and learning. School libraries are found in elementary post primary and higher schools and house the materials and services that students and teachers requires to carry out their academic activities.