Impact of Library on Students Achievement

“THE IMPACT OF LIBRARIES ON STUDENT’S ACHIEVEMENT” Presented to the Faculty of the Department of management sciences IQRA University Gulshan Campus In the fulfillment of the course “Writing Research Report” BBA Morning Program Submitted to: Dr. Imran Khan By: Faiza Salam (6067) Spring (2013) Table of Contents: Abstract 1. 0 Introduction: ……………………………………………………………… 1. 1 Background to the study: ……………………………………………………… 1. 2 Statement of problem: ……………………………………………………………….. 1. 3 Objective of the study: ………………………………………………………… 1. 4 Research Questions: ………………………………………………………………… 1. Significance of the study: …………………………………………………………… 1. 6 Limitations and delimitation of the study: ………………………………….. ………. 1. 7 Review of related literature: …………………………………………………………. 1. 8 Research Methodology: ………………………………………………………………. 1. 9 Sampling Technique: …………………………………………………………………. 1. 10 Research Instruments: ………………………………………………………………… 1. 11 Instrument’s Reliability: ……………………………………………………………… 1. 12 Ethical consideration: ………………………………………………………………… 1. 13 Research Procedure: ………………………………………………………………….. 1. 14 Data Analysis and Statistical Tools: …………………………………………………… 1. 5 Findings: ……………………………………………………………………………….. 1. 16 Discussion: ………………………………………………………….. ………………… 1. 17 Recommendations based on findings: ……………………………………………… …. 1. 18 Recommendations for future findings: ……………………………………………….. 1. 19 Conclusion: ……………………………… …………………………………………………… References Appendices The Impact of Library on Student’s Achievement Abstract Keywords: library, study, information, facilities, computers, achievement, students 1. 0 Introduction: This research is about “The impact of library on student’s achievement”.

Today libraries are essential for the school, colleges, and universities because it has more impact on the student’s achievement. Now students are showing more willingness to collecting more information which is helpful or useful for the students in their achievement. In this way or providing more libraries in the institutions is also enhancing the students and teachers. By, getting more valid information related to a subject which helps the students to be more confident about their works. In this public can spend more time in getting knowledge.

In library, there are sufficient books, magazines, CD’s which are very supportive in collecting information and computers in library are very essential part of library because of as per need and requirement of the students. 1. 1 Background to the study: It has been said that books are the friends of a person. They provide to the reader with in insight knowledge and polishes his being. This research study is providing an overview or evidence that how libraries support student’s learning and findings based on the quantitative students survey responses. Historically, public libraries have a strong tradition in Anglo-American societies.

Libraries were first introduced in North American societies. And now libraries are the essential part of any society or any institute. Todd and kuhlthau describe that the study on the impact of library on student’s achievement is the duplication of the United States study in 2003, students through Ohio school libraries, and this research is conducted by the center for international scholarship in school libraries at Rutgers, The state university of New Jersey (as cited in Lyn Hay, 2004). In recent years a great deal of activity in libraries has been dedicated to design, implementation and improvement of the library.

Many of the library providing to the student’s online access catalogs (OPAC’s). It is also providing access to the internet journals holding and enable outside user to decide that which journals are hold by the library and what are the search engines (Moore, 2000). Furthermore, “any library program in which if there is sufficient staff, enough resources and adequately equipped so, in this way students can easily access to the achievement in spite of socioeconomic and education levels of community” (school libraries work! 2004, p. 6). Library history was an accepted discipline at library in every developed country. Now days with the enhancement of the information technology public can easily access to whatever they want related to their subject. People were rarely attending the library, some time facilitators or professors became the mean of information regardless of the library. Many of the authors has already been done in researching the history of the library but there is abundance of scope for more (Harrison, why library history? )

In additional, in this era library is the essential part of any institution because people are used to searching in a peaceful environment and where is the enough verities of books, magazines, articles and a lot of general knowledge. 1. 2 Statement of the Problem: Most likely, students are interested in the positive learning environment that supports students learning. Libraries are playing most important role in the achievement of the student. Gradually, student success is in the achieving a good grades and library many time help a student for borrowing a books and related items.

The positive and peaceful environment of the library attracts the learner’s attention towards achievement. We need to know that how library is playing a good role in student’s performance and success. 1. 3 Objective of the Study: The objective of my research project is to find out the impact of library on the student’s achievement and how students are getting the library as a useful and helpful for them in achieving their targeted goal or to know the student’s interest and extra reading habit. Through this study we can determine the factor which helps good reader and poor reader. 1. 4 Research Questions: i) In the perception of students what role libraries plays in academic and social life? (ii) How the libraries are helpful in acquiring command over knowledge and implementing in practical life? 1. 5 Significance of the Study: The significance of the study is to examine the in institutions for the students in their success. This study determine the student’s perception about the libraries importance and it is also help to understand that in recent years library has become very necessary for students in aspect of providing facilities, valid information and sufficient knowledge related to any subject.

As more time is spent in using internet and social gathering students have no more extra reading habits. 1. 6 Limitations and Delimitations of the Study: This study is limited to the students of universities in Karachi. The limited respondents of the research are about 45 almost. This study is restricted to complete in a given time period. This is an academic research only. 1. 7 Related to Literature Review: The review is taking on the behalf of previous research of Australian school library Association. It was conducted in time period of four weeks November and December 2004.

This study was about the relationship between libraries and student’s achievement. Williams and Wavell stated that some understanding is necessary to express the value , this review also demonstrate the true findings and implications (Chan, 2008). In the previous researches this study shows the positive relationship between school libraries and student’s academic achievement. It is the fact that so many studies, in surroundings thousands of schools and universities are providing a persuasive evidence for the value of libraries (Cahn, 2008).

In the united sates the Australian librarian becomes a “library media specialist” and in England and Scotland, the traditionally role of librarian does not include. Reynolds and Carroll (2001) stated that a librarian is a specialist in a special class room, who needs to be very experienced and expert and must have specialist teacher librarianship training. The term specialist, library teacher or library professional is used to avoid the confusion or determine the staff of the library (as cited in Lonsdale, 2003).

According to the Lance (2001a), Lance notice that Alaska is the first study that verifies the importance of the library teacher as a teacher of information, literacy and their impact on the student’s achievement (as cited in Lonsdale, 2003). This study is so far conducted to show the benefits of the school libraries where the students have positive and involved environment for increasing the reading habits and getting the most possible benefits closest to their achievement by comparing the results of those schools where libraries are non-existence.

Since 2000, ten major studies (in Alaska, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Texas, Oregon, Massachusetts, Scotland, Michigan, Iowa and New Mexico) have observed the positive impact of libraries on student’s achievement. Particularly, the huge part of the research has been taken in the united sates (Lonsdale, 2003). The authors of Colorado study applied their methodology across different states of USA. In a study performed in Alaska, it was found that librarians are the information empowered”, because librarians are playing three roles they are teachers, information specialist and administrators who motivated or empowers the students and others teachers to gather the more and more information and meet academic achievement (Lance, Hamilton-Pennell & Rodney, 1999). Furthermore, libraries are playing most important role in providing the broad range of reading resources and for those students who cannot afford to buy new reading materials day by day and for those parents who cannot provide their children such range of reading materials.

Libraries are without any paying or free of cost facilitating those who have strong reading habits. If literacy is not placed in the perfect structure and if newly obtained literacy skills will not frequently used and improved, so there are more chances that literacy skills can b convert in illiteracy in this way the huge participation in educational institutes will be wasted.

Singh (2003) points out the importance of the library in the literacy level and achievement of students “most of the libraries are not providing support to the neo literate, unless they are provided the effective support to provide to the readers an effective reading materials otherwise they may again fall in the category of illiterates. Library is playing a vital role in providing learning and reading materials” (Singh, 2003) Obviously, it is much better to have a single set of books in a classroom rather than to have nothing.

In order to improve or to enhance the reading habit among students, for this they must have to provide a wide range of attractive reading materials. These needs should b changed time to time to keep the interest of the students. Alternatives models should b designed to enhance the library based resources. Library models that provide verities of books are very popular among the students. According to Krolak, libraries are the perfect place that provides to students an effective and attractive environment. They have easy access to the run their needs related to reading habits.

A successful library has number of books, newspaper, audio and videos, magazines etc. Mostly libraries are centrally located and easily accessible by the students and general public. Libraries are the place which provides very friendly and peaceful environment, with services oriented and all the time available with qualified staff. Some students have bad memories of schools and have negative attitude towards study. They are encouraged to come libraries and enjoy the non-reading activities to watch videos and to join the discussion groups, it would be the first step to back to the study (Krolak, 2005).

Moreover, Lance et al. (1999) using three analytical techniques i. e. cross tabulation, comparison of means, correlation. Library media program are characterized as a predictor of academic achievement. It is also examined that might be indirect effect on academic achievement. After evaluating the direct and indirect effects of librarians on student’s academic achievement. Perhaps, the important factor that affects the impact of libraries on student’s achievement is correlation of the libraries and librarian that is explosion of the information. Particularly, this relationship is based on digital resources.

If there would be a quality of digital or media resources students or general public can be more interested in study, or this much information would be available on internet in this way the role of library even become more important than in the past (Lonsdale, 2003) Henri (1999) described the term “information literature school communities” as an admittedly unclear collection of the factors, attributes, goals are necessary in an environment in which focus is on the learning and that unclearness is due to the complexity of school communities and developing the nature of literacy information.

As a result, it is most likely that literacy information cannot be concise because it is more like a large version. This has implication on the development programs (as cited in Moore). In addition, libraries are being most important in terms of supporting literacy and they may also play a role in the development of the society. It is stated that: The freedom to read is essential in our country’s democracy. But it is continuously under pressure and for this private sectors and public authorities are doing many efforts to removing the barriers in the reading society or to remove the limit access to reading materials.

To increase or edit the contents in schools to label the controversial views, to make the list of the most important books and authors and to clean the libraries. Then, some actions apparently rise from a view that these efforts are not valid; that the editing and containment are needed to counter the threats to safely or national security, to remove the rebellion of the politics and corruption of ethics. We as individual need to stand up for this and as librarian and publishers it is the responsibility that they need to come up with the new and disseminating ideas.

And they wish to declare the public interest in preserving the freedom to read. (Alabama’s school library media handbook for the 21st century learner, section 1, p. 3) Moreover, libraries are more essential 1. 8 Research Methodology: There are two kinds of methodology, one is quantitative and other is qualitative. Quantitative or qualitative research selection determines the method is to be applied to analyze data (Dawson, 2002). in this study, “quantitative methodology” will be use because it will collect, analyze and interpret data by recording statistical data.

This study will conducted in over Karachi through the questionnaire survey and the aim is to make specific from generalization based on study of few variables those will b examined through closed-ended questionnaire. Those outcomes will be explored, analyzed and discovered after identification of the factors from researches. 1. 9 Sampling Technique: Sampling is an important element to consider with respect of time saving with tight deadlines to meet. As there are few people involved in this study so the data can be organized in so suitable and manageable way.

Results will be available quickly as sample is relatively small. Selection of sample involves deciding which technique is appropriate in order to select more good. Mainly, there are two basic sampling techniques which are sampling technique and non-probability technique. In probability sampling technique each member of population has equal chance of selection. On the other hand, non-probability defines that the selection is unknown. In this study, non-probability technique is using and under non-probability technique convenience sampling is considered and 50 respondents participated in the survey. . 10 Research Instrument: Data collection through questionnaire has advantages to some extent over other methods. As this study is based on quantitative methodology so the instrument will must n questionnaire. Questionnaire can construct in three types i. e. open-ended, closed-ended and mixture of both (Dawson, 2002). Questionnaire is consisting on set of statements against respondents were asked to mark only one option. 1. 11 Instrument’s Reliability: 1. 12 Ethical Consideration: In any research, most importance and consideration is given to ethics.

In formation of questionnaire, care was taken to ensure that question that asked were simple and straightforward. As far as possible, ambiguity of question asked were avoided. Questions that required more clarity were so modified to provide simple and precise meaning. The respondents should be must participate voluntary and all the respondents have right to withdraw from study anytime and no researcher is allowed to force their respondent to participate. Impact of Library on Students Achievement Dear Respondent,

I am conducting a research on “The Impact of Library on Student’s Achievement”. It will be a great support for me if you could spend fifteen minutes in filling out this questionnaire, which is based on 15 questions. Please help by kindly respond to this questionnaire as accurately as possible. The information gathered will be used for academic research only. Thank you for your time to complete the questionnaire. Your participation will be kept confidential. A: Demographic Profile: (please tick v one that apply to you) 1. What is your age? . Under 20 b. 20-23 c. 24-27 d. 28-31 e. 32-35 f. Over 36 2. What is your gender? a. Male b. Female 3. What is your profession? a. Student b. Professional/Business c. Unemployed d. Others 4. Which part of country do you live? a. Urban b. Rural B: please rate the importance of the following consideration 5 points Likert scale. Where: 1= strongly disagree; 2=disagree; 3=agree; 4=strongly agree Sr. No| Items| Strongly Disagree| Disagree| Agree| Strongly Agree| 1| The library has helped me to learn more fact about my topic. | | | | 2| The library has helped me workout the main ideas I found in library. | | | | | 3| The information I have found in library has helped me become more interested in my topic. | | | | | 4| The information in the library has helped me decide what I need to do new with my topic. | | | | | 5| The library has helped me to know how to use different kind of source like magazines computer CD’s. | | | | | 6| The library has helped me to talk more in the class discussion. | | | | | 7| The library has helped me to think harder about my project assignment. | | | | 8| Things I have learnt in library have helped me study at home. | | | | | 9| The library has helped me when I do not understand something. | | | | | 10| The library has helped me when I have personal concern and issues. | | | | | 11| The library has helped me to get better grades in quizzes and exams. | | | | | 12| The library has helped me feel more confident about my topic. | | | | | 13| The library has helped me feel more confident for asking assistance. | | | | | 14| The library has helped me more interested in computers. | | | | 15| The library has helped me get more organized with my ideas. | | | | | Adapted from: Hay, L. (2004). Impact of library on student’s achievement. Synergy 3(4). Thank you for your time and co-operation References: Alabama’s school library media handbook for the 21st century learner, Accessed at: http://alex. state. al. us/librarymedia/Library%20Media%20Handbook. pdf Chan, 2008, the impact of school library services on student’s achievement and the implications for advocacy: A review of the literature, Hong Kong Baptist University, Chancp@hkbu. du. hk , Accessed at: <http://repository. hkbu. edu. hk/cgi/viewcontent. cgi? article=1004&context=lib ja Dawson, D. C. (2002), Practical Research Method, United Kingdom, How Books ltd. Harrison, why library history? Accesses at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com/journals. htm? articleid=859354 L. krolak, 2005, the role of librarians in literate environment, Accessed at: http://www. ifla. org–www. ifla. org/files/assets/literacy-and-reading/publications/role-of-libraries-in-creation-of-literate-environments. pdf Lance, H. pennell & M.

J. Rodney, 1999, the school librarian as an agent of academic achievement in Alaska school, Information empowered, Accessed at: http://www. library. state. ak. us/pdf/anc/infoemxs. pdf Lonsdale, impact of school library on student achievement, a review of the research, Accessed at: http://www. asla. org. au/site/defaultsite/filesystem/documents/research. pdf S. Singh, 2003, Library and literacy movement for national development, Accessed at: http://books. google. com. pk/books? id=JmmeWL_9hqAC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false