Analysis of Users' Library Use Habits and Perception of Library Importance
Libraries play a crucial role in educational institutions by supporting teaching, learning, and research. Understanding users' habits and perceptions is essential for efficient library services. This study focuses on exploring students' library use habits and analyzing their perceptions of library importance. The research methodology involved a survey among postgraduate students to gather insights. Findings include demographics of users, preferred information sources, and more.
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TITLE:ANALYSIS OF USERS LIBRARY USE HABITS AND PERCEPTION OF LIBRARY IMPORTANCE Sahil Bains Student, School of Social Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University,India
Contents Introduction Objectives Research Methodology Findings Conclusion
Introduction Libraries are integral part of institutions that facilitate teaching, learning and research. The working and performance of academic libraries whether a school library or college or university library, is important to promote and fulfil the objectives of the parent institution which they are serving. To serve the users competently, it becomes very important to observe the habits of users to the use of library. The user centric studies help in framing procedures and policies to administrate the library and in its smooth functioning.
Objectives The user studies greatly help the libraries and librarians in understanding the needs of the users and in providing efficient services to their patrons. It helps to find out the weaknesses and strengths of the services provided by a library. This study is conducted to analyze the habits of users regarding the use of library and its importance. Its objectives are to- Explore library use by the students. Analyse user s perception about library importance.
Research Methodology For the data collection regarding the present study, survey method of research was adopted. The questionnaire was designed in Google forms and was disseminated online to the post graduate students of the University of Jammu. A total of 128 responses were received.
Findings 1. Distribution of the users based on their age and gender The users here are the postgraduate students and are mostly from the age group of 21- 25 years accounting for 98.4% and the remaining 1.6% users are below 21 years. Out of the total users participating in this survey, 64.1% are female users and 35.9% are male users.
2. Information sources used by the students Information source Textbooks Search engines Research articles Periodicals Study guides Reference books Percentage(%) 56.3 40.6 26.6 4.7 9.7 54.7 The users mostly relied on textbooks (56.3%), reference books (54.7%) and search engines (40.6%). The other less used sources are research articles (26.6%), study guides (9.4%) and periodical publications (4.7%)
3. Regularity of using library Time Regularly Sometimes Occasionally Seldom Hardly ever Percentage (%) 29.7 42.2 25 3.1 0 The students who visit the library regularly are 29.7%, those using sometimes are 42.2% (maximum), those using occasionally are 25% and those who seldom visits the library are 3.1%.
4. Reason of visiting the library Reason Newspaper/magazine reading Internet use To borrow material To perform designated work Some other purpose Percentage(%) 25 1.5 14.1 40.6 18.6 5. Significance of library Significance Of great significance Somewhat significant No significance Percentage(%) 84.4 15.6 0 Majority of the library users (84.4%) believe that using library is of great significance and 15.6% of the users consider using library to be somewhat significant. There is no such user who thinks of library as not being significant.
6. Major function of the library Role To provide suitable learning environment 57.8 To provide access to vital resources Skill enhancement To support curriculum Percentage (%) 29.7 1.6 10.9 Most of the users (57.8%) are of the view that the major function of the library is to provide suitable learning environment. The other functions are to provide access to vital resources (29.7%),to support curriculum (10.9%) and skill enhancement (1.6%). 7. Factors for not using the library Factor Reluctance Lack of awareness of library services No cooperation from staff Insufficient collection Some other unknown reasons Percentage (%) 59.4 18.8 0 9.4 12.4
8. Role of library in making the users competent Role Considerable Moderate Fair No role Percentage (%) 35.9 17.2 45.3 1.6 The users who consider that the library has considerable role in making them competent are 35.9%, those who consider its role to be moderate are 17.2%. Maximum users (45.3%) believe that library has fair role to play in making users competent whereas only 1.6% users consider that library has no role in competence.
9. Users contentment with library services Contentment Very high High Intermediate Low Very low Percentage (%) 23.4 17.2 48.4 9.4 1.6 Most of the users have intermediate contentment with the library services (48.4%). 23.4% and 17.2% users have very high and high contentment level respectively. Those users with low and very low contentment with various library services are 9.4% and 1.6% respectively.
10. Scope for improvement Category Percentage (%) Infrastructure 12.5 Library holdings 25 Assistance from staff 6.2 Internet facility Some other 46.9 9.4 It is observed that work is needed to be done in internet section as revealed by 46.9% users. 25% users suggested improvement in holdings of the library. Other areas where improvement is required are infrastructure (12.5%), assistance from staff (6.2%) and some other (9.4%). 11. Library s appraisal in fulfilling the requirements of the users 48.50% 50.00% 45.00% 40.00% 31.25% 35.00% 30.00% Score given by the users 25.00% 20.00% 14.00% 15.00% 6.25% 10.00% 5.00% 0% 0.00% 1 2 3 4 5
Conclusion The study is performed to examine the perception and habits of library users whose outcomes could be decisive for the librarian to analysis of present services and shows the way for the betterment of the library. Textbooks and reference books are the mostly used sources by the users. The significance of the library is revealed to be high. The users are of the view that the major function of the library is to provide suitable learning environment. Reluctance is the major contributing factor for the disuse of library, hence there is need to eliminate the hesitance from the users by making them comfortable with different sections of the library. This can be done by conducting an orientation programme. The contentment of most of the users with the library is intermediate. Major improvement is required to be done in areas of internet and holdings of the library.
