ICT Facilities and Literacy in Rural Non-Government Secondary School Libraries of Bangladesh

Abstract

The study explored the ICT facilities and services at rural Non-Government Secondary (NGS) school libraries in Bangladesh. It identified the ICT literacy of NGS school library professionals known as assistant librarians. An exploratory method was used to ensure the best possible outcomes. Based on the interview and literature review in the qualitative phase, a questionnaire was developed for the quantitative phase and collected 86 responses using an online survey. Findings showed, most of the rural NGS school libraries do not have the ICT facilities and of those that do, they are insufficient in number to provide efficient services to library users. There was a lack of ICT skills among assistant librarians and most agreed that ICT literacy would increase the efficiency of their work and regarded it as an essential tool for school libraries. The study provides an analysis of the prevailing situation that helps in planning for policy makers and further in-depth research.