University Library Literary Week: A Tool for Quality Reading Habit among Undergraduates in Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

University Library Literary Week: A Tool for Quality Reading Habit among Undergraduates in Nigeria

SOLANKE, Oluwayinka Esther (CLN)

Institute University of Medical Science, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract:-The purpose of this study is to advocate for university library literary week in promoting quality readinghabit among undergraduates in Nigeria. The study is a conceptual paper that employed the review of literature approach to collect, analyse and synthesize information majorly from primary and secondary sources taking the specific research objective into cognizance.
The paper found out that although there are pockets of activities being organised in this direction by academic departments and literary associations, the magnitude becomes more enhanced when university libraries are directly involved. It also found out that universities libraries, besides their statutory functions as repository and facilitator of access to educational and information resources, must in addition engender undergraduates’ reading culture through promotional exercises such as the quarterly library literary reading week. The study further revealed that the method of achieving this will have to include organised forum for interactive sessions with undergraduates and literary celebrities; literary quizzes, read-a book- per week, competitions that attract prizes, etc. It has implication for university library stakeholders in promoting good reading habit among undergraduates which make them to be globally competitive, and stand at par with their colleagues in other part of the world.The study fills an existing dearth in literatures on how university libraries can promote good reading habit in Nigeria via Literary Week.

Keywords: Nigerian Undergraduates’ reading habit, Reading Culture, University Library Literary Week, University Library and Reading

I. INTRODUCTION

Reading involves interpreting written symbols mentally. It is influenced by a number of factors like the degree of exposure, level of education, and consciousness, age, status, home and public environment, cultural background, subject background, etc. It is the silent or loud vocalisation of written words. It entails the recognition and verbalization of symbols. It is an act that can take place internally or externally; a process that involves thinking and many complex skills such as the ability to identify letters and words as well as skim for information.

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