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READER AND LIBRARY USERS: A STUDY OF READING HABITS AND PUBLIC LIBRARY USE IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the Study

Awoyemi (2019) sees information as the most important element for progress in society. To thrive in this modern era, one needs a variety of information, no matter how well versed one is in a field or profession. Rapid changes in every field have made information a key resource for survival in this world. Every moment of lives depends on information, without which, it would be difficult to exist in the present information oriented society. One way of getting information is to read. In the words of Sisulu (2017) cited in Igwe (2019), reading is one of the fundamental building blocks of learning, becoming a skilled and adaptable reader enhances the chances of success at school and beyond. Reading is not just for school, it is for life. Reading in all its variety is vital to being better informed, have a better understanding of oneself as well as others. It makes man to be a thoughtful and constructive contributor to a democratic and cohesive society. International Journal of Library and Information Science Studies Vol.4, No.1, pp.32-56, January 2018 ___Published by European Centre for Research Training and Development UK (www.eajournals.org) 33 Print ISSN: 2059-9056, Online ISSN: 2059-9064.

The definition of reading has gone through many changes. In the past, reading simply meant to extract visual information from any given codes or systems. However, thereafter, reading became much more complex and involved the understanding of a whole text composed of written signs. Smith & Robinson (1980) defined reading as “an active attempt on the part of reader to understand a writer’s message.” According to Toit (2017) “Reading is a process of thinking, recalling and relating concepts under the functioning of written words”. Reading provides experience through which the individual may expand his horizons of knowledge, identify, extend and intensify his interest and gains deeper understanding of himself, of other human beings and of the world (Chettri and Rout (2013). Devarajan (1989) defined reading as the art of interpreting printed and written words.

Lone (2018) describes reading has been the passion of the greatest personalities of all times. Humans have been reading since ages, and thus, words of knowledge have been passed on through generations. Reading is an action of a person who reads and habit is a product of this action or learning. Like all other habits, the habit or reading in an individual develops during the course of time (Thanuskodi,2019). A habit is a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up (Jato, Ogunnniyi and Olubiyo, 2019).

The reading habit influences in the promotion of one’s personal development in particular and social progress in general. Regular and systematic reading sharpens the intellect, refines the emotions, elevates tastes and provides perspectives for one’s living; and thereby prepares a person for an effective participation in the social, religious, cultural and political life. Reading fires the imagination of the person. It adds new sight to eyes and new wisdom to mind. Reading loads the mind with new software (Satija, 2017).

The individual who reads well has a means for widening mental horizons and for multiplying opportunities of success. Reading is a vital factor affecting intellectual and emotional growth. The library is one of the information centres where a person can obtain information. It is also a place where a person can go to read or study. Libraries are places where the habit of reading books can be acquired. Libraries increase student success at school and they help them to acquire the educational knowledge necessary for adapting to changing and evolving circumstances (Curley, 1990; Kachel 1997).

Parvathamma and Reddy (2009) as cited by Obinyan, et al (2011) noted that public libraries have improved literacy through various information and educational services that they render over time. They are also well known to stimulate imaginative thoughts and expand personal horizons while making the empowerment of

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