ERIC Number: EJ1317783
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Oct
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1531-2542
EISSN: N/A
Effects of Students' Demographic and Academic Characteristics on Library Use: A Perspective from Pakistan
Arshad, Alia; Mansoor, Faiqa; Mahmood, Khalid
portal: Libraries and the Academy, v21 n4 p665-684 Oct 2021
This study investigated students' use of the central library of the University of the Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan, including the effect of various demographic and academic characteristics on the utilization of library services. The study also examined library users' methods of finding information sources and their perceived importance of the academic library as a place. A validated, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 400 library users in eight different library locations. Of 400 questionnaires, 317 responses were submitted, for a response rate of 79 percent. The findings indicated that students frequently visit the library for an academic reading environment and a quiet zone for individual study. Overall, many factors influence library use, including both demographic and academic characteristics. Respondents perceive the value of the library as a place for learning, deep thinking, and information-seeking, and they regard the library's collection as important. The university library could apply these insights to strengthen library services and provide more places for learning and study. This article's findings will also prove useful to other Pakistani regional academic libraries considering use patterns and future areas for service development.
Descriptors: Student Characteristics, Student Attitudes, Value Judgment, Graduate Students, Young Adults, Academic Libraries, Users (Information), Library Services, Library Role, Library Materials, Information Seeking, Study, Acoustics, Physical Environment, Library Facilities, Foreign Countries, Developing Nations
Johns Hopkins University Press. 2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Tel: 800-548-1784; Tel: 410-516-6987; Fax: 410-516-6968; e-mail: jlorder@jhupress.jhu.edu; Web site: http://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/subscribe.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pakistan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A