GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to assess library roles in the provision of reading materials for exercises and sports for the elderly in Akwa Ibom State. A descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. The study was carried out in Akwa Ibom state. The targeted population for the study comprised all librarians in Akwa Ibom state. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 220 respondents which formed the sample size used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “Library and Sport Material for Elderly Questionnaire (LSMEQ)”. Face and content validation of the instrument was carried out by an expert in test, measurement, and evaluation in order to ensure that the instrument has the accuracy, appropriateness, and completeness for the study under consideration. The reliability coefficient obtained was 0.88, and this was high enough to justify the use of the instrument. The researcher subjected the data generated for this study to appropriate statistical technique such percentage analysis to answer research questions. The result of the analysis revealed that the extent of library provision of reading materials on exercises and sport for the elderly in Akwa Ibom state was “very high” and that among other roles libraries prominently provide access to specialized resources as one of the roles in providing reading materials on exercises and sport for the elderly in Akwa Ibom State. The study concluded that by offering relevant and accessible resources, libraries can help the elderly maintain an active lifestyle, thereby improving their overall well-being. One of the recommendations was that libraries should curate and regularly update collections with materials specifically tailored to the elderly, focusing on low-impact exercises, senior fitness programmes, and safe sports practices.

KEYWORD: Library, Reading material, Exercises, Sport and Elderly