Information literacy skills as predictors of school media centre service patronage in federal government colleges in North Central, Nigeria

The study examined the relationship between information literacy skills as predictors of school media centre (SMC) service patronage in federal government colleges (FGC) in North Central, Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined the relationship between information literacy skills and school media service, ascertain the level of service patronage by users of the SMC and identified challenges facing SMC in North Central, Nigeria. The study adopted correlational research survey design and descriptive design. The population of the study comprised of 10.108 students from six FGC schools selected from North Central, Nigeria. The sample size were 3,307 student from the six FGC selected. The instrument was validated by 3 experts. Two from department of library and information science and one from department of measurement and evaluation University of Nigeria Nsukka. The reliability of the instrument was established by trial-test of the instrument with 30 FGC, Nsukka, Enugu State. The Cronbach’s alpha method was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument. The instrument showed overall coefficient value of 0.98. The data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation and multiple regression. Research questions 1 was analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient while mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions 2 and 3. However, linear regression was used to test hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed a positive relationship between information literacy skills and school media school patronage, respondents patronize circulation services and ICT while reprographic services are rarely used. While challenges are poor funding, lack of appropriate budget allocation, poor reading culture and inadequate coordinator of SMC. The study recommends the provision of current school media centre resources and services, provision of functional school media centre, create awareness when new information resources are required, adequate provision of funds and functional SMC services to further promote school media centre service patronage and enhance students’ academic achievement for students in federal government colleges in North Central, Nigeria.