THE READING HABITS OF UNDERGRADUATES AS DEDUCED FROM THE USE OF THE LIBRARY: A CASE STUDY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ADO-EKITI,NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper examines the reading habits of undergraduates as deduced from the use of the Library. Different kinds of books make different kinds of contribution to a man’s education. Utilitarian reading helps to pass examination and to obtain good results and certificates, while reading for pleasure (leisure) things like newspapers, novels, story books, etc, improves one's spoken and written English, as these books entertain, inform and educate.

A sample of 110 undergraduates, (male and female) reading in the Library, as at the time of this survey, was drawn for the study, out of which 97 responses, representing 88% were received and used. The study shows that undergraduates engage in utilitarian reading as 73 (75.26%) of the sampled population confirmed this. Eighty(82.47%) claimed that they use the library more during the session, an indication that undergraduates normally desert the Library the moment they are through with their examinations at the end of a semester or session.

Recommendations were made as to what could be read for pleasure to complement utilitarian reading and to cultivate the reading habit in our undergraduates.