Role of public
library on reading culture: A study of public library in Calabar Municipality
of Cross River State, Nigeria.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
The
fundamental aim of libraries is to provide timely, accurate, pertinent and
reliable information for their users. According to Olowu (2004), libraries are
devoted to improving access to information, and satisfying the user is
paramount. There is a growing recognition that library services particularly in
public libraries, are an integral part of national socio-economic development
and improvement of the general quality of life (Kipat, 1990), public libraries
in Nigeria are part of the government, interms of administration and budget
procedures. The establishment of public libraries in Nigeria, however, has been
mostly limited to urban areas. That has resulted in illiteracy and ignorance,
among young people in rural areas.
Library
services in the former Akwa-Cross State, which is the present day Cross River
and Akwa Ibom States, was very important in the history of public libraries in
Nigeria. It is set for the place of many public libraries in Nigeria. The
former southern region, which was part of the Niger-Delta, also provided
library services for adults, children
and schools. Through grants from UNESCO, mobiles library services was provided
to serve primary and secondary school and reading norms.
The
importance of reading cannot be overemphasized. Reading
occurs in day-to-day activities. Some authorities see it as a part of life.
Among various reasons for reading, it is pivotal that, it cannot be separated
from our living.
The trend in
ICT and information literacy in recent age has redefined and changed the role
of libraries and professional librarians- they are now not only passive keepers
and preservers of books; rather, they are also the facilitators of information
and lifelong learning with an emphasis on services identifying user`s
information needs and communicate solutions to them. Adams(2002) asserted that
in 1980`s, more flexible and proactive facilities, often called resource
centres (libraries), began to emerge as a force for social change and
democratic reconstruction of civil society. These centres explores new
relationships with their users valuing local culture, supporting community
development and preserving indigenous knowledge. According to (UNESCO: Basic)
quoted in Krolak (2005), the goal of education for all also involves the
development of literate societies in the developing world, and cannot be
attained solely by providing quality learning materials to schools. If people
are to stay literate, they “MUST” have “ACCESS” to a variety of written
documents and continue the habit of reading in their adult lives. In line with
this, libraries are a vital tool to provide access to information sources, and
ensure that users are in frequent contact with them. They achieve this through
planning –exterior of the library should be inviting and the interior made
attractive. Serene environment should be maintained, lighting fitting, and good
furniture properly fixed. Also, terms of services postulate proper users’
information services and needs.
Literacy is
an integral part of societal life; it is needed at home, in the classroom, in
the workplace, for development and preservation of the cultural heritage and
that of history. Literacy programs should be designed to functions within a
framework of relevance. In other to inculcate value and achieve desired goal
via dissemination of information. Here libraries play a vital role in provision
of information (reading) materials for all.
Reading is a way to get better knowledge of
one’s own experiences and it can be an exciting journey to self-discovery.
Reading transfers experiences to the individual so that the reader may expand
one’s horizons, identify, extend and intensify his or her interest and gain
deeper understanding of the world (Green, 2002). In simple words, it is a
process of interpreting printed and written words. In depth, it is an effective
process of conscious learning that influences the accuracy of information,
attitudes, morals, beliefs, judgments and action of readers (Panigrahib &
Panda, 1996; Eyre, 2005). Reading is regarded as one of the most important
components in learning language and it is an essential tool for lifelong
learning for all learners (Pandian, 1997; Mokatsi, 2005). This view supported
Krashen (1993), who states that through reading, readers develop a good writing
style, an adequate vocabulary and advanced grammar and becomes excellent
spellers. This improves the language proficiency and makes the reader to a
better speaker. In their study with adult readers, Kirsch and Guthrie (1984)
found that reading contributes significantly to job success, career
development, and ability to respond to change.
The definition of reading has undergone through many improvements.
In the past, reading was meant to interpret visual information of any given
codes or systems (Lone, 2011). However, after that, reading became more complex
and involved the understanding process of a whole text composed of written
signs (Fisher, 2004). Smith and Robinson (1980) define reading as a process for
reader to understand a writer’s message. Additionally, Toit (2001) suggests
reading as a process of thinking, recalling and relating concepts under the
functioning of written words. Irvin (1998) describes the reading process as
interaction between the writer’s mind with what is on the page within a
particular context that causes readers to comprehend what they read.
Furthermore, Williams (1984) defines reading as a process in which a reader
looks at a text and understands what has been written. He further states that
reading does not mean a person needs to understand everything he reads because
people read for different reasons and purposes. Thus, reading can define as ability to recognize, examine the meaning of
written or printed characters, words or sentences and understand the
information within (Lone, 2011).
Reading culture refers to the behaviour, which expresses the
likeness of reading and tastes of reading (Sangkaeo, 1999). It is a way of how
the reader organizes his or her reading. Similarly, Shen (2006) identifies
reading habits, as how often, how much, and what the readers read. Reading is
generally accepted as a way of acquiring new information and new knowledge. It
is not only to increase knowledge but also to build maturity and widen
awareness of contemporary issues (Kim & Anderson, 2011). A good reading
habit is important for the development of personalities and mental capacities.
Books and
libraries are often seen as redundant in some societies that are mainly based
on oral tradition. In such societies, people stop reading once their education
is assumed completed. They derive more pleasure from the oral and performing
arts, like singing, dancing, and socializing instead of forming their private
and individual lives through reading of books. Since the majority is
illiterate, it affects the minority who are literate, with the result of making
oral mode prevalent, (Totemeyer, 1994.). The way forward is to develop basic
reading materials that support literate base on local knowledge, that are
attractive to neo-literate. Such materials facilitate the learners from an oral-culture
to a transforms literate culture. At this point, library through the acquisition
of reading materials integrate the written words with oral norms in such
societies. This study is therefore carried out to assess the role of library in
inculcating reading culture among the inhabitants in Calabar Municipality of
Cross River State.
1.2
Theoretical
framework
In the context of this research, some theories were
considered as they served as theoretical background to the study. This
discussed under the following sub-headings.
i)
Fishbein and
reasoned Action Theory of Attitude;
ii)
Demand/Value or Quality Theory
1.2.1
Fishbein
and Ajzens Peasoned
Action Theory of Attitude. The reasoned Action theory
of attitude was proposed by Fishbein and Ajzen (1975), and they viewed a
persons attitude towards any objects(s) as function of his beliefs. Adzen in
Feldman (1994), further explained that attitude could be examined by studying
the various variables which influence it, or by examining its relationship to a
specific behavioural goal. From this explanation it can be inferred that
attitude gives birth or predicts an individual’s behavour. Hence, from the
attitudes of users towards the services of academic libraries one can deduce
the extent to which these services influence users of the libraries to help
them from positive attitude towards library use.
1.2.2 Demand/Value or
Quality Theory
The
Demand Versus Value or Quality Theory is actually a synergism of two basic
schools of thoughts (Evans, 1979). One is the demand theory; the other is the
value or quality theory. The demand theory was first put forward in some
details by McColvin (1984). This theory argues that libraries are established
in response to public demand. As such, it is the duty of the libraries to give
the users the resources that the user asks for, not minding whether what they
want is qualitative or not. McColvin however realized that the user’s idea of
what is important and valuable may not coincide with that of the librarian.
Those
who subscribe to the demand theory believe that librarians have no right to
impose their personal preferences on others and to decide what others should
read. They concluded that librarians should provide the books and other
resources that users want; after all, they are paying for them through taxes and
fees (Gardner, 1984). Some librarians rationalize “giving in” to the demand
theory by stating that if users do find what they want in the library, even if
that thing is not of library or subject value, they may later, just by
frequenting the library, be drawn to read something better and thus appreciate
the finer things in life.
The
value or quality theory espoused by Haines (1950) holds that the library is an
institution that exists to educate its patrons and to bring about a better
world. The theory therefore points out that any library worth its salt ought to
have on its shelves only qualitative and valuable resources. For this reason,
deteriorated or damaged resources have to be pulled out of the shelves and
repaired or put in a presentable format that will prolong their shelf lives.
Haines (1950) disagreed with the demand theory on the ground that the library
is a centre of excellence for information resources and therefore it should
have in its stock resources for their permanent value, even if there are not
much used.
This
theory relates to the concept of utilization that is being investigated in this
study. It discusses quality and value of library resources. The study will
therefore find out if the university libraries place emphasis on the quality and
value of resource in their collections or merely gloss over them.
1.3
Statement
of the problem
Reading is important and beneficial to man and because of
this the Nigerian Government is stimulating the reading of books, newspapers
and magazines. This is important now that an increasing number of people are
spending less time reading and also when reading skills are declining.
According to Ikpaahindi (2008), research has shown that more than half of the
adults in Nigeria hardly ever read a book. He stressed that those who do read
spend a much smaller part of their leisure time doing so, compared to 25 years
ago.
Idowu
(2002), laments that Nigeria’s reading culture is indeed one worrying aspect
that needs serious attention if the nation is to avoid sliding further into an
illiteracy vertex. Idowu further reports that Nigeria sadly stands as one of
the nations where the reading culture has unfortunately become poor.
However,
investing in the knowledge of an individual is one important components
acknowledged by the United Nations in 2006 Human Development Report (UNDP, HUD
2006). According to the report, “a well-read mind is assertive, articulate and
seeks information to help solve daily challenges” such children will read and
learn about their rights and other information that enhances the quality of
life, thereby enhancing creativity.
Africa
produces only 2% of the world books, despite constituting 12% of the world
population (Krolark, 2005). It is estimated that sub-Sahara Africa import books
up to 70%. The majority of it been university text and vocational books that
cost US$ 25 per copy (makotsi, 2004). In Nigeria where people struggle for
daily survival, it is beyond their purchasing power. Libraries stand to be one
of the practical solutions and useful tool for promoting literate communities.
They acquired books through bulk purchase/order, donations from the public and
banquet. These materials are in due time made available and accessible for
public use.
Finally, libraries are the
custodian of local and international culture. The past generation lives on by
the reading of their stored life event. Right from the
medieval period till now,
(Libraries) public has been very helpful in publicity, assisting in publication
and in promoting education, history and peaceful coexistence.
Through
invention of internet libraries have succeeded in bridging the gap between countries
with information plenty and those with lesser information access and create an
open society called an information society. It on the light of the above that
this study seeks to find out the role of public libraries on reading culture of
the dweller in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State.
1.4
Purpose of
the study
The aim of this study is to examine the role of public
library on reading culture: A study of public library in Calabar Municipality
of Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, this aim at examining whether:
1)
Public libraries
services enhance user reading culture.
2)
Public libraries
information resources improve user reading culture.
3)
Attitude of
librarians influence user reading culture
4)
Availability of
libraries facilities in public libraries enhance user reading culture.
1.5
Research
questions
To guide the study, the following research questions
were formulated:
i)
How does public
libraries services enhance user reading culture?
ii)
Does public
libraries information resources improve user reading culture?
iii)
To what extents
does attitude of librarians influence user reading culture?
iv)
How does
availability of libraries facilities in public libraries enhance user reading
culture?
1.6 Hypotheses
The following hypotheses
were formulated to direct the study:
i) There
is no significant relationship between public libraries services and user
reading culture
ii) there is no significant relationship between public libraries
information resources and user reading culture.
iii) There is no significant relationship between attitude of
librarians and user reading culture.
iv) There is no significant relationship between availability of
libraries facilities in public libraries and user reading culture.
1.7
Significance
of the study
The result of this study will help us know the extent
to which users utilize the information resources been provided by the academic
libraries in Cross River State. In practical sphere, solution(s) would be
preferred to areas of dissatisfaction that may exist in the pattern of information
utilization among library users. This will not only justify expenditure on the
acquisition of those materials but it will equally assist library management in
improving services to public library users.
The findings of this research will help policy makers
to take decisions that would enhance the effective use of the library.
The findings of this study will enlighten the masses
on the need to develop cultivate reading culture.
1.8
Assumption
of the study
This study is based on the
following assumptions:
1)
That the response of the people base on questionnaires reflected their
true feeling.
2)
It is also assumed that every item on the questionnaire was understood by
the respondents.
3)
Also that the variables in the study are measurable.
4)
The sample of the study is the true representation of entire population.
1.9
Limitation
of the study
Some constraints were encountered in the course of the
work they include:
i)
The major
limitation of the study will the poor attitude of the respondent towards
responding to the questionnaire item due to mixed feelings. However this will
be overcome when the researcher assure them of their utmost confidentiality.
ii)
Inadequate
records and statistics from reader services/circulation unit of user patronage
from libraries under investigation.
1.10
Scope of
the study
This study is restricted to public library in Calabar
municipality of Cross River State. This study is delimited to the variables
under study.
1.11
Definition
of terms
Attitude: Belief, feeling and action of a person or group of
persons either positively or negatively expressed towards an object or group
with which they are associated.
Resource: Refers to a collection of books and non-book
materials of all kinds which are relevant sources of information.
Library
services: a system supplying user information
materials in the library.
Public
library: a building or room
containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded
music for use or borrowing by the public.
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