Guidelines for Improving library services at Mbogo Mixed Secondary School Library

Abstract

A study was carried out in order to develop guidelines for improving library services at Mbogo Mixed Secondary School Library. The objectives of the study were to; establish the current status of library services provided at Mbogo Mixed SS Library, find out how library services at Mbogo Mixed SS Library are managed, identify the challenges of providing library services at Mbogo Mixed SS Library and propose a set of guidelines for improving library services at Mbogo Mixed SS Library. The study used a case study design. In the study, 78 students were selected using stratified sampling whereas 2 librarians and 2 teachers were purposively selected to participate. Interviews, questionnaires, observation and document analysis were used to collect the data. The study established that Mbogo Mixed SS Library offered a wide range of library services which included; library orientation, reference services, circulation service, book loan services, assistance in locating library materials, exhibition and display, reading space. The study also established that the Library users were only allowed to stay with these materials for a period of two days. Librarians also use the face to face interactions with the library users to update them about the news and updates in the library, notice boards and the library’s face book page. The challenges faced in delivering the library services at Mbogo Mixed SS Library were; inadequate library materials, impatient library users, mishandling of the library materials, delay of issuing school identity cards to students, inadequate reading space, lack of equipments used in processing library materials, few opening hours, outdated library materials, lack of internet in the library and low turn up for students during orientation. The proposed guidelines for improving on the library services offered at Mbogo Mixed SS Library included; employing more qualified staff, providing more reading space, allocating funds to the library and provision of computers and internet in the library. The study recommended that the school library should adopt the proposed guidelines to improve on the provision of library services at Mbogo Mixed SS Library.