Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
10-14-2021
Abstract
The functionality of school libraries depends on the availability of an effective school library policy. The role played by the school principal and school-based management committee is critical in terms of establishing, developing, and maintaining successful and functional school libraries. Their support plays a key role in the effectiveness of the school library policy. The purpose of the study was to investigate the perceived role of the school principal and school-based management committee in school library administration and management and highlight the implications for school library policy. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. A representative sample of 350 respondents comprising 50 teacher-librarians, 100 classroom teachers, 50 principals and 150 parents completed the research questionnaire. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. The finding of the study shows that both the school principal and school-based management committee play crucial role in school library administration and management. Finding also show that there is no significant difference in the mean ratings of teacher librarians, classroom teachers, principals and parents regarding the role of the school principal (F(3,346)=.167, p=.92) and school-based management committee (F(3,346)=.007, p=.99) in school library administration and management. The implications of the findings for school library policy were discussed.