Effect of reading culture on students performance
It is in light of this that the researcher decided to weigh and find out the impact one of the most important organization in the educational system has on the achievement of his aim ‘the library’ in doing this the researcher used a student-librarian perception questionnaire to gather information. The sample consisted of 10 students who were seated in the library at the time the questionnaire was distributed and 10 librarians of Abs fauna library of Diadems College of Education. A percentages as well as T-test analysis of mean scores gotten from analysis of respondents’ were computed and analyzed in tables.
Findings show that there is no significant difference between students and librarians responses to the impact of reading culture on students’ performance. Also no significant difference in responses of librarians and students on the impact of library on the development of reading culture and students’ performance. The implications of these and possible solutions were recommended. Background to the study Reading is an indispensable learning skill which lays the foundation for independent studies and prepares a child for higher educational opportunities.
Scholars have proposed different definitions of reading. Item (2008) said that reading is the corner stone of learning; it is the ability to glean meaning from printed symbols. Scabbards (2007) quoting Galilee describes reading as reasoning involving the meaningful interpretation of words, phrases and sentences requiring all types of thinking such as critical, analytical, creative, imaginative, evaluative, judgmental, and problem solving. Similarly, Babushka (1984) explained that through reading an individual over a period of suitable exposure can acquire efficiency, skill and a set of behavior sin both linguistics and psycholinguistics.
Reading therefore consists of complex psycholinguistic processes of identifications, mental integration research and application of written language symbols. It serves as a link between printed symbols and meaning attached to these symbols. Thus achieving interaction between the author and the reader. Despite these assertions and government efforts in developing libraries, reading culture is still at its lowest level among Nigerian students. Poor development of libraries and paucity of reading materials and lack of adequate reading environments in Nigerian school system stifles the growth of reading culture.
To worsen the situation, all the colleges of education in Nigeria no longer run programmer n library science (JAMB, 2007). Thus the colleges that would be a fertile ground for the training of teacher librarian no longer offer such courses. A pertinent question to this research is what is reading culture? How does the library help to develop reading culture among students especially in the higher institutions of learning, and what factors affect the library effectiveness on this pursing this course. Reading culture is the use of reading as a regular activity.
It is the cultivation of an attitude and possession of skills that make reading a pleasurable, regular and constant activity. Reading ultra is identified as the single most important determination of a student’s success in education in our modern education, incomes, skills development and fulfilled employment. The importance and culture cannot be over-emphasized. It provides individual’s welfare, greater academic performance of students since a student who learns to read, reads to learn, It also provides skills knowledge and right attitude that frees one from boredom or idleness.
It as well widens students’ general knowledge. It is therefore one of the tools for achieving qualitative education. Finally, poor eating culture among our students has brought our education to the background just as we relegated the relevance of library
Purpose of Study
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of libraries on the development of reading culture among students in tertiary institutions. Specifically, the study will examine the following I. How reading culture affects the academic performance of students.
Whether and how the library creates an enabling ground for the development of reading culture
Significance of the Study This study aims at finding out the impact of libraries on the development of eating culture among students in tertiary’ institutions. Its findings therefore are to be of value to government agencies and policy makers who aims to tackle the problems of reading culture and poor academic performance among tertiary students. It will also be relevant to students who wish to develop their reading habits as well as librarians to know measures that can encourage real patronage and use of the library materials for self-development.
Finally this research will improve reading culture among Nigerian students in general and in Diadems College of Education since some f the required enabling environment is already in place. Statement of hypothesis The following hypotheses were formulated to guide the study:
- Reading culture improves the academic performance of students
- The library creates an enabling ground for the development of reading culture. Conceptual approach to reading culture Horny (2002), sees reading culture as reading behavior which is mainly done often because it has been established.
According to Nines (2002), reading culture means learning tendencies that enable student work privately. Aweigh (1 998), describe reading culture as the way and manner a student Lana his or her private reading outside teaching hours in order to master a particular subject or topic. Scabbards(2007) defined reading culture as when an individual habitually and regularly read books. According to Van (2001) reading culture is seen as an “active intervention to open up reading choices, increase readers’ enjoyment and offer opportunities for people to share their experiences”.
Inside (2008), described reading culture as the process of building up positive attitude among students and children over a period Of time. He added that reading culture is the kind of culture that imbibes eating and studying as the basis of growth and development. Though it is better to inculcate reading culture right from a tender age, so that it can be imbibed as growth takes place, it is important to emphasis that is better late than never. It is in light of this that reading culture is being taught, promoted and advocated right from a tender age of a child in every serious and more developed nation of the world.
Importance of reading culture According to Knick and hussy’s (2006) through reading, children knowledge base is enhanced, intellect sharpen and misconception eroded. Good authenticating helps the student in critical reflection in skills outcomes, such as selecting, analyzing critiquing and synthesizing. Fielded (2004) observed that children can get information through reading which is an essential tool is indispensable in the decision making process Of individuals and organizations van (2000). According to Gadded (2003) reading is a means of proficiency and excellence in all human endeavourers.
It is through reading that mind is enriched and knowledge is acquired, Undue (1997) observed that extensive reading is the most obvious way for children to enrich their vocabulary. On the same view, Horton (1983) added that the more a student reads, the more background knowledge he acquires of other peoples way of behavior and thought. Reading is clearly essential for the development of human intellectual but also a most controversial of all subjects. It is an essential social skill and must be practiced often in order to acquire and develop good reading culture.
Payoffs (1995) in her study extensively discussed pursuit and submitted that it promotes a deep awareness and build the child up emotionally and intellectually. Similarly, crasher (1993), brilliantly illustrates owe reading culture benefits students achievement. He remarked that, “children or young adults read more when they see other people reading the longer free reading is practiced, the more consistent and positive the results and that people who read more write better”. He then, submitted that reading as a leisure activity is best predicted of comprehension, vocabulary and reading speed of students.
According to Sati (2002), reading culture influences in the promotion Of ons personal development in particular and social progress in general. He added that, “Regular and systematic reading harpers the intellect, refines the emotions, alleviates taste and provides perspectives for ones living; and thereby prepares a person for an effective participation in the social, religious, culture and political life, reading fires the imagination of the person, it adds new sight to eyes and new wisdom to mind. Skunked (2007), points out that an individual who reads widely is empowered because knowledge is one of the best tools an individual can get. According to Hussy (2007), reading is the foundation upon which other academic skills are built because through reading, information can be acquired which bridges the gap between knowledge and ignorance. Tell and sneaked (2007) assert that ability to read is at the heart of self education, lifelong learning and that is an arty capable of transforming life and society.
An individual who reads well has a means of widening mental horizons and for multiplying opportunities of success. Reading is a vital factor affecting intellectual and emotional growth. Sir Richard Steele has logically quoted, “reading is to the mind what exercise is to body’. Reading for a student is very important for the development of language skills. It also indispensable tool or achieving emotional stability, enjoying leisure hours, sharing experiences which are encountered in books, and for keeping abstract of what is happening inside the world at large.
It is for this reason that students, librarians teachers, parents and all concerned with the emotional, educational and cultural development of children must help them to cultivate a healthy reading culture.
Role of Libraries in Development of Reading Culture
Libraries play vital role in the worlds system of education and information storage and retrieval. The library makes available through books, journal, alms, recordings and other media knowledge that has been accumulated for ages.
