Fostering library usage among science students towards Sustainable Development Goals

ABSTRACT This study explores high school libraries and science literacy in South West Nigeria. Availability of human and material resources, attitudes of science students toward the use of libraries, and possible suggestions for improvement of school libraries were examined. Data were collected from six high schools in two states in the south-western part of Nigeria. Quantitative surveys were carried out with three hundred (300) science students. Qualitative data were gathered from student focus groups and semi-structured interviews with thirty (30) students. Illustrative quotes are reported extensively in the paper. The comments were transcribed and coded to identify common themes and factors. The study confirms that there is a wide gap between policy and implementation. This gap is attributable to; lack of resource, inadequate reading space, limited reading time, non-digitization of the libraries etc. The study shows that there is a need for effective implementation of government policies to achieve improved scientific literacy rates.