Malaysian public school libraries / Roziya Abu

School libraries are believed to have positive impacts on
students’ achievement. It is said that a strong library program that
is adequately staffed, resourced and funded can lead to
a higher student achievement regardless of their parents
socioeconomic or educational levels as well as the local
community demographic background. Thus, these achievements
must in one way or another link with the quality of the collection
of the school library and its success in integrating information
literacy into the school curriculum. This attainment will
determine students’ mastery of both content and
information seeking skills. Furthermore, an effective school
library management and resources, is believed in making
positive differences to students’ self-esteem, confidence,
independence and sense of responsibility regarding their own
learning efforts. Nevertheless, the context in which school
librarians and teacher librarians operate today has changed
significantly. In Malaysia particularly, there has been a very
low numbers of qualified teacher librarians employed in
public school libraries. Hence, explosions in information
production and the development of information
communication technologies (ICTs); changes in educational
philosophy and practice, including a greater focus on learning
outcomes,inquiry-based learning, evidence-based practice and
school accountability; and changes in the nature and role of the
teacher librarian because of these developments, is making it
harder for our local school libraries. These recent challenges and
trends suggest that a review of literature on the impact of school
libraries on students’ achievement in Malaysian context is
urgently needed. This paper will investigate the current state of
Malaysian public-school libraries - its usage, its impact and its
future in relation to endorsing young Malaysia Highfliers.