Page 41 - DLIS102_LIBRARY_AND_ITS_USERS

Library and its Users

Notes

From the very inception, library was getting due importance so that “Accession” to
the library was included as a distinct item in the first Record of Geological Survey of
India (1868) and was continued every year. The collection was developing so rapidly
that Mr. Bion, the Librarian had to compile in 1888 a complete catalogue of the library
holding of Geological Survey of India.

Self Assessment
Fill in the blanks:
1. 22nd International Geological Congress, was held in Delhi in the year ...... .

2. International Division organized the Fourth South Asia Geological Congress (GEOSAS-IV)
at New Delhi in November ...... .

6.1 Library Surveys—Purpose and Uses

The academic library is the nerve centre or the hub around which scholarship revolves. It is an
indispensable instrument for intellectual development. A well stocked academic library is a storehouse
of information, or a record of human experience to which users may turn to for data or information.
Jubb and Green (2007) observe that academic libraries have for centuries played critically important
roles in supporting research in all subjects and disciplines within their host universities or colleges.
Opara (2001) posits that the library stands in the same relationship to the society as the memory of an
individual by making available and accessible to its users information required for teaching and
independent study. The main purpose of an academic library as stated by Aina (2004) is to support
the objectives of an academic environment in the areas of learning, teaching, research, and service.
Oyesiku and Oduwole (2004) assert that in academic communities, libraries are indispensable. Guskin
(1996) notes that the use of university libraries promotes active learning, thus contributing to students
ability to think critically and work well independently or in group. An academic environment without
a library is tantamount to a person without a brain. It would be pertinent to discover whether
academic libraries are indeed living up to their objectives. The effectiveness and efficiency of services
provided in academic libraries are mainly determined by library users. Behling and Cudd (1967)
assert that the library user is regarded as the most logical source to determine whether the library is
playing its role satisfactorily or not.
Perera (2005) submits that satisfying user needs is essential to the management of libraries. The
management staff of a library should be aware of the current needs of their users, which may vary
from one library to another as well as from time to time. Therefore, carrying out regular surveys on
user needs at regular intervals on various aspects of library usage will be an invaluable guide in
determining the future directions of library developments. Popoola (2001) observes that information
availability does not mean accessibility and use and that academic libraries should stimulate primary
demand for their products and services. This view is upheld by Mason (2010), who opines that
librarians must be sympathetic and helpful to all students on the one hand and that on the other
hand, students must be aware that librarians and faculty members are there to instruct and encourage
their intellectual odyssey and should be seen as facilitators.
Several authors have written on the use of academic library. Amkpa (2000) in his study of the use of
the University of Maiduguri Library discovered that a majority of students did not use the library
effectively because they did not use the library catalogues. In a study on students and faculty use of

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