HomePAARL Research Journalvol. 5 no. 1 (2018)

FROM BOOK READER TO BOOKLOVER: UNDERSTANDING THE ESSENCE OF LIBRARY SERVICES FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF JOSE RIZAL UNIVERSITY’S JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Rosario C. Camarines

 

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of the junior high school students on the library services and its impact on their personal reading inclination. This study will probe the significance of the existing library services in improving students’ library borrowing and reading habits. The top one hundred (100) borrowers of the junior high school library were identified by extracting it from the KOHA library system. They were considered readers who became booklovers of the junior high school library. Top eight (8) of the one hundred booklovers were invited for a focus group discussion and were asked several questions regarding their experiences on library services and how those experiences influenced their book usage and reading habits. A recorded interview was transcribed and analyzed. Result shows that most of the experiences of the booklovers are focused on the library borrowing, collection services and use of technology-based services such as computers, net books and internet. Moreover, the experiences of the high school booklovers with the different library services offered in the junior high school library influenced students’ book usage and reading habits. Indeed, the library services of JRU junior high school library play a significant role in increasing students’ book usage and in developing students’ reading habits.