READING CULTURE AND USERS’ INSTRUCTION AS DETERMINANTS OF LIBRARY PATRONAGE AMONG STUDENTS IN FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, OFFA

The usage of libraries is also another crucial element that is used to justify the value and further role of libraries in the polytechnic community. However, it has been noted and reported that the use of the library in most academic libraries in Nigeria is becoming very low. The question arises as to whether this is caused by poor reading practices among students or a poor teaching on the information resources and facilities provided by libraries. The current research thus explored the impact of reading culture and instruction to the consumers on the use of the academic library within the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State. The research assumed a descriptive survey design. The population was composed of 23, 000 students in Federal Polytechnic Offa. To obtain a sample size of 390, Yaro Yamani was used. The respondents returned 350 out of 390 questionnaires, which were retrieved and filled appropriately. Frequency distribution and percentage counts were used to analyze the data obtained. Findings of the study established that the respondents make infrequent use of the library; research findings show that students face a number of challenges when accessing library materials. The paper has ended by saying that the polytechnic library has the responsibility of fulfilling the information requirement of the community where they are located and so recommends that the libraries must encourage students at all levels to develop the reading culture by holding regular seminars and workshops to enhance reading culture. Regular reading campaigns are supposed to be carried out. The Polytechnic library must also endeavor to give facilities and resources that will not only satisfy the information need of the users but also skilled and efficient employees to aid.