The rising population of aliterates in Nigerian schools: role of school libraries

This paper examines aliteracy (being able to read but refusing to read or only doing so reluctantly) and the factors responsible for its spread among those who can read especially young people in school. The decline in reading among young people in the society has been blamed on several factors some of which include lack of reading materials, poverty, and lack of reading skills. Research in recent times discovered that lack of reading could result from factors such as lack of interest, motivation, attitude toward reading and others like sports, music, arts, and very recently ICT technologies like internet surfing, computer games, DVD films etc. The paper also highlighted possible consequences of aliteracy as it affects individuals and society. The library can play a role in the fight against aliteracy in schools, especially school libraries through campaigns and reading promotion programmes backed by school authorities. Adapted from the source document