Course: Master in Library and Information Science
School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City
Subject Area: Library Use, School Libraries
Year of Graduation: 2005
Statement of the Problem
The study basically aimed to conduct an exploratory study of St. Stephen’s Elementary School’s Most Avid Readers (MAR). In examining and comparing the general average of students with different gradations of usage of library materials, the study sought to reinforce the argument that increased usage of library materials helps improve the academic performance of students. The study also sought to examine whether frequent usage of the library materials is a characteristic that can only attributed to outstanding students. This research also aimed to examine whether the proximity of students’ residence to the school and their parents’ occupation were intervening factors in students’ being MAR. Inclusion in the MAR List implies a very high frequency of usage of materials in St. Stephen’s Elementary Library’s collection.
Methodology
Following a record linkage method, the researcher used the names in the two MAR lists as ‘lead’ in looking up the scholastic records (for purposes of data analysis, the general average obtained by non-MAR students for each grade level during the two school years were also tabulated) of the students included in the listings. Having complied the general average obtained by students in the MAR lists; these were compared with that of non-MAR students to find out whether the general average they obtained were higher / lower from that of the general population of students in St. Stephen’s Elementary School.
Findings
1. The mean general average obtained by SY 2002-2003 MAR and SY 2003-2004 MAR were consistently higher for all grade levels compared to the mean general average obtained by non-MAR students.
2. The general average obtained by second-time-MAR have a higher minimum value, maximum value and mean as compared to the minimum value, maximum value and mean general average obtained by first-time MAR. Standard deviations from the mean general average obtained by second-time-MAR are lower as compared to the standard deviations for first time MAR.
3. More than one-fourth of MAR population in each of the two annual lists were recipients of the Principal’s Evaluation Award and that the population of MAR awardees in the Principal’s Evaluation Award constitute less than one-fifth of the total population of awardees.
4. MAR also reside in areas where non-MAR students enrolled in St. Stephen’s Elementary School usually reside and the occupational distribution of parents of MAR is just as heterogeneous and fairly resembles the occupation distribution of parents of non-MAR students. The findings of this study dispel the myth that only outstanding students appreciate reading and library services. This tell librarian that the library’s collection and services must be promoted to all students and the habit of reading can be developed by everyone – not only by those whom we call ‘nerds.’
