Understanding the reading habit and attitudes among the rural community in low literacy rate areas in Malaysia. Rural library perspectives

Pages39-52
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/LM-06-2019-0037
Date04 November 2019
Published date04 November 2019
AuthorSamsul Farid Samsuddin,Hayrol Azril Mohamed Shaffril,Jusang Bolong,Nor Aini Mohamed
Subject MatterLibrary & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion
Understanding the reading habit
and attitudes among the rural
community in low literacy rate
areas in Malaysia
Rural library perspectives
Samsul Farid Samsuddin
Department of Library and Information Science,
University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hayrol Azril Mohamed Shaffril
Institute for Social Science Studies, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
Jusang Bolong
Faculty of Modern Language and Communication,
University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia, and
Nor Aini Mohamed
Institute for Social Science Studies, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reading habit and attitude among rural
communities in the low literacy rate areas in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach Multi-stage cluster and simple random sampling were employed and
400 respondents who live nearby the rural library were selected.
Findings Moderate levels of reading attitude were obtained from the result of the study, in which several
variables produced a significant relationship in the reading attitude (education level, household income and
time spent in reading).
Practical implications Better understanding on the readinghabit and attitude among rural communities
could produce better information on theservice provision towards the establishment of rural libraries in low
literacyrate areas in Malaysia.This would also increasethe utilisation of readingsources and services provided.
Originality/value The paper provides better understanding on the reading habit and attitude among the
rural communities in the low literacy rate areas in using the facilities provided by the rural libraries. The
findings may be useful to the rural literacy and library development community in the developing countries.
Keywords Rural community, Information literacy, Literacy rate, Reading habit, Reading practices,
Rural library
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Most major studies associated with reading in Malaysia were conducted by two renowned
organisations, namely the National Library of Malaysia (NLM) and Dewan Bahasa dan
Pustaka. Some other studies were also conducted by individual researchers such as Pandian
(1997, 2000). Meanwhile, the NLM survey in 1996 through Frank Small and Associates was
conducted to assist in its readership promotion. The study provides a report on the
readership profile of the Malaysian readers. In her research, Pandian (2000) raised two major
concerns involving Malaysian readers. First, only 20 per cent of Malaysians read regularly,
while the rest of the population are categorised as reluctant readers. The second
concern involves students who only read to pass examinations. Studies have shown that
students are reluctant to read for information or pleasure (Pandian, 2000). A study by
Library Management
Vol. 41 No. 1, 2020
pp. 39-52
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-06-2019-0037
Received 27 June 2019
Revised 30 September 2019
Accepted 30 September 2019
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
39
Low literacy
rate areas in
Malaysia

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