ADEQUACY OF READING RESOURCES AND THE
SATISFACTION OF THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF THE
FACULTY MEMBERS : A CASE STUDY OF THE
DHAKA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
 

MD. HANIF UDDIN
Assistant Professor ,
Dept. of Information Science and Library Management,
 University of Dhaka
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

S. M. ZABED AHMED
Assistant Professor ,
Dept. of Information Science and Library Management,
 University of Dhaka
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

MD. NASIR UDDIN MUNSHI
Assistant Professor ,
Dept. of Information Science and Library Management,
 University of Dhaka
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Introduction

A good library well-equipped with books and periodicals in all subjects is essential for advanced study and research. The role of a university library in regard to these functions are unique. It collects, organises and disseminates information to the faculty members, research scholars and students and support the generation of new knowledge. The up-to-dateness of contents in courses, the continuous academic growth and competence of faculty members and the quality of learning environment depend on how effective the academic library is in identifying and connecting information on current developments in various subject fields with the concerned academic community.

However, in order to satisfy the diverse information needs and interests of the academic community, the library collection must be adequate in terms of quantity, quality and currency. The collection must also be accessible to the community. The provision of quality information will invariably have positive impact on the learning environment. On the contrary, if the quality of information provided leaves much to be desired, the result would be worse.

The Dhaka University Library (DUL) is an academic library established in 1920s. In the course of last 70 years, various donations and special collections have enriched the collection of the library in many specialized and rare fields. Today, the library holds one of the largest collections of books, journals, newspapers, thesis, manuscripts, etc., in the region.                      

Modernisation of the DUL started sometimes in the 1950s, and since then except the introduction of professionally approved new rules in cataloguing, classification and subject heading, not much radical changes have taken place. Dhaka University Library has now two separated wings: Science Section and the Main Library. The Main Library is mostly used by the faculty members and the students of the Arts and Social sciences.

The present DUL, particularly the Main Library faces criticisms from various sectors, particularly from the faculty members of the Arts and Social sciences of the university. Many of these criticisms are labelled against inadequacy of reading resources, poor quality services, unavailability or inaccessibility of library materials, improper physical facilities, etc.

 1. Objectives of the study

 The main objectives of the study were to look at:
 i)   the adequacy of library collections available to the faculty members;

 ii)  the extent of library use and the information needs of the faculty members:

iii) the satisfaction with the library services provided:

iv) the major problems in using the library: and

v)  the measures needed for improvement of existing library facilities.

 2. Methodology

The study was confined to the critical analysis of the adequacy of reading materials and the satisfaction of the information needs of the faculty members of the Arts and Social sciences of the Dhaka University. The questionnaire method was employed for the collection of data. A total of one hundred questionnaire (Appendix) were distributed of which 84 were returned by the faculty members. This represents an 84% response rate. Finally, the views of the librarians are also considered to produce a total picture on which actions could be taken.

3. Result of the study

3.1 Sample characteristics

Of the total sample of 84 (male 76.8% and female 23.2%), 63% belonged to the faculty of Arts and the remaining 37% to the faculty of Social Sciences.

3.2 Adequacy of collection

Three-fourth of the total respondents , i.e. 63 (75%) considered that the Main library resources were not adequate (Table 1). On the oilier hand, only 21 (25%) respondents indicated the library resources as adequate.

Table 1: Opinion of Respondents on Adequacy of the Library Resources
Opinion      Number of Respondents             % of Respondents

   Yes                 21                                                25
   No                  63                                                75

3.3 Use of the Main library by the faculty members

The responses given for frequency of use of the Main library by the faculty members of the Arts and Social sciences are listed in Table 2.

Table 2: Distribution of Respondents by the Frequency of Using the Main Library

Frequency of Use    Number of Respondents      % of Respondents

Everyday                          12                                        14.28
Once a week                     20                                        23.80
Twice a week                   26                                         30.95
Once a month                   24                                         28.57
Others                               2                                          2.38

For respondents who had checked "others", the frequency of use was given as "not much" and "whenever necessary".

3.4 Satisfaction of information needs

In response to a question about the satisfaction of the faculty members on the use of different types of services provided by the Main library 60 (71.42%) respondents indicated that they were not satisfied, while only 24 (28.57%) of the respondents indicated that they are satisfied with the existing services (Table 3).

Table 3: Opinion of Respondents about their Satisfaction on the Existing Library Services

          Opinion     Number of Respondents    % of Respondents

            Yes                   24                              28.57
            No                    60                              71.42

3.5 Problems faced by the faculty members in using the Main Library The figures in Table 4 shows that 65 (77.38%) respondents were of the view that the inadequacy of recent publications and current journals becomes the major problem in using the Library. Incompetent and unqualified staff was the next major problem of 58 (69.04%) respondents in using the Library. On the other hand, 47 (55.95%) respondents indicated insufficiency in space, material and equipment was a major problem. Other major problems indicated were old,
damaged and mutilated books 42 (50%) and difficulties in locating the .needed materials 36 (42.85%).

Table 4: Distribution of Views of the Respondents on the Major Problems in Using the Library  
 

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