Abstract

Primary school libraries play an fundamental skills of literacy and the desire for habitual reading. They contribute significantly to the success of the education system at the primary level. This study was therefore carried out to assess the public primary school libraries in Umuahia metropolis of Abia State, Nigeria. The study investigated the availability of libraries in the primary schools and also the adequacy of the libraries in terms of space, furniture, print and non-print materials, and personnel. The research design for the study was descriptive survey research design. The assessment was carried out on all the 24 public primary schools in Umuahia metropolis. The research instruments of interview and observation were used in data collection. The data collected were analyzed using frequency count and percentages. Findings ofthe research reveal that most of the primary schools in Umuahia metropolis (54%) do not have libraries; only 4% of the existing primary school libraries have adequate space; as many as 96% of the available primary school libraries do not have audio-visual materials; and non of the school libraries have adequate personnel. The paper recommends, among others that: libraries should be established in all the primary schools in Umuahia metropolis; there should be a separate library building for each public primary school with adequate space, shelves, reading tables and chairs; and Abia state government should channel more resources into primary school library development.