HARNESSING THE STORY HOUR PROGRAM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF READING CULTURE

THE ANAMBRA STATE PUBLIC LIBRARIES

  • Ngozi P. Osuchukwu JDPC Library, Onitsha Archdiocese

Abstract

One important venue of developing reading culture in children is through the public library services to children, that is, the story hour program which helps children enjoy reading, giving them opportunities to spend lots of time with reading and learning resources. In essence, the research sought to examine the program of story hour of public libraries in Anambra State. In the study, descriptive survey research design was adopted and all the eleven public libraries in the state were sampled. Four research questions were used to elicit facts for the study. Questionnaire was designed and distributed to all the 11 officers in charge of the children’s sections of the 11 public libraries in the state. Observation checklist and oral interview were also employed for data collection. Obtained data were collated and analyzed using frequency tables and simple percentages. A 50% positive response was accepted as positive for
observation checklist. The result showed that only two public libraries (18.1%) out of the eleven in the state offer story hour program. All the libraries have print resources for the program but audio visual resources are virtually not available in any of the libraries. It was recommended that the State Library
Board should intervene in the children departments of public libraries and the activities therein, in order to ensure effective library services to children.

Published
2019-01-08