CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1Background to the study Education is the key factor in the development and advancement of a society. Eachindividual in a country should be considered as an asset because it is due to the overallcontribution of human resources that a nation can progress and advance. To integrate eachindividual in the process of development and advancement of the nation, suitable educationand training is very important. Since education and training of an individual is a lifelongprocess every nation must be aware of this fact, if proper directions are to be given to itspeople. To ensure that people get a lifelong education library should be made accessibleand library services should be made available at all places, to all sections of the society.It is crystal clear that successful use of library resources involves the positive attitudeof both the school and the student. Attitude is related to behaviour because it‟s one reactiontowards any occurrence which show how one has felt. It is also the root in individualemotions, behaviours and in socio-economic and political background. It is also important tonote that adequate materials and personnel, as well as the good and efficient use of libraryresources determines the types of attitude with which the students regards their academicperformance.When people hear the term “academic performance” they often think of studentsuccess or achievement. Academic performance represent achievement outcomes thatindicate the extent which a person has accomplish specific goals that were the focus ofactivities in instructional environment, specifically in school. In western country likeCalifornia, the achievement of school is measured by the academic performance. It is one ofthe criteria for institutional ranking.Therefore, it is essential to create captivating, inviting and comfortable place for the studentin order to help them cultivate good attitude towards the use of library resources. Library,more than any other place, provides ideal environment and vital information resources forstudent to develop excellent performance in academic works. Thus, it is imperative for thestudent to cultivate good attitude that will equip them for excellent performance in theiracademic work through the use of a school library. Farrant (2012) notes attitude is a majordeterminant of the individual orientation towards his social and physical environmentincluding himself. Africans and indeed Nigerians are not used to reading because the pre-dominantly medium of communication is oral. Africans are not reading society but chattingsociety. In the light of creating a good attitude towards the use of library resources, student areoften advised to have a particular study area, stick to a specific schedule and do one task at atime. However, school library provides a quiet study place and environment that is conduciveto mental concentration. Adesoji (2020) cited Omoniwa who post those libraries have beenassociated with the concept of life-long reading and learning. It was stated further that libraryespecially school libraries are desirable in order to inculcate into the student the student veryearly in life the attitude for various purposes such as education, pleasure, information etc.Students‟ academic performance is predicated on study and reading skills. There is adirect correlation between student attitude towards reading and student academicperformance, student would not be able to perform excellently in their tests and examination. The national policy on education (2014) stipulated that secondary school education isan instrument for national development, general development of the society and equality ofeducational opportunities to all Nigerian children. Libraries are as informant for children as education itself. Library services implyboth availability and accessibility of library facilities and services to the use and thewillingness and ability of readers to use the facilities and services. Information is power andaccess to information is indispensable to individual advancement as well as corporateeducational development. Students need the library for effective learning for lifelongeducation in consonance with the National Policy on Education, Federal Republic of NigeriaFRN (2014), which states that, “the aim of basic education is equip individual with suchknowledge, skill and attitude that will enable them to live meaningful and fulfilling livescontribute to the development of the society. Stressing the role the library plays in the environment of learning, Travaline (2015) maintains that today’s library is like is big playground waiting to be explored and the librarian the best playmate: one who makes the playground worthwhile. Herbert (2016) agrees, saying that children’s literacy develops and emerges as they explore and participate in a literacy-rich environment. The Education for all EFA (2020) frameworks on action for meeting basic learning need argued there is a need to recognize libraries as in valuable information resources which must work in partnership with social and community workers. Obanya (2014) explains that library curriculum should be part of basic education for effective and excellent performanceof student. The National policy on education FRN (2014), from which the universal basic education commission (UBEC) derives it’s establishment clearly states the objectives ofNigerian education and indicates that the philosophy of the individual into a sound and effective citizen and the provision of equal opportunities for all citizens at the primary, secondary and tertiary level inside and outside the formal school system. Education is depended upon the libraries for successful implementation of its academic programmes. The primary aim of the education is to impact specialized andadvanced knowledge to the student and enable them to acquire competence and the skill invarious field of human activity. Thus the basic function of a school library is to assist itsparent body/curriculum to carry out its programme. A library has been regarded as the heartof the school by dissemination of knowledge to the students, and the teacher. The users of aschool library are teacher, student and administrative staff. 1.1.1Historical Background of the Federal Polytechnic Offa and its Library The Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State was established with a decree in 1992 to offer National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes in engineering, management studies, applied sciences and humanities. Since its inception, the polytechnic has produced numerous outstanding students in different areas of human endeavours and this account for the reason why it was tagged as the fastest growing polytechnic in Nigeria. Due to its innovation and enormous contribution to research, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation identified the polytechnic as an important partner in eradicating poverty in Africa through the Sweet Potato for bread and other confectioneries. Currently, the polytechnic has six schools which coordinate the academic activities of the different departments of the institutions andseveral administrativeunits which offer support services to the institution. The Federal Polytechnic Offa library, named after Late Williams Adedoyin, was established in 1992 at the Mini Campus of the institution. Presently, the polytechnic has two libraries; one at the Mini Campus and one at the permanent site of the institution. The polytechnic libraries was set up to provide adequate information services to the polytechnic community which consists of students, lecturers, technologists and administrative staff of the six schools and the various administrative units of the polytechnics in order to support their teaching, learning and research needs. There are four major sections in the libraries: administrative section, reader services section which consists of circulation section, reference section and reserve book section; technical services section which encompasses the cataloguing and classification unit, serials unit and reprography unit as well as the e-library section. Both Libraries have e-libraries sections with several laptops and desktops for both staff and students’ use which became fully operational in

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