Abstract

The study was on study habits, use of libraries and students’ academic performance in selected secondary schools in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State. Survey technique was adopted for the study, and the instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Complete enumeration was the procedure used for the study. 296 copies of questionnaire were administered and retrieved but 14 copies were invalid. Thus, 284 (95%) copies were valid for analysis. Major findings of the study revealed among others that irregular use of school libraries by the students was one of the factors for poor scores in test and examination, many students did not study outside the school, and academic performance of the students was poor in Mathematics and English Language. The study concluded that study habits of the students were bad and academic performance of the students was poor. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that library study hours should be included on the school time table to allow students to have a specific time to use the school library on a regular basis; school libraries should open beyond school hours to enable the students the opportunity to study after school hours, students should find suitable and comfortable places to study outside the class each day, and amount of time used by the students for study must be increased both at school library and at home in order to devote quality time to study.

Key words: Study habits, academic performance, library influence, reading and learning, access, information.