The Role of School Libraries in Reading Habits in the Context of Sustainable Education Goals

This study aims to examine the effect of school libraries at different educational levels on students’ reading habits and to evaluate the relationship between this effect and sustainable education goals. The study was conducted as quantitative research using a survey design. Data were collected from 602 students attending primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary schools in the provinces of Ankara and Kırıkkale through a questionnaire developed by the researchers. Data were analysed using frequency and percentage distributions and Pearson chi-square (χ²) tests. The findings indicate that students who regularly use the school library have significantly more positive perceptions of its impact on their reading habits, whereas this perception remains quite low among students who never use the library. It was found that upper secondary school students use the library more frequently; however, this use is largely limited to academic purposes, while a considerable proportion of primary and lower secondary school students do not use the library at all. In addition, satisfaction with library services decreases as the level of education increases, with upper secondary school students being particularly critical of book collections and staff support. Overall, the results demonstrate that school libraries play an important role in supporting reading habits and promoting equal opportunities in education; however, this potential needs to be reinforced through effective policies and structural improvements.