An Investigation on Reading and Library Use Habits of Turkish Students Studying in Primary Schools in Vienna

Abstract

This paper reports the findings ot a research project on the reading and library use habits of Turkish students of primary schools in Vienna. Data were gathered through a number of questionnaires which were filled out by 108 fourth grade students of Turkish descent based in 7 Viennese primary schools, 94 parents, 17 classroom teachers, 7 Turkish language teachers, 7 headmasters, 12 public librarians and 1 school librarian. Both formal and informal interviews were also conducted with the same subjects. We found that students lack proper reading and library use habits. Parents and teachers, who should play an important role in this process, are not adequately involved. Schools have a serious library problem. Students experience difficulties in finding books in Turkish. School and classroom libraries are not adequate and they are mostly dysfunctional. Reading and library use habits are negatively affected by heavy viewing of television programs. We conctude that parents and teachers should be educated; that school libraries should be made functional and stocked with Turkish material of good quality; and that the number of hours of Turkish language courses should be increased and the contents of such courses should be revised.