The Influence of Library Resources Utilization on Students’ Academic Performance: A Case Study of Public Secondary Schools in Dodoma Municipality

This study investigated the influence of library resources utilization on students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Dodoma municipality. The specific objectives were to examine how teachers guide students on library utilization; how library utilization influence students’ academic performance; perceptions of students and teachers on the utility of library resources and challenges facing students and teachers on library utilization. This study was guided by the activity theory. A multiple case study design was used in carrying out this study. In this study employed qualitative and quantitative research approach. The total number of respondents involved in the study was 96 which included 64 students, 24 teachers and eight librarians. The study employed purposive, stratified and simple random sampling techniques for selecting the respondents. Questionnaire, interviews and documentary review were used in collecting data. The study employed descriptive statistics in analyzing data by using SPSS version 20. The findings revealed that the status of the few existing school libraries was not satisfactory to facilitate effective student learning as condition of the school libraries was poor in terms of space for placing the books and space for the library users. The findings further revealed that school libraries were most frequently used by students to get information by borrowing books and using them for private studies. The challenges facing school libraries included; inadequate tables and sitting facilities,lack of professional librarians, lack of current and up to datereading materials. The study recommends to the government and other stakeholders to build strengthen and revive school libraries for the purpose of making them useful in enhancing students’ learning. Related studies should be carried out in secondary schools situated in rural areas.