International Journal of Advanced Research and Publications

ISSN: 2456-9992

Influence Of Library Facilities On Students'

Academic Achievement In Colleges Of Education
In North Central Zone Of Nigeria
Aernyi, Indira. Odeh, R. C. Ph.D
Department of Educational Foundations and General Studies Faculty of Education, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Benue
State, Nigeria, Phone:08032692136
Email: [email protected]

Department of Educational Foundations and General Studies Faculty of Education, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi., Benue
State, Nigeria. Phone: 08036176673
Email: [email protected]

Abstract: This study investigated the influence of Library Facilities on Students' academic achievement in Colleges of Education in North
Central Zone of Nigeria. The study looked at availability of Library Facilities, the utilization of Library Facilities on Students' academic
achievement in Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria. Three specific objectives were looked at while three research
questions were raised and three hypotheses formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a survey research design
39,220 NCE (3) from the (14) fourteen public Colleges of Education in North Central Zone made up the population of the study while 3,800
students were proportionately sampled based on their numbers in the respective institutions. Two instruments were, used for data collection,
Influence of Library Facilities on Students' Academic Achievement Questionnaire (ILFSAAQ) and 'Academic Record Profoma (ARP) was
given to exam officers for collection of students grades between 2007/2010-20011/2014 sessions in English Language, Mathematics,
Christian Religious Knowledge, Physical and Health Education (P.H.E) and Integrated Science for five academic sessions. The data
collected was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The research questions were answered using frequency counts,
percentages, mean and standard deviation while the hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient
(PPMCC) at 0.05 level of significance. The decision for the extent of influence was determined by the following parameters 3.50-4.00 for
High Extent (HE), 2.50-3.49 Moderate Extent (ME), 1.50-2.49 Low Extent (LE) and 0.50-1.49 No Extent (NE). The results of the findings
among others revealed that, language laboratories facilities were available in the Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria to
a moderate extent, however students’ utilization of language laboratory facilities was to a low extent. Based on the findings of this study, it
was recommended that, Provost of colleges of education should always ensure that Library Facilities in their colleges are available to a high
extent and Students utilization of the facilities should be improved to a high extent to positively influence their academic achievement.

INTRODUCTION Hence, the National Commission for Colleges of

The school library has been described as the whole stock Education has mandated all the Colleges of Education to
of books and other resource materials in a school. Waite, have functional libraries in order to achieve their academic
cited in Adeyemi (2010), sees the library as a collection of purposes. These libraries have the goals of assisting their
a wide variety of learning and teaching materials which colleges by providing learning and reading resources in
are housed in a place and centrally organized by staff and order to achieve the objectives of producing well-moulded
indexed to serve readers. Waite says that it comprises not teachers in their chosen disciplines. However, to be
only books or periodicals but also non-print materials, functional and successful in its operations, a library needs
films, slides and tapes. These resources could be seen in skilled, qualified and adequate human resources to make
two ways, namely, material resources such as books, up the staff (Egunjobi, 2006). In the same vein, Petters
journals, CD Roms, dissertation abstracts and human and Ottong (2012) describe a school library as an
resources such as the librarian and supporting staff. Thus, information centre located within the school environment
Waite sees the school library as the resource centre of any whose task is to identify and collect, process, organize,
school. A school library is a school’s physical and digital store, preserve, retrieve and disseminate information
learning space where reading, inquiry, research, thinking, pertinent to the needs of members of the school
imagination, and creativity are central to students’ community with a view to satisfying their changing
information, to their knowledge journey, and to their information needs. They described the School libraries as
personal, social and cultural growth. This physical and indispensable resource centres for the improvement and
digital place is known by several terms, for example, success of any educational system. School Libraries assist
School Media Centre, Centre for Documentation and the processes of teaching and learning by storing and
Information, Library Resource Centre, etc. However, providing instructional materials for the students as well
School Library is the term most commonly used and as the lecturers. Libraries, according to them, serve as a
applied to the facility and its functions. It is a service point repository of knowledge and a catalyst towards qualitative
and a self-development centre. It is also the hub of education. The National Policy on Education in Nigeria
individual studies in schools (Adeyemi,2010). A school (2004) affirmed that libraries are one of the most
library is an indispensable learning resource for every important educational services and recommended that
tertiary institution. Sanusi (2001) observes that the every State Ministry of Education should provide funds
Colleges of Education cannot accomplish their tasks for the establishment of school libraries and employment
without the backup of relevant and functional libraries. of library assistants. National Commission on Libraries

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 International Journal of Advanced Research and Publications
ISSN: 2456-9992

and Information Science (NCLIS, 2008), asserts that, no system that cannot be ignored without jeopardizing the
longer are school libraries just for books, they have quality of education in schools. The school library is an
become ‘school library media centres' with computer important part of elementary, middle and high school
resources that enable children to engage meaningfully programmes without which students would not thrive
with a wide variety of information. It is no gainsaying that academically and invariably find it most difficult to
students’ academic achievement in colleges is anchored conduct academic research before they reach college level.
on the availability and utilization of modern, well- School library is very important in shaping students’
equipped school libraries. The reasons are not farfetched. habits as regards reading for leisure, passing examinations
A strong library that is adequately staffed, resourced and and obtaining information on different aspects of life
funded can lead to higher student achievement regardless (George, 2011). It is an inexhaustible storehouse of
of socio economic or education levels of the adults in the unrestricted information resources in diverse,
community (Ogundele & Moronfoye, 2013). In the same systematically organized for users. Thus, a school library
direction, Ogundele and Moronfoye explain that school cannot be separated from the school – the parent
libraries can make a positive difference to students' self- institution and expect all-round development of the
esteem, confidence, independence and sense of students. Library users make use of the library for
responsibility about their own learning. The role of the different purposes. While some users use it for reading
school library is very crucial to learning as it provides the their notes and personal books, others use the library to do
rudiments to learning, gives information that can change assignments. Yet, others visit the library to prepare for
people’s lives to a better one, encourages students to examinations, recreation and relaxation. Ogunbote and
study, learn and achieve better results as well as provides Odunewu (2008) state that the performance of students
confidence to look for information on their own at could be improved considerably if they use the library
different levels. School library services are very crucial regularly. School libraries provide a favourable
and indispensable to any form of education; elementary, environment where the students can discover and develop
tertiary and eventually lifelong learning. When students their abilities and talents as well as improving their
are able to explore information from the library that is reading and study skills for academic achievement.
meaningful to them, they not only learn faster but their Flowing from the above, the need to carry this study
literacy grows rapidly. George ( 2011) sums it up that a cannot be over-emphasized.
good library launches students on a journey of exploration
and discovery, teaching them how to ask questions and METHODOLOGY
find answers. And the wonderful thing is that once you The study adopted survey research design. The population
learn to use a library, the doors to learning are open to you for the study comprises 39,220 NCE (3) students from
throughout your life. School libraries make a fourteen (14) Colleges of Education in North Central Zone
difference to students’ understanding and achievement and Nigeria with federal and state status. The information was
provide support for teaching and learning throughout the obtained from Digest of Statistics on Colleges of
school. Valenza and Johnston (2009), maintain that Education and other NCE-Awarding Institutions in
libraries exist as places for learners to find information, Nigeria (NCCE, 2015). Three of the Colleges of
resources, services, and instruction. The school library is Education are Federal, eleven are State-owned colleges in
central to learning and plays a key role as a place for North Central Zone Nigeria. The decision to use only the
encouraging innovation, curiosity, problem solving, and as public colleges of education is to remove unnecessary bias
a catalyst for literacy and reading and for teaching and that could be felt by students and proprietors of private
scaffolding inquiry learning. School libraries help users colleges of education in the zone. And the choice of using
achieve their goals and it is successful if it serves the NCE (3) students is based on the fact that their years of
needs and priorities of its host institution, whatever those stay in colleges will enable them to identify what
may be. Libraries play an important role in students' influences them most on their academic achievement. The
achievement, curriculum development, and instruction sample size for the study was 3,800 students from the total
(Rodger, 2009). On the same issue of libraries' influence population of 39,220 NCE (3) from the (14) fourteen
on students' achievement, Todd and Kuhlthau, (2004), Colleges of Education in North Central Zone. This size
stress that school libraries help students find information, was determined from Krejele and Mogan sample size table
stay organized, and provide support to deal with personal adopted from Adikwu, Aduloju and Emaikwu (2013). The
concerns or issues and make them better learners. School sample size of seven (7) Colleges of Education was drawn
libraries play an important role in lowering achievement from the total population of fourteen (14) public Colleges
gaps and supporting at-risk students on their pathways to of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria as at the
graduation. They provide both academic and social time of this study. The sample was selected using multi
supports by helping at-risk students raise their grades and stage sampling technique. The proportionate sampling
perform well on assignments, and they motivate students technique was used to select the students with sample
with strategies to continue learning and improving after sizes based on their numbers in their respective colleges,
the school day. The Library is the destination where FCE Kontagora 238, FCE Pankshin 582, FCE Okene 314,
students feel the information hub for themselves, where COE Akwanga 664, COE Katsina-Ala 760, COE Illorin
they can extract information in a peaceful and easiest way. 738 and COE Zuba 504 respectively.
It is viewed as a quiet, comfortable place where students
can work independently and without distraction
(Heinstrom &Todd, 2006). School library, according to RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Busayo (2011), is an integral part of the educational

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 International Journal of Advanced Research and Publications
ISSN: 2456-9992

4.1 Descriptive Analysis

Table 1: Demographic analysis of Students’ academic achievement results in the sampled Colleges of Education in
North Central Zone of Nigeria between 2007-2012 academic sessions. Key; Year, from year of admission to year of
graduation; SA students admitted, SG Students Graduated, LP Low Pass.

Dist. Cred Merit pass LP Fail

SA SG
Year N % N % N % N % N % N %

07/08-09/10 6110 3657 53 0.9 468 7.7 1689 27.6 1052 17.2 211 3.5 2343 38.3
08/09-010/011 6519 3984 95 1.5 575 8.8 1784 27.4 1127 17.3 327 5.0 2431 37.3
09/010-011/012 6866 4059 131 1.9 548 8.0 1728 25.2 1203 17.5 438 6.4 2662 38.8
010/011-012/013 7626 2987 68 0.9 403 5.3 1445 18.9 741 9.7 345 4.5 4503 59.0
011/012-013/014 8875 5000 85 1.0 758 8.5 1943 21.9 1705 19.2 553 6.2 3768 42.5
Average 7199 3937 86 1.24 550 7.66 1718 24.2 1166 16.18 375 5.12 3141 43.18

60.0

50.0
Percentage (%)

40.0 Dist
Cred
30.0
Merit
20.0 pass
LP
10.0 Fail

0.0

Figure 3 Bar chart of students' result between 2009-2010 to 2013/2014

Table 1, and figure 3 presents the demographic analysis of Question 1

Students’ academic achievement results in the sampled To what extent are Language laboratory facilities
Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria available in Colleges of Education in North Central Zone
between 2009-2010 to 2013/2014 academic sessions. The of Nigeria?
result shows that 43.2% of the students admitted during
the period under study failed. On the average, 1.2% of the
total enrolment from 2009-2010 to 2013/2014 had
distinction, 7.7% passed at credit level, 24.2% had merit
while 16.2%, had pass and 5.1% had lower pass
respectively. The bar chart in figure 3 reveals that the
level of students' academic achievement in colleges of
education North Central Zone of Nigeria between 2009-
2010 to 2013/2014 academic sessions is low.

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ISSN: 2456-9992

Table 2: Frequency counts, Percentages, Mean and Standard Deviation showing availability of library facilities in the
Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria

S/N ITEM HE ME LE NE Mean SD

574 1850 1274 102
1 The college has Libraries for all courses 2.95 0.76
(15.1%) (48.7%) (33.5%) (2.7%)
574 1850 1274 102 0.76
Average 2.95
(15.4%) (48.7%) (24.3%) (2.2%)

6060

5050

4040
Percentage (%)
Percentage (%)

3030

2020

1010

00
HighExtent
High Extent Moderate
Moderate Low
Lowextent
extent No
Noextent
extent
Extent
Extent

Figure 4: Bar chart showing percentage availability of library facilities in the Colleges of Education in North Central Zone
of Nigeria

Table 1 reveal that, 574(15.1%) respondents reported high that moderate extent had the highest percentage of 48%
extent respectively, 1859(48%.) indicated moderate The bar chart therefore reveal that the availability of
extent, 1274(33.5%) reported low extent, and 102(2.7%) library facilities is at moderate extent.
respondents indicated no extent with the mean of 2.95 and
SD of 0.76.. On the average, availability of library Question 2
facilities percentages are (15.1%) high extent, (48.) To what extent do students utilize library facilities in
moderate extent, (33.5%) low extent, and (2.7%) no Colleges of Education?
extent,. With a grand mean score of 2.95 and a standard
deviation of 0.76. The bar chart in figure four also reveals

Table 3: Frequency counts, Percentages, Mean and Standard Deviation showing the extent students 'utilize library facilities
in Colleges of Education.

S/N ITEMS HE ME LE NE Mean SD

All students in the college learn with the use 102 1247 1565 886
3. 2.15 0.80
of libraries (2.7%) (32.8%) (41.2%) (23.3%)

102 1247 1565 886

Average 2.15 0.80
(2.7%) (32.8%) (41.2%) (23.3%)
Source: field survey 2017

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 International Journal of Advanced Research and Publications
ISSN: 2456-9992

45
40
Percentage (%) 35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
High Extent Moderate Low extent No extent
Extent

Figure 5: Bar chart showing the extent of students’ utilization of library facilities in Colleges of Education in North Central
Zone

Table 3 reveal that. 102(2.7%) respondents indicated to a highest percentage of (41.2%). The bar chart therefore
high extent, 1247(32.8%) reported moderate extent, reveal that students’ utilization of library facilities is at
1565(41.2%) indicated low extent and 886(23.3%) low extent.
indicated no extent with the mean of 2.15 and SD of 0.80.
On the average, students’ utilization percentages are Question 3
(2.7%) high extent, (32.8%) moderate extent, (41.2%) low To what extent do School libraries influence students'
extent and (23.3%) no extent with the mean of 2.15 and academic achievement in Colleges of Education?
SD of 0.80. The bar chart reveals that low extent had the

Table 4: Frequency counts, Percentages, Mean and Standard Deviation showing the extent library facilities influence
students’ academic achievement in Colleges of Education

ITEMS HE ME LE NE Mean SD

Libraries influence students' access to broader 1067 1753 980

1. - 3.02 0.73
knowledge. (28.1%) (46.1%) (25.8%)
Libraries with current reading materials like
1363 1457 980
2. books give students more information on what - 3.10 0.78
(35.9%) (38.3%) (25.8%)
they learn in their classroom.

Libraries with current journals give students 1666 1154 980

3. - 3.18 0.82
information current issues. (43.8%) (30.4%) (25.8%)

Libraries are quiet and comfortable places

1514 1306 980
4. where students can work independently without - 3.14 0.79
(39.8%) (34.4%) (25.8%)
distraction.

Libraries are used by students for reading their 1045 1775 980
5. - 3.02 0.73
notes and also for doing their assignments. (27.5%) (46.7%) (25.8%)
1331 1489 980 0
Average 3.09 0.77
(35.0%) (39.2%) (25.8%) (00.0%)

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 International Journal of Advanced Research and Publications
ISSN: 2456-9992

40
35
Percentage (%)

30
25
20
15
10
5
0
High Extent Moderate Low extent No extent
Extent

Figure 4: Bar chart showing the extent school library facilities influence on students’ academic achievement in Colleges of
Education

Table 4 reveals that item one has, 1067(28.1%) findings, the following suggestions were made to improve
respondents who agreed to a high extent, 1753(46.1%) the students' academic achievement in colleges of
indicated moderate extent and 980(25.8%) responded low education. Provosts of colleges of education should
extent with the mean of 3.02 and SD of 0.73. Item two always ensure that the library facilities of various
has, 1363(35.9%) respondents who indicated high extent, programmes in their colleges are available to a high extent
1457(38.3%) responded moderate extent and 980(25.8%) and students' utilization should also be to a higher extent.
low extent with the mean of 3.10 and SD of 0.78.. Item
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