Use of Library By the Students of Singhania University, Rajasthan

Education plays a vital role in the development of a country. It is one of the fundamental rights of every individual. It not only enhances knowledge but also develops overall personality of a person where library has become “a place entrusted with the acquisition, organization, preservation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information in whatever format it might appear” (Olanlokun & Salisu, 1993). The traditional library practices and modern technological advances must be developed and embraced if it is to be relevant in this information age. It is a very high price which must be paid otherwise the library will eventually become like the legendary character who slept for twenty years at Gasgill Mountain in Gulliver's Travels and eventually woke up to find the world completely changed. “All good methods of education postulate the existence of a well-stocked efficiently organized library” (Alie, 1989). Students cannot acquire knowledge only through textbooks or classroom lectures. They are referred to other books also. The library is of great help in the fulfillment of their wishes, ambitions and inclinations, as it provides ample opportunities for acquiring knowledge. On the other hand, it is much more convenient for the students to collect required material from the library. It not only saves their time but also cost of books and their energy. The basic purpose of this study was to investigate the level of the use of library by the students of Singhania University. Review of the Related Literature University libraries derive their mission from that of the parentorganization, the university. Thus historical development of theuniversity libraries has been influenced by the contexts in whichthe parent organizations operate. The vision, mission andstrategies which are selected by universities as a guide formeeting the core functions of teaching, learning, research andproviding community service form the foundation on whichthe role of the university library is based. Perceptionsheld by the university’s stakeholders on the role of the library asa contributor to these core functions, influence the environmentwithin which the university library crafts its own missionand role. The commonly accepted perception is that “universityeducation process values self-motivated discovery on the part ofstudents and faculty and assumes that libraries and librariansplay an important and sometimes essential role in education”(Wolpert, 1998). The early years of university library development focused on theestablishment of the academic library that aspires to competefavorable with those of the western world, in keeping with theaspirations of the parent organization of providing gooduniversity education within the continent. The components ofthe academic library consist of:  Input: staffing, budgeting, collections and

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accommodation.

• Processes: collection development, organization and management.

• Outputs: reference services, usage of finding tools, catalogs, collections and document delivery services.

• Continuous training of users and service providers through direct contact.

• Ongoing feedback from stakeholders: students, staff and the public (Field, 1998). The role of university library in teaching, learning and education is influenced by the university’s culture, value and stakeholders’ perceptions of the library as an essential pedagogic tool in support of the university enterprise. In turn, this determines the types of library services developed in support of the teaching and educational process. Currently, however, there is general absence of teaching methods which encourage and reward independent learning based on students’ critical analysis and incorporation of various sources of information to classroom notes and prescribed texts. General reliance by students on lecturers’ teaching notes, caused by various problems linked to poor libraries and lack of access to textbooks, has tended to be the norm and sometimes these are used by generations of students without consideration of the currency of content. The acceptance and “normalization” of this style of teaching by universities results in the subliminal devaluing of the commonly accepted university culture which demands independent research, critical analysis and use of current information as part of learning (Horava, 2005). The McFarlane Report considers teaching functions as consisting of orienting, motivating, presenting, clarifying, elaborating and confirming. All these styles used for instructional services by faculty influence the role which library has to play in providing support to students’ learning. However, without library and information professional’s appreciation of the complexity of interaction involved in these methods, the role of the academic library as academic support will be superficial at best (Joint Information Systems Committee, 1995). The knowledge gained through the class lectures of teachers may be easily forgotten after sometime but that which the student acquires himself through self-study will be remembered by him even after leaving the class-room. Students have different tastes at different stages of life and when they are able to read they like to read books according to their need and taste (Chuabe & Chuabe, 2008). The utility of a library depends upon its proper organization which includes the distribution of books, their arrangement, the situation of the library, etc. At present a library is not properly utilized in most of the institutions. The library exists only in name and the students cannot easily get books from there. Books for these libraries are purchased without any reference

to the interests or abilities and standards of students (Alie,1989). The principal does not know what type of books is therein library. Besides, in most of institutions the staff does notpay any attention towards the proper management of the libraryand tries limiting the number of books taken by the students asfar as possible. Such a library is quiet useless. No taste for selfstudy can be developed in the students through such a library.Hence it is necessary to introduce reforms in libraries toattract students (Allen, 1993). The books in a library should be properly arranged andclassified as they have as great an importance as the libraryitself. The importance does not consist in storing a large numberof books as in having suitable books in a proper order. In thisconnection, attention should be directed towards the utility ofthe books. These books should be capacity and ability of thestudents so that they may read and understand themselves.When the student is able to understand a book himself he feelsencouraged to read other books as well (Shahid, 2000). Statement of the Problem The present study aimed at investigating current trend of use oflibrary by the students of Foundation University College ofLiberal Arts and Sciences and to give recommendations forthe effective use of library. Objectives of the Research Study Following were the main objectives of the study:

• To investigate the present use of library by thestudents of Singhania University.

• To analyze the organizational set up of library for thepurpose of effective learning.

• To identify the problems faced by the students in theuse of library.

 To give recommendations for the effective use oflibrary. Significance of the Study The role of library is very important for the healthy educationalenvironment to enhance the students’ learning. Therefore, thefindings of the study may be useful: 1. To the students, to enlarge and consolidate theirknowledge acquired in the classroom. 2. To the librarians, to select and organize librarymaterial according to the age, ability and interests of thestudents. Delimitations of the Study

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This study was limited only to the students of master programs of SU Research Methodology All the master level students of SU were the population of the study. One hundred and eighty students of various programs were selected randomly as a sample of the study. A self developed questionnaire consisted of 10 items, keeping in view the objectives of the study, was used as instrument for the collection of data. Item wise analysis of the data was made in order to arrive at findings of the study. Presentation and Analysis of Data The students from six master programs participated in the study. Table 1 reveals that the highest number (44%) of respondents was from the Master of Applied Psychology whereas only 15 percent respondents were from the Master of Economics.

Data shown in Table 2 reveal that: 1. Only 48 percent of the respondents were in the favor that library rules were been displayed in the library. It is clear that the library staff did not give importance to this point. Hence, there is a need to display rules in library for the guidance of the students’ and to maintain discipline. 2. Only 8 percent of the respondents were agreed that there wasany catalog available in the library whereas 92 percentrespondents were worried about it, because they have to face alot of problems in its absence. Hence, it is very essential for thestaff to make and provide proper catalog to the students for theirhelp so that they may not waste their time. 3. Sixty four percent of the respondents were in the favor thatthe books and other materials were subject wise arranged in thelibrary whereas 36 percent of the respondents were not satisfiedabout it. Hence, it is the foremost necessity of the library toorganize books subject wise and according to the need ofstudents. 4. Only 24 percent of the respondents agreed that there werelatest and relevant books in the library whereas 76 percent of therespondents were found complaining about it. Hence, it is very necessary that library should have latest and relevant books and other material so that students may get latest and effectivelearning. 5. Only 28 percent respondents were in favor that the librariansselect books according to the age, abilities and interests of the students whereas 72 percent of the respondents were found completely against it, rather worried about it. Hence, it is theresponsibility of the principal and the library staff to keep inmind these factors while selecting books. 6. Only 47 percent of the respondents were in favor that thereis sufficient space in the library according to the need ofthe students whereas 53 of the respondents were not agreed withit. Hence, it is very essential that there should be sufficient spaceso that students may utilize it with full satisfaction. 7. Fifty six percent of the respondents agreed that the librariansissue books easily whereas the remaining 44 percent of therespondents did not agree with it. It is obvious that the studentsare at the mercy of the library staff because they do not takebooks to their homes without their permission. Therefore, it isnecessary for the librarians to issue books to the studentsaccording to their feasibility. 8. Only 46 percent of the respondents were in favor thatthe librarians help the students in searching their requiredbooks whereas 54 percent of the respondents were much worriedabout it. Hence, it is very essential for the librarians to help thestudents so that the students may not waste their time insearching their relevant material. 9. Only 19 percent of the respondents agreed that there isthe facility of computer / internet in the library. The remaining81 of the students were found complaining that, no doubt, thelibrary has the facility of computer/ internet but it is only forlibrary staff because they do not allow students to use it. Hence,it is the need of the time to provide modern technology andlatest information to the students so that they may compete atevery level. 10. Only 43 percent of the respondents agreed that librarywas providing a learning environment to the students while57 percent were found against it. In their opinion, it was themain reason which kept them away from the library. Hence, it is

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very essential for the principal and the librarians to create a proper learning environment so that the students may fully utilize it. Findings of the Study Following are the main findings of the study: 1. Fifty two percent of the students said that the library of the SU has not displayed any rules in it. 2. Ninety two percent of the students indicated that the library has not any catalog for the help of the students. 3. Thirty six percent of the students complained that the books and other library material were not subject wise arranged. 4. Seventy six percent of the students were of the opinion that the library does not have latest and relevant books. Conclusion The work of an institution is to give knowledge of necessary things and to bring about such an all-around development of the student that he is able to lead a successful life in his future. No doubt, the library of SU is trying to play an important role in students’ learning but still, it is unable to provide full facilities and a better learning environment. Consequently the students hesitate to visit library to read books and enhance their knowledge regularly. Most of the students only join it to prepare their assignments or to pass their free time. The remaining students avoid joining it because of the problems they face. On the other hand, the library staff also does not pay full attention to its duties in selecting, organizing and issuing books that badly affect students’ learning. It is indubitable that the role of the library as information intermediary would never change. However, the means to fulfill this invaluable role keeps changing and the library must adapt to maintain its relevance. Traditional library practices must be fully developed and the best of modern technology must be embraced. Recommendations Following are the major recommendations of the study:

• To create discipline in the library, proper rules should be displayed at suitable place and the librarians should explain these rules to the students in the beginning of each semester.

• An effective catalog should be maintained for the help of the students and to save their time.

• Books should be subject wise arranged according to the age, ability and interests of the students.

• The principal and the librarians should consult with teachers and students while selecting books.

• Number of latest books, other material and research

journals should be increased in the library.

• In order to create effective and conducive learningenvironment in the library, it is proposed to equip itwith latest and relevant books as well as computer andinternet so that students may get latest information toenhance their learning.

References

• Alie, S. N. (1989). Acquisition of scientific literature indeveloping countries: Arab Gulf countries. InformationDevelopment, 5(2),108-114.

• Allen, C. G. (1993). Resources, acquisitions and theviability in libraries in developing countries. Libri,43(3), 234-244.

• Chaube, S. P., & Chaube, A. (2008). Schoolorganization. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House.

• Field, M. (1998). Special libraries. The LibraryAssociation Record,100(2), 71.

• Horava, T. (2005). Access policies and licensing issuesin research libraries. Collection Building, 24(1), 9-11.

 Joint Information Systems Committee (Great Britain).(1995). Exploiting information systems in highereducation: An issues paper. Bristol: JISC.