Students' View on Library in ICT Environment: A Study of Lala Lajpatrai College, Mumbai

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1 ISSN (P) (e) ' View on Library in ICT Environment: A Study of Lala Lajpatrai College, Mumbai J.H. Kadli* and S.K. Bhosale** To Cite: Kadli, J.H. & Bhosale, S.K. (213). ' view on library in ICT environment: A study of Lala Lajpatrai College, Mumbai. International Journal of Information Dissemination and Technology, 3(3), *Librarian **Asstt. Librarian Lala Lajpatrai College of Commerce & Economics Mumbai Corresponding Author J.H. Kadli jhkadli@gmail.com ABSTRACT are an important user group for their college libraries. Academic libraries are trying very hard to balance the resources and users' needs, especially in this changing environment. The information needs & seeking behaviour of students is being changed by electronic resources. The approach towards resources is constantly changing due to changing formats of information. This study was undertaken to observe the students view on library resources, ICT facilities/services, and their use of library at Lala Lajpatrai College, Mumbai. The results from this study will be useful to enhance the collection development and to implement innovative services to meet students' needs more effectively. This will also provide an answer to how, which and where the library can improve the ICT facilities. A 'Google online survey' and hard copies of questionnaire were used for this study. The survey was conducted between March and April 213. The online survey was sent randomly to 4 students of all courses and 38 students were responded which amounts the response rate 96.2%. This paper establishes the importance of a crosssectional study in understanding the students' information needs, view on library services in different years of their studies. KeyTerms: Information Needs, Library Use, Library Resource, Academic Library, College Library, ICT Facilities, Online Survey. Received On: ; Revised On: ; Accepted On: INTRODUCTION With new technological developments and innovations the new challenges and prospects were arise. The academic library, as a service centre, has for centuries played a critically-important role in developing collections, services, and organizational structures that facilitate users' needs. Brown1 conducted a study on scholarly communication in the digital world. The study claimed that the internet and information-sharing systems brought convenience into scholarly communication. Brown shows that the new technologies make a significant impact on scholarly communication as it has brought people closer in virtual communication. It is clear that the new information technology will bring users new information-seeking patterns. In order to develop better collections and services to meet users' new expectations, the understanding of users' information needs is the key to it, Mackenzie2. ICT is often perceived as a catalyst for change, change in teaching styles, and change in learning approaches and in access to information, Watson3. The Internet and the www are constantly influencing the development of new modes of scholarly communications. Libraries are redesigning their services, and information products, incorporating new technologies upgrading information resources, training people, changing information objectives, modes of communication and information delivery, in order to add value to their services and to satisfy the changing information needs of user community. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY This study is informed by the need to carry out a research with focus on College Libraries as there has been no study on students view in Mumbai colleges about computer, Internet and library services in changing ICT environment. The syllabus is changed; new format of examination is introduced; library oriented study/learning; change in learning infrastructure (class room as well as library). This study was also restructured to explore on the information needs of the students. This would assist teachers to know their students better. It also a service guide for Lala Lajpatrai International Journal of Information Dissemination and Technology July-September 213 Vol. 3 Issue 3 23

2 college library in developing ICT Infrastructure. DESIGN/ METHODOLOGY This study is therefore of high importance to faculty and library as it would provide a guide to drafting a 3 year strategic plan which includes the teaching of information communication technology in their study/learning and implementing new services through ICT. A questionnaire was designed in google survey forms and administered to investigate the view on library by students studying in various courses in different years of their studies. A 'google online survey' and hard copies of questionnaire were used for this study. The survey was conducted between March and April 213. The online survey was sent randomly to 4 students of all courses and 38 students were responded which amounts the response rate 96.2%. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY In this study, the main aim is to find out students' view and whether students make the optimum use of library resources and services/facilities. SCOPE & LIMITATIONS The study covers students from all courses and is limited to undergraduate students of Lala Lajpatrai College. It does not include students of the postgraduate and pre university level in the sample. The objectives of the study are as follows: Find out the students' acquaintance with Internet. Discover the level of experience in computer operations. Know the place and frequency of use of computers/internet by students. Identify the importance of computers/internet facility in library. The data obtained through the questionnaires has been analyzed, interpreted, organized and tabulated under various headings as given below: Know the satisfaction of students in using college library resources. Asses the library staff performance. DATA ANALYSIS Personal Profile of the Respondents Table 1: Personal Profile of the Respondents Female Streams B.Com BAF BBI BMM BMS BSc CS BSc IT Grand 3(7.79) (1.3) (1.3) 1(2.9) 2(.19) 2(6.49) 9 (24.67) 18 year 1 1 3(9.9) 19 year 1 1 3(9.9) 2 year 1 1(3.89) 21 year (1.3) 24 year (1.3) Age Male 14(37.66) (1.3) 2(.19) 1(2.9) 8(2.77) 1(2.9) 2(. 19) 29(7.32) 17 year (1.3) 18 year 4 2 7(18.18) 19 year (29.87) 2 year 2 1 4(11.68) 21 year 2 1 4(1.39) 22 year 1(2.6) 23 year (1.3) 17(4.4) 1(2.9) 2(6.49) 2(.19) 1(2.97) 1(2.9) Age Grand 4(11.69) 38 (1) (Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage) Table 1 shows the category of the respondents combined with course-wise, age-wise and gender-wise. Out of total 38(1%) respondents, 9(24.67%) are female and 29(7.32%) are male. Male and female are equally responded from BAF (1.3%) & BMM 1(2.9%) courses. B.Com. Course respondents are highest 17(4.4%), BAF and BSc CS respondents are equal in number but very 24 International Journal of Information Dissemination and Technology July-September 213 Vol. 3 Issue 3

3 least 1(2.9%) among all respondents. Second highest respondents 1(2.97%) are BMS. Considering age-wise respondents, 19 year respondents are highest in both gender groups (male & female) among all respondents. Frequency of Library Visit Table 2: Frequency of Visit Frequency Daily Once in a Week Fortnightly Once in a Month Others Fig.1: Frequency of Computer Usage It shows in the table 2, that highest 13(33.77%) number of respondents are using the library daily, followed by 11(29.87%) use it once in a week and 8(2.78%) visit the library fortnightly, 4(11.69%) are visiting once in a month. Depending on the requirements 1(4%) respondents use the library at times or rarely. Table 4: Place of Access and Use Purpose of Visit to Library The question was asked about purpose of visit to library and the resources & facilities used by respondents. The multiple choice options were asked as the users visit the library for multiple purposes. Table 3: Purpose of Visit Purpose Books e-books/video CDs Reference Books NewsPapers / Periodicals Photocopy Internet Access Place of Access and use of Computer/Internet Place Home Cyber Café Library Computer Lab Respondents were asked to choose suitable answers all that apply to them (more choices). Table 4 explains that, more than half of the respondents 32 use computers and access internet in home. Then given library as a second 2 preferred place. Then followed by with very less respondents 3 & 2 preferred cyber café and college computer lab respectively. on Library (Resources, Services and Facilities) For any college library, along with the good resources, services and ICT facilities the basic seating arrangement and space is also very important. This is true in the responders' view that maximum 28 responders like seating & reading space. It is observed from the study that Table 3 reveals majority of the respondents visit library to borrow/refer books, i.e., 2, followed with a purpose to access internet 17, photocopy 1, purpose of visit to refer the newspapers is 13. For reference books 9, respondents visit the library. Small number 3 of respondents visit the library to use the e-books/video CDs. Use of Computer Facilities It is observed that, respondents frequently use computers for their study and learning. More than half a respondents 19(.66%) use daily, followed by 1(2.97%) at least once/twice a week, 7(18.18%) are fortnightly, 2(.19%) are once a month. The shown in fig 1 is rounded off. Fig.2: on Library Then, followed by 23(9.74%) like good stock of books of different kinds, 22(7.14%) like newspapers/magazines, 2(3.24%) like ICT infrastructure availability and very least respondents 7(19.48%) like online databases and internet availability. International Journal of Information Dissemination and Technology July-September 213 Vol. 3 Issue 3 2

4 Satisfaction Level about Library Staff FINDINGS Table : Satisfaction Level about Library Staff Satisfied Not Satisfied Neutral Table describes that majority of respondents 2(66.23%) have shown their satisfaction with the assistance being provided and the attitude of library staff in locating and in searching information from the books / information sources. Fewer respondents (12.98%) say they are not happy with the library staff. More than 1/th of total respondents i.e. 8(2.77%) were not sure about themselves that library staff helps or not. Based on the analysis of the survey the following findings can be arrived as: Among all respondents 19 year respondents are higher in both gender groups (male & female). Highest 13(33.77%) respondents use the library daily, followed by 11 (29.87%) use it once in a week. The majority of the respondents visit the library to borrow/refer books, i.e., 2(66.23%), followed with a purpose to access internet 17(4.4%), photocopy 1(38.96%). This indicates that, in this changing ICT environment students prefer still printed books as their first choice then followed by internet. Though they access internet in different places for their information, books are their first choice. More than half a respondents 19(.66%) use computers daily. Followed by more than 1/4th of the respondents 1(2.97%) use at least once/twice a week, It is good to see that the use of computers are more by students in their study. The majority of respondents 2(66.23%) has shown their satisfaction with the assistance being provided and the attitude of library staff in locating and searching information from the books / information sources. Highest 17 (4.4%) number of respondents, have opined that, the library management is better. Satisfaction Level about Library Table 6: Satisfaction Level about Library Highly Dissatisfied 1.3 Dissatisfied Satisfied Moderately Satisfied Highly Satisfied Grand 38 1 Table 6 shows, majority of respondents 17(44.16%) say they were moderately satisfied. Followed by 9(24.67%) satisfied, 8(22.7%) highly satisfied. Few respondents were 3(7.8%) dissatisfied and negligible amount of (1.3%) respondents were highly dissatisfied. This indicates that respondents are moderately satisfied. This shall be also proved through the mean value of respondents which equals to 4. i.e. Moderately satisfied. about Library Management Table 7 illustrates highest 17(4.4%) number of respondents, have opinion that, the library management is better. Followed by, 11(28.7%) respondents say good, 4(11.7%) say bad, 4(1.38%) say best. Few respondents 1(3.9%) say the library management is worst. Table 7: about Library Management 26 Worst Bad Good Better Best Grand 38 1 SUGGESTIONS Based on the findings, following suggestions are recommended to improve the services and collection in the library: Small number 3 of respondents visit the library to use the ebooks/video CDs. The library should encourage the students to use audio/video CDs and offer training in digitization of documents. The library should teach the students 'how to search information on internet' and also the different integrated features of the browsers. Library staff is very helpful in nature as responded by students. That should be continued with good enthusiastic. The library should encourage students to learn the latest information search skills, as well as promote the library services and resources more and more. The librarian should encourage students to learn the latest information-seeking tools and skills, as well as promote the library services and resources more and more. CONCLUSION In these days the college students are flooding towards library with assignments, dissertations. Information seeking and gathering is a challenging task for the students. Information needs and seeking behavior is likely to differ from one discipline to another. The present study shows the different views of students on library resources services and facilities used. The study revealed that, students used a variety of information sources and services. It is clear by the study that, in this age of electronic resources, most of the students (respondents) still using books as information source for their academic purpose. It proves us that International Journal of Information Dissemination and Technology July-September 213 Vol. 3 Issue 3

5 first year and final year students in University College Dublin. Library Review, 4(2), (Accessed on ), articleid=146349&show=abstract books are not losing their importance in the electronic/internet age. It is evident by the study that, majority of the users has shown their satisfaction towards helpfulness of library staff for the assistance being provided in searching information. Information resources and services needs to be increased. Internet facility and encouragement in use of electronic databases (free or paid) should be more facilitated. This will maximize user satisfaction level and ultimate goal of any library.. Kadli, J.H. & Kumbar, B.D. (211). Faculty informationseeking behaviour in the changing ICT environment: A study of Commerce Colleges in Mumbai. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1, Kerins, G.T., Madden, R. & Fulton, C. (24). Information seeking and students studying for professional careers: The cases of engineering and law students in Ireland. (Accessed on ), 7. Partap, B. (213). Information seeking behaviour of users of Lovely Professional University, Punjab (India): A study. ELibrary Science Research Journal, 1(8), (Accessed on ), /2226/1/61.pdf REFERENCES 1. Brown, C. (21). Communication in the sciences. Annual Review of Information Science and Technology, 44(1), Mackenzie, A. (212). Libraries: Championing Digital Information on Campus. (Accessed on ), 212/jan/18/information-literacy 3. Watson, D.M. (21). Pedagogy before technology: Rethinking the relationship between ICT and teaching. Education and Information Technologies, 6(4), Callinan, J.E. (2). Information seeking behaviour of undergraduate biology students: A comparative analysis of International Journal of Information Dissemination and Technology July-September 213 Vol. 3 Issue 3 27