A survey study on school library book borrowing patterns of primary school children according to age, sex and reading ability

Abstract

This survey study examines the type and frequency of books borrowed by students according to age, sex and reading ability. It seeks to redress the sparsity of information available on the types and style of books borrowed by children. This survey study is based on data gathered over 14 weeks at Wanniassa Hills Primary School. Weekly library borrowings were recorded for “Years 2, 3/4 and 5/6. A sample of 90 children, 30 from each year level was selected and individual borrowings were coded for analysis according to the type of book borrowed. The SAS System was used to tabulate the data and conclusions were drawn from the results thus obtained. The survey study revealed that females borrow more books generally than males. A general pat1em of book borrowing is evident. Females tend to progress more quickly than males through this pattern of borrowing. Males tend to prefer Non-Fiction books. progressing to Choose Your Own Adventure books and Fantasy Game books. Recommendations are based on these findings and other outcomes of the survey study. This survey study has implications for classroom practice, libraries, basic readers and further study,

Date of Award	1992
Original language	English