Provision of school libraries: Using universal basic education guidelines

The study investigated the provision of public primary school libraries using Universal Basic Education (UBE) Minimum Guidelines for libraries in Kano state. The study aims at finding out the extent to which public primary schools have provided libraries in terms of location, space, size, furniture, collection, organization, staff and funding using the UBE guidelines. Findings revealed that the provision of public primary school libraries in Kano state was not in line with the provisions of the Universal Basic Education Minimum Guidelines. Most of the libraries were not situated in appropriate location within the school; there were inadequate furniture in the libraries; the library collection was insufficient for the users; there was no regular weeding of outdated library materials; there were unqualified library staff. Result revealed that funding and lack of qualified library staff were the major constraint to the provision of public primary school libraries. The study recommended that there should be adequate funding to ensure that school libraries are provided following the UBE minimum guidelines.