STUDENT’S PERCEPTION OF LIBRARY ORIENTATION PROGRAMME IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION

ABSTRACT

Library orientation plays a prominent role in the success of students in heir academics. There is the belief that library users need one form of instruction or the other which will help them in developing their reading habits and self actualization. This project is therefore undertaken to examine how users student feel about this user education and to bring a lime light any possible problems they might be facing in the exercise. It was discovered that students value library orientation as a necessary stepping stone to their perfect use of the library and its materials. However some posture recommendations are middle for ultimate improvement of users Education programme in College of Education.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1     Background to the Study

A student does not really learn to use the library by being told how to it, but by implementing what he/she had been told effectively whether in form of library orientation or bibliographic instruction, user education helps to create the right kind of atmosphere for effective communication between user’s and the library and to the library staff. This introduces the student to the sources of information and techniques of making use of the resources.

When a new students come into the college of education, he comes into the college of education for the first time into contact with the library designed primarily for study most fresh students in college of education are admitted directly from school where in most cases library services are not in existence, thereby making them novices as this is their first encounter with regards to library services.

This therefore implies that majority of the students do not usually have the required knowledge on how to use a college library Their background is usually that of a strict adherence to specific textbooks and class notes.

The student exhibit little confidences in their ability to cope with the volume of academic work ahead of them. Not withstanding the character of their works requires them as never before to search seriously for,and use the appropriate books.

Inspite all those efforts all those efforts by the library and the school in general,, the student still nurse grudge concerning this programme which has led to some positive and negative perception from them this programme.

This research topic is deliberately chosen to examine the perception of the student of Nigeria colleges of education especially Federal College of Education Osiele, Abeokuta as a case study, toward library orientation, their experiences during the programme, method being used by the library personnel which will definitely guides their attitude in order to arrive at exhaustive and comprehensive finding time for the programme yearly. This result could also be used to develop and encourage the student attitudes. This programme also encourages them and gives them enough time during this programme which arouses student’s participation and interest.

Finally, this finding will enable the school authority to provide the appropriate equipment and facilities where needed and to make good use of the available one’s through proper maintenance (AGUOLU, 1984).

1.2    Statement of the Problem

How to organize user education more effectively and given the rise in student number and adherent of electronic.

The limited number of professionals, staff and resources which has changed the information landscape.

It takes a critical look at how user education programme are planned organized and implemented.

1.3   Purpose of the Study

1.                  To determine the students perception of the library after the library orientation exercise.

2.                  To find out whether the programme has changed the students perception positively or negatively towards effective use of the library and its resources.

1.4     Research Questions

1.                  Are all the information needed provided by the library staff during orientation?

2.                  Is the programme of any importance to the college students are regards their search skills.

3.                  Is there any effect of library orientation programme on students attitudes towards learning and reading?

4.                  Are the library personnel using the appropriate method that will be understood by all the students.

5.                  How often do the student patronize the library after math of the library orientation.

1.5     Significance of the Study

The beneficiary frose and listed above.

1.                  The college authority: This are the college administrators, they have specific influence on library orientation programme e.g. the provost, deputy provost, the registrar, etc.

2.                  Library personnel: This are the set of people working in the library e.g. the receptionist, secretary, librarian, etc.

3.                  Students: They are the library users they use the library for effective learning and research.

This result gather from various investigations during the course of this study could be used by the College Authority and the library personnel to rectify some of their errors during this programme such as the method they use and allocated time for the programme yearly. This result could also be used to develop and encourage the student’s attitudes towards this programme and also giving them time during this programme which will arouse students participation and interest.

1.6     Scope of the Study

This study covers only the sampled college students who have undergone this library orientation programme with regards to their level in the college of education.

1.7     Limitation of the Study

This study has been limited to the students of Federal College of Education Osiele, Abeokuta in Ogun State, place visited include the hostel and off campus student in the school where copies of the questionnaire were distributed to the students.

1.8     Definition of Terms

  i.                  Perception:- This means how someone feel about something. It also means how student feels about the library orientation programme.

ii.                  Library: It referred to as the information where by student acquired knowledge and skills.

iii.                  Library Orientation: This programme is usually carried out during the orientation week popularly known as “fresher’s Week” (AKINYONDE)