Assessment of the Availability of Resources in Senior Post-Primary School Libraries in Minna Metropolis.

Abstract

The study was to assess the extent of the availability of resources in Post-Primary school libraries (Senior Section) in Minna metropolis. The focus of this study is on the availability of accommodation: book stock and staffing situation in senior Post Primary school libraries in Minna Metropolis. Survey method was used for the study. the entire population of 25 schools were not sampled, it is manageable and so it was adopted. While Heads of school libraries were the target respondents. Data collection instruments techniques include questionnaires, observation and interview. Questionnaire was used to solicit for the number of book stock, highest educational qualification: field of specialization of library staff. Non-participant observation technique was used to examine the book shelve, while interview was conducted to ascertain the number/qualification of staff as well as the total book stock. This was done to support the response to questionnaire. Findings shows that 2 school libraries have converted libraries to classroom, 1 staff room, 1school library was blownoff by windstorm while 4 had no libraries. On the other hand, one (1) private school was not accessible to researcher for security reasons. The 18 school libraries were being manned by 57 staff (3 professional, 18 paraprofessional and 36 nonprofessional staff). On library staff field of specialization, only 21 of them have various qualifications in librarianship, while 36 had qualification in field other than librarianship. Recommendations are proferred amongst include: adoption of “Minimum standards for school libraries in Nigeria (1999)” by the state government, school principals, proprietors and stakeholders in education.