A Survey of library services offered in primary schools in Nairobi

Abstract

This research project set out to investigate the nature of library service that is offered in primary schools in Nairobi. The researcher hoped to reveal the existing state of library service in primary schools.

The study covered ten primary schools that were randomly selected from seventy-two schools in Nairobi.

Three different questionnaires each one of them specially designed to suit the target respondents, that is, the Headteacher, the librarian and the pupils were used in the collecting of the information.

The researcher also interviewed the Headteachers and the librarians to get more information about the school libraries.

The findings were as follows: -

1. Most schools did not have purposely built library buildings. Most of them had classrooms converted into library rooms.

2. Class libraries were more common than central libraries. However, in most cases, those libraries, whether class or central, were very poorly organized.

3. There was a misconception of a library its role and function among the Headteachers and teachers.

4. There was lack of trained personnel to run and manage school libraries.

5. Although library lesson was on the school timetable, it was not given the emphasis and treatment it deserves.

6. Pupils did not make use of their school libraries as would be expected due to the fact that most libraries had very old and out of date books.

7. Inter-library loan system was a phenomenon that was not common among primary school libraries.