Pacific Island teens and school libraries : research study examining Pacific Island high school students in South Auckland attitudes towards school libraries

Abstract

This qualitative research study examined the attitudes held by Pacific High Island School Students in South Auckland towards school libraries. Through the exploration of the students' attitudes and opinions, recommendations were made in relation to the services, environment and resources that school libraries offer. The attitudes explored related to the students feelings and thoughts towards libraries (in school and in society), library services and their value, library resources and materials, librarians, the environment and atmosphere of the school library and cultural aspects of students lives that may affect their attitudes towards libraries. This qualitative research study employed focus group interviews as the data gathering technique. Two schools, James Cook High School in Manurewa and De La Salle College in Otahuhu, provided the research population. Before the research project was begun it was assumed that the attitudes held by Pacific Island high school students towards school libraries might be negative. This was proved wrong, students valued school libraries for both educational and recreational activities. Consequently the majority of conclusions in this research study are practical in nature.