Annals of Library Science and Documentation 1988,35(4), 171-177

ATTITUDES OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS TOWARDSTHE RESOURCES AND SERVICES OF THREEUNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN R..<\]ASTHAN(INDIA) -- A STUDY

TIle study conducted with a sample of 109research scholars of three universities of Rajas-than using questionnaire method, is an attemptto identify the impression of scholars towardsthe adequacy of library resources, their use ofthe library, and their views on Library services.The findings of the study are: that attitudesreveal scholars spent more than 5 hours per dayin a libary; majority of the users visit the library1 to 4 times a week, there is significant differ-ence in the attitude of scholars towards the useof periodicals in different universities; scholarsview library resources and services as beinginadequate compared to their needs; level ofawareness towards: the existing facilities arelow; scholars at all three universities are notadequately involved in utilizing and improvingthe resources and services of the libraries.

INTRODUCTION•

Ocr educational policy document [1] empha-sises that research in the universities will beprovided enhanced support and steps will betaken to ensure its high quality. An effort willbe made to encourage the settiftg up of nationalresearch facilities within the university system,with proper forms of autonomous management.

No university can claim to promote researchwithout the provision of adequate and well-balanced collection of books and periodicalsrelated to the research needs of the universityboth immediate and potential and withoutrendering a prompt and effective service to itsresearch scholars. Hence, there is need to studythe attitudes of scholars towards library re-sources and services because user's attitudesare essential considerations in the design oflibrary service.

OBJECTIVES

This study was undertaken to find out theirn pression of the research scholars of three

Vol 35 No 4 December 1988

P S KAWATRADeputy LibrarianNCERT, New Delhi-ll 0016

university libraries of Rajasthan as to the ade-quacy of resources, quality of library collec-tions, and library services.

BACKGROUND OF THE UNIVERSITY LIB-RARIES

Since this study deals with the research scholars'reactions towards library resources and ser-vices of the three university libraries (Univer-sity of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Sukhadia University,Udaipur, and University of Jodhpur, Jodhpur)some background information on these univer-sity libraries will not be out of place here.

RAJASTHAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, JAI-PUR

The University library system consists of acentral library, 4 constituent college libraries,the Libraries of the Podar Institute of Manage-ment, Institute of Corespondence Studies,South Asia Study Centre, and Gandhi Bhawanand departmental libraries of botany, zoology,geology, chemistry and law. The total collectionof the University. Central Library comprisingbooks and bound volumes of periodicals exceeds3.5 lakhs [2], About 1,700 journals are beingcurrently subscribed to and about 300 journalsare received on gratis. This apart, the CentralLibrary possesses a unique collection of micro-fiche of important and valuable rare documentsand reports of national organizations, govt.departments etc., valuable collection of histori-cal documents popularly known as 'ABU Collec-tion' and other important documents.

In the year 1985-86 annual budget for booksand periodicals subscription was Rs.12,59,5000;and the total enrolment was 4,584, including660 research scholars.

I :-I

SUKHADJA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, UDAI-PUR

The university library system consists of theCentral Library at the apex and college campus/departmental libraries are the other consti-tuents [31. There are 18 libraries at the differentcam puses of the university. Ou t of which fivelibraries are at Udaipur campus in the Educa-tion Wing and the t;emaining libraries includingthe Central Library at Udaipur and other cam-puses in the Agricultural Wing at Udaipur,J obner and Bikaner campuses. The CentralLibrary caters to the needs of both the Agri-cultural and Educational wings.

The Central Library is under the charge ofa Deputy Librarian and the college campuslibraries are under the direct control of con-cerned Deans/Directors.

The 1984-85 annual budget for the librariesin the Agricultural Wing (out of the ICARgrants) for books/periodicals was Rs.4,79,362.44,while for the Educational V/ing (out of UG~grant) it was Rs.1,89,902.95. The amount uti-lised from. state grants for the purchase of cur-rent journals, reports etc. was Rs.1,97,249.37(Non-Plan) and Rs.2,95,426.27 (Plan). Thecollection in different libraries of the systemtotallc d 3,62,085 on 30/6/85 while the CentralLibrar collection was 88,657. The total numberof peric.dicals subscribed were 283. The totalenroln. It for the Central Library was 549,which included 54 research scholars.'

KAWATRA

JODHPUR UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, JODH-PURThe Jodhpur University Library System com-prises the Central Library (at S.M.K. Campus),faculty libraries of law, commerce, science andengineering, and other libraries at Kamla NehruCollege for Women and the Institute of EveningStudies.

The library for the postgraduate studentsof the departments of geography, economics,political science and sociology of the facultyof arts, education and social sciences has beenshifted in the new library building at the Bhagat-Ki-Kothi (New University Campus).

Some important statistical figures relating tothe library system for the year 1984-85 are :budget Rs.10,95,000/- (Rs.3,00,000 forperiodicals); collection 1,90,372; periodicalssubscribed 725; enrolment 2,318 (researchscholars-23 ).

THE SURVEY-SAMPLE AND RESPONSES

This survey was conducted taking the researchscholars of three universities as base. The samplewas drawn on the basis of random sampling.The details are given in Tables 1 and 2.

From Table 2, it can be seen that the rate ofresponse received from Sukhadia & Jodhpuruniversities was relatively low. This was pro-bably due to the fact that the carhpus in theseuniversities is scattered and research scholarswere also not easily approachable.

Sex-wise distribu tion of scholars

Table 1

University Male

Rajasthan

Sukhadia

Jodhpur

33

12

13

Total 58(53.21%)

1-·),-

Female Total

34

9

8

67

21

21

51(46.79%)

109(100%)

Ann Lib Sci Doell

INFORMATION NEEDS OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS

Subject-wise distribution of the scholars

Table 2

Faculties RajasthanUniversity

SukhadiaUniversity

TotalJodhpurUniversity

Arts, Humanities,and Social Sciences 23 9

Sciences 37 3

Commerce 7 5

Agriculture 4

Total 67

METHOOOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION

The methodology adopted for this study wasDescriptive Survey Method. This consisted ofquestionnair~ and interviews.

DATA COLLECTION

The sources of data for this study included thefollowing:

1. Questionnaire to scholars,2. Interviews with librarians and departmental

heads; and3. Library related documents and annual

reports.

BACKGROUND OF THE SAMPLE

of the total respondents, 26.60% stayed inhostels attached to the universities, while73.39% were residing with parents. 94.49% ofrespondents could read and write Hindi, while99.08% could read and write English also.33.94% of the respondents knew som~ otherIndian as well as foreign languages. 63~?0% ofthe total respondents have used libraries beforecoming to the university.

33.02% of respondents have been using thelibrary for the last 2-3 years. In the sample,there were three users who did not enrol them-selves as the members of the university library.30.27% of the scholars spent more than 5

Vol 35 No 4 December 1988

4

17

36

57

12

4

21 21 109

hours per day in library which is quite consider-able.

DISCUSSION AND INTERPRETATION

From the table it appears that in the case ofRajasthan University, almost equal number ofscholars used the main as well as department/faculty /College libraries. In the case of SukhadiaUniversity most of the scholars used the mainlibrary whereas in the case of Jodhpur Univer-sity. The trend is just the reverse.

In Sukhadia University, daily users are muchmore than any other university in the state.Majority of scholars (38.53%) have visted thelibrary 1 to 4 times a week.

In all the universities, the library is usedmainly by the scholars varying from 83.58%to 95.23% for obtaining information related totheir studies. However, in Jodhpur University(52.38%) and Rajasthan University (44.77%)quite a good number of scholars have usedlibrary for general information also.

Jodhpur University scholars seem to be usinglibrary for more varied purposes than otheruniversities in the state for e.g. app,roximately62% of its scholars use the library for currentinformation and increasing their knowledge.Leisure reading is the least in all the univer-sities (21%, 33% and 15% respectively).

Major Problem in the Use of Library

The Central Libraries located at the maincampuses in Jodhpur and Udaipur are not easily

173

KAWATRA

Table 3

Type of Library used most frequently

Using MainLibrary (I)

Using Deptt.!College/FacultyLibrary (II)

(%)(%)

1. Rajasthan University 53.73

2. Sukhadia University 85.71

3. Jodhpur University 28.57

55.22

38.09

76.19

Table 4

Frequency of visits

Using both(I) & (II)

(%)

8.95

23.80

4.76

Frequency RajasthanUniversity

JodhpurUniversity

-----------------------------------------------------~----SukhadiaUniversity

(%) (%) (%)

% of the Total(Three Universitytogether)

(%)

Daily 29.85 42.85 23.80 31.19

14 times a week 40.29 28.57 42.85 38.53

1-4 times a month 13.43 14.28 14.28 13.76

Rarely 10.44 4.76 14.28 10.09

Never 4.47 4.76 4.76 4.58

No answers 1.52 4.78 0.03 1.85

Table 5

Pattern and purpose of use of library

Purpose RajasthanUniversity

(%)

SukhadiaUniversity

(%)

JodhpurUniversity

(%)

1. Information relating to studies 83.58 95.23 95.23

2. General Information 44.77 33.33 52.38

3. Leisure reading 20.89 33.33 14.28

4. Current Information 41.79 42.85 61.90

5. Knowledge increasing 47.76 61.90 61.90----------------------------------------------------------

174 Ann Lib Sci Docu

INFORMATION NEEDS OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS

accessible to the users as some means of trans-portation is essential for users wishing to utilizethe resources of the Central Libraries. Thisfact probably hinders the use of the library.

LIBRARY RESOURCES

From Table 6, it could be stated that scholarsuse mostly books (96.33%) followed by periodi-cals (68.80%), research reports (61.46%), anddoctoral theses (50.45%).

There is significant difference in respect ofthe scholars impression about the use of periodi-cals in different universities. A chi-square valueof 11.76 with 2 degrees of freedom was foundsignificant at .01 level (table value 9.210).

As far as the adequacy of resources is con-cerned the impression of the scholars of Rajas-than and Sukhadia Universities seem to besimilar. A chi-square' value of 1.09 with 4degrees of feedom was found to be non-signi-ficant at .05 level (table value 9.488).

However, the impression of scholars ofJodhpur University seems to be somewhatdifferent in this regard. Although, the numberof scholars considering library resources ade-quate is quite low (9.52%) the majority ofs~holars do not feel resources to be inadequatesimply they feel that the resources need im-provement.

At Jodhpur, books on economics for thepostgraduate studies have been shifted to thenew campus, while the Faculty of Commerce isstill at the old campus. These two subjects areinterdisciplinary in approach and such place-ment puts the scholars to great inconvenience.

Impression of Users about Library Resources

During the course of discussion with the scholarsit was found that all the libraries were facingsome problems because of delinquent users.These are the users who retain bookjs) after thedue date,steal, mutilate, borrow illegally orotherwise damage the books. 34.86% of therespondents stressed the need to prevent suchpractices. It is hard to say whether this problemis serious or not without any statistical evidence.However, a psychological study of the userswho mu tilate/ disfigure the reading material indifferen t libraries cou Id suggest con crete reme-dies to this problem.

Vol ;:):)No 4 Decembo r 1988

SERVICES

It was observed from the replies that the levelof awareness of scholars about various servicesoffered by these universities was low. Forexample, 77.98% of the respondents were notaware that they could meet their demandsalso through inter-library loan system, neitherthey were aware of the number of books theycan borrow.

Opinion about the Adequacy of Services

From the analysis in Table 8, it is seen thatthere is no significant difference of opinionamong scholars about the adequacy of libraryservices. A chi-square value of 0.94 with 4degrees of freedom was found to be non-signi-ficant at .05 level (Table value 9.488).

ATTITUDE TOWARDS 'USER EDUCATION'

80.73% of the respondents stated that thelibrary does not provide any instruction inlibrary use. It was also found that they werecompletely unaware of the existence and use-fulness of certain bibliographical tools andmethods to conduct a literature search onscientific lines.

Some of the views expressed by respondentsas to the need of user education are as follows.

1. 70% respondents felt that the awarenessof the existing library resources and ser-vices was essential for their research.

2. 55% scholars opined that knowledge oflibrary was important for the optimal useof library resources.

3. 56% research scholars admitted that theylacked necessary skills for the use of alibrary.

4. 62% respondents felt the need for usereducati~n and desired that the libraryshould Impart training in research methodo-logy.

LIBRARY STAFF

The survey relating to library staff revealedthe follo~ing : 96.33% of the respondents didask the library staff for assistance when they

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KAWATRA

Table 6

Use of Library Materials

----------------------------------------------------------Types of Materials Rajasthan

UniversitySukhadiaUniversity

JodhpurUniversity

(%) (%) (%)

% of the Total(Three Universitytogether

(%)----------------------------------------------------------Books 100.00 90.47

Periodicals 58.20 85.71

Research Reports 59.70 76.19

Doctoral Theses 44.77 57.14

90.47 96.33

85.71 68.80

52.38 61.46

61.90 50.45----------~-----------------------------------------------

Table 7

Adequacy of Resources

University Adequate(%)

Needs Improvement(%)

Inadequate(%)

Rajasthan

Sukhadia

Jodhpur

13.43

14.28

9.52

70.14

61.90

76.19

11.94

19.04

14.28

Table 8

Adequacy of Services

University Adequate(%)

Satisfactory(%)

Inadequate(%)

Rajasthan

Sukhadia

Jodhpur

10.44

14.28

9.52

65.67

52.38

52.38

17.91

23.80

14.28

] 76 Ann Lib Sci Docu

INFORMATION NEEDS OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS

could not fmd the needed material. 46.78%of the respondents felt that the staff were help-ful and 30.27% stated that the library staffassisted in their queries. However, 34.86%of the respondents emphasised the need for thelibrary staff to be more soft-spoken and courte-ous. 9.17% felt that the assistance of librarystaff in the search of specialized research ma-terials was low. 38.53% scholars came to knowabout their research literature through theirguides, and 33.02% through bibliographicaltools.

CRITICISMS AND SUGGESTIONS

72.4 7% of the respondents had no criticalcomments to offer and 38.53% had no sugges-tions to make.

Majority of the complains were regarding 2.indiscipline in the reading rooms, inadequatephysical facilities, inadequate borrowing faci-lities, shortage of books (both of additionalcopies and of titles) and indifferent attitude 3.of the library staff. Suggestions were for theimprovement of these.

Vol 35 No 4 December 1988

Some of the respondents have suggestedimproved security measures and administrativepolicies to reduce the problems of mutilation.To reduce mutilation, the need for low cost.self-servicing duplicating machines in the libra-ries have been stressed.

One of the imp ortant expectations of thescholars were that the library should provideinformation on major research projects carriedo.ut at the various Indian universities.

REFERENCES

1. National Policy on Education 1986 : Govt. ofIndia, Ministry of Human Resources Develop-ment, p. 15.

Sharma C D Rajasthan University Library.XXX All India Library Conference Souvenir,p.32.

Annual Report for the Library System for theyear 1984-85. Sukhadia University Library,Udaipur.