-
School Libraries As An Effective Instrument For Achieving Academic Excellence
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 5]
Page 3 of 5
-
-
-
1.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SECONDARY SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN OWERRI TOWN
The
development of secondary school libraries in Owerri town could not be
treated in isolation from that of school libraries in general in Owerri
which commenced in the early 1950’s.
This historical development of
secondary schools library started in government secondary school, Owerri
now government college, Owerri which was established in 1952 and modern
school, Owerri now Girls’ Secondary School, Owerri established in 1955.
Libraries
in secondary school are established in government trade centre, which
serves the educational (Technical) needs of those students in the
technical education sector.
Moreover, due to the type of materials
the library stock, it could not serve the general interest of the
students in Owerri town. For this reason another library was established
in the modern school, Owerri which now serve various categories of
students. Despite the type of materials that the library stocked it
contributed immensely to the educational development of the town. This
was the state affairs until another library was established in the
government secondary school which before then serve as a book depot for
schools in the then Eastern region, as it was from there that books
meant for primary and secondary in the eastern region sent by the then
Colonia government were deposited for the various number of volumes of
books meant for their school. However, it must be noted that the central
library at Enugu was also providing library service known as “library
on wheels†to schools in Owerri town (secondary school) before the war,
(Nigeria civil war). This factor led to the promotion of the
establishment of libraries in secondary schools in Owerri town which
were though largely organized and were left to the part-time of
teachers. The libraries then in some of these schools were either
location in one classroom or found to be in the principals office.
In
1955 the Government College, Holy Ghost College, Girls Secondary School
Owerri were founded. The Government Technical College, Owerri was
founded in 1952, FederalGovernment Girls College, 1973 and Bishop
Lasbrey Girls Secondary School, 1952 become secondary school in 1986.
In
1957 a library was established in the government college with the aid
of the books deposited in the institution. Then a teacher librarian was
trained by the administrators who were white men at Enugu. It has the
largest volume of books amongst all the schools in Owerri town which
strives till today. The library building had a statue of students
clutching a book in a round-about in front of the library to indicates
the building. The person in charge of the library holds a degree in
library science education.
The Government Technical College Library
was established in 1956 for students in the technical and trade sector
of education. Its resources is limited to the type of courses offered in
the college. This is an N.C.E graduate in technical in education but
with librarianship. With background knowledge of librarianship acquired
through attending seminars, workshops, conferences and long period of
the classroom complex which is located in a large hall. It has volume of
books ranging between 1000 to 1500.
In 1973, the Federal government
Girls Secondary School Owerri was established and in 1974 was founded.
The library caters for the interest needs of students in the secondary
section and those in higher school section (lower and upper sixth
students) this accounts for its large number of volumes of 3,500. The
library is manned by a professional librarian with a bachelor of library
science degree. Since 1973 the school has achieved its inception. The
library is allocated an entire building and has links with the academic
feats.
After the conversion of Bishop Lasbery Girls Secondary School
Irette to a secondary school then the library was established in 1986,
which is located in one classroom and manned by a teacher librarian. The
library has volumes of books ranging between 800 to 1000.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 5]
Page 3 of 5
-
