Annals of Library and Information Studies

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Users’ Perceptions about e-Resources and Information Services in a Public Library : A Study of Kerala State Central Library


Affiliations
1 Department of Library & Information Science, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur - 610 005, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Department of Library & Information Science, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur – 610 005, Tamil Nadu, India
 

A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain user feedback on various aspects of resources and information services provided by the Kerala State Central Library (KSCL), Thiruvananthapuram. The findings revealed that 43.2% of the respondents were aware of the reading circle and book display services available in the library. The study also found that only a few users (9.1%) are highly-satisfied with the e-resources provided by the library. The users are aware about the quiz programs (40.9%) conducted by the library. The study found that the primary barriers for library users are the lack of computers and internet services. About 34.1% of the respondents adhered to the hygiene guidelines provided by the library during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests that the library should conduct conferences, workshops, and training programs for its users to enable them to use e-resources and ICT services effectively and efficiently.

Keywords

Public Library, User Perception, Information Services, E-Resources, State Central Library, Kerala.
User
Notifications
Font Size

  • Devi T S and Devi K S, Management of e-resources in the modern library information system: an outlook, In Proceedings of the paper presented at the PLANNER, Assam University, Silchar, 10 November 2005, p. 360-365. https://ir.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/1944/1409.

  • Kerala State Central Library, Available at https://statelibrary.kerala.gov.in/ (Accessed on 05 June 2022).

  • Varghese J U and Thirunavukkarasu A, Public library as a catalyst for sustainable development: a case study. Annals of Library and Information Studies, 68 (2) (2021) 145-151. http://op.niscair.res.in/index.php/ALIS/article/view/41147.

  • Prabhakaran P M and Periyasamy S, Historical development of public libraries in Kerala State, Journal of Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education, 16(6) (2019) 2431–2435. http://ignited.in/p/282954.

  • Ajithakumari V P and Francis A T, Services for Community development: a study in the context of Kerala State Central Library. Journal of Advances in Library and Information Science, 4(4) (2015) 341-347. http://jalis.in/pdf/4-4/Ajithaa.pdf.

  • Vilgi K S and George J, The present scenario of the public libraries in the Thrissur district of Kerala. International Journal of Library & Information Science, 5(3) (2017) 88-94. https://iaeme.com/MasterAdmin/Journal_uploads/IJLIS/VOLUME_6_ISSUE_1/IJLIS_06_01_011.pdf.

  • Abumandour E S T, Public libraries' role in supporting e-learning and spreading lifelong education: a case study, Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, 14 (2) (2021) 178–217. https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIT-06-2019-0063.

  • Thanuskodi S, Assessing the efficacy of library services of district central libraries in Tamil Nadu from users perception, DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology, 32(6) (2012) 485-492. https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.32.6.2845

  • Arindam S, Public libraries and community information services: an experience in blocks of Sundarban Region, South 24 Parganas, SRELS Journal of Information Management, 56 (1) (2019) 32-35.

  • Nzivo C, User perception on library services and information resources in Kenyan public libraries, Library Review, 61(2) (2012) 110-127.

  • Jeevan V K J and Saji S Nair, Information technology adoption in libraries of Kerala: a survey of selected libraries in Thiruvananthapuram, Annals of Library and Information Studies, 51(4) (2004)137-144.http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/bitstream/123456789/7509/1/ALIS%2051%284%29%20137-144.pdf


Abstract Views: 72

PDF Views: 61




  • Users’ Perceptions about e-Resources and Information Services in a Public Library : A Study of Kerala State Central Library

Abstract Views: 72  |  PDF Views: 61

Authors

P. Suman Barath
Department of Library & Information Science, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur - 610 005, Tamil Nadu, India
K. G. Sudhier
Department of Library & Information Science, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur – 610 005, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract


A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain user feedback on various aspects of resources and information services provided by the Kerala State Central Library (KSCL), Thiruvananthapuram. The findings revealed that 43.2% of the respondents were aware of the reading circle and book display services available in the library. The study also found that only a few users (9.1%) are highly-satisfied with the e-resources provided by the library. The users are aware about the quiz programs (40.9%) conducted by the library. The study found that the primary barriers for library users are the lack of computers and internet services. About 34.1% of the respondents adhered to the hygiene guidelines provided by the library during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests that the library should conduct conferences, workshops, and training programs for its users to enable them to use e-resources and ICT services effectively and efficiently.

Keywords


Public Library, User Perception, Information Services, E-Resources, State Central Library, Kerala.

References