ABSTRACT

This study aims at determining the need of having libraries in special schools (schools for the handicapped). The research problem of this study highlights library as an integral part of any qualitative education, acting as a bedrock for any qualitative learning. The study aims at finding out what type of information materials the handicapped students need, what type of information service they require. How will the services of the library be of benefit to the handicapped; do they need specially designed libraries and what are the factors that affect the establishment of libraries in their schools. The objectives of this study is to determine the information needs of the handicapped, the use to which the handicapped put the libraries in their schools and to ascertain the extent the school libraries satisfy the information needs of the handicapped. This work is limited to three special schools in Imo and Abia States. It specially focuses on the school for the blind, Umuahia, the Imo State Secondary School for the deaf, Orodo and the Marist Rehabilitation Centre, Uturu. The significance of this study is to enlighten the administrators of special schools in Imo and Abia States and the Ministry of Education and Voluntary Organization of the importance of libraries in special schools. It was discovered that 38% of the handicapped students make use of the ill-equipped libraries in their schools. They use the libraries for their class assignments seeking information and for recreational purpose. The students were not taught how to effectively use the library because of the non-professionals that Mann these libraries. As a result of this, some of them encounter problems in locating books and information. The students are however, offered some assistance. The researcher recommended that special schools be given adequate grants by the government for their up - keep. Provided with adequate and up-to-date information materials, qualified specially trained librarians be employed to manage these school libraries and users education be introduced in the educational curriculum ofthese schools.