The provision of library services to primary school going children in Zambia: a case of selected primary school libraries in Lusaka.
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Date
2019
Authors
Daka, Kaoma L.
Chisunka-Mwila, Chitundu P.
Mwinga-Mwanachingwala, Thabiso M.
M'kulama, Abel C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Library and Information Association of Zambia
Abstract
This study investigated the provision of Library services to primary school going children in Lusaka.
Nine primary schools were selected based on the availability of libraries in the schools. The study sought
to identify and describe library facilities and services provided at the schools. It also investigated the
qualifications of the school librarians. The study went on to investigate the challenges faced and made a
few recommendations to mitigate those challenges. In carrying out the research, the schools were
visited during which time, the School librarians were interviewed. In addition, physical examinations of
the facilities and resources was done. The findings indicated that the library services that were offered to
school going children were in the form of literature (books) fiction and non-fiction and supplementary
books for different subjects, audiovisual (AV) materials. Other services included information literacy
training, reading lessons and story time. The study further revealed that the librarians were all trained
and their qualifications ranged from certificate to degree level in library and Information Science. The
challenges faced included inadequate time allocated to library periods, insufficient budgets, and lack of
library management systems among others. The study recommended that every school should have a
school library, more time should be allocated to library periods, library management systems should be
installed and all school librarians should possess the necessary qualifications. It further recommended
that since a library is core, librarians should not fall under support staff but should be at the same level as
teachers or better depending on the qualifications. In addition, the Zambia library Service should
sensitize all the stakeholders on the importance of School Libraries.
Description
Keywords
Library Services.