International Journal of Library and Information Science Vol. 1(1) pp.

001-005 June, 2009

Available online http://www.academicjournals.org/ijlis
©2009 Academic Journals

Review

User education in libraries

B. Ravi Kumar* and M. Phil
Chirala Engineering College, Ramapuam Beach Road, CHIRALA- 523155, Prakasam (Dt), Andhra Pradesh, India.
Accepted 26 May, 2009

In this User education in academic library topic we are mainly giving the information about different
kinds of users and non users and using materials and how to use it. What is the nature of information
and different kinds of information? Characteristics of the user and education and how to educate the
user. Different kinds of user education specification if user education nature of user education and
information displayed containing information about opening hours. Library information rules, Library
timings, staff maintained. Lecture methods may be formal / informal, workshop about the CD-ROM,
online services practice workshop. Advertising papers, journals, posters, pamphlets.

Key words: Type of users, Nature of Information need, planning of education, guiding signs and boards,
introduction of library.

INTRODUCTION

In information system user is an important component. or near synonyms to users as patron client, member
But our librarians and information managers neglected customer. Of these, user is the preferred term.
this aspect for a long time. Access to relevant information
is highly essential particularly in industrial, research and
development sectors. Right information to the right user Definitions
can pave way to new directions to research and deve- According to a “Whittaker” a user may be defined as, “a
lopment. It is imperative that to achieve this objective we person who uses one or more library’s services at least
should understand the library user, how they interact with once in a year”. Users are individuals who can be divided
the system, their pattern of search and their pertinent in to different categories on the basis of tasks assigned to
information requirement. Pandey 1992, Chaturvedi 1994. them in a library organization (Devarajan, 1989).

Objectives Types of users

In this unit will be able to understand the: The users are one type but libraries are different from
i) The meaning and definition of user and user education. those of another type. In a public library the users are
ii) Types of academic library users. mainly children, student’s, housewives, farmers, retired
iii) Analysis of user needs. persons, literates and even also researches. In an aca-
iv) Planning of user education. demic library the users are students, teachers and
researchers, whereas as special groups of users of whom
the library is intended. From what is stated above it can be
User education assumed that in the public libraries the users are almost
heterogeneous and in academic and special libraries the
Users
users are almost homogeneous in nature. For an effective
In a library or an information center the users are the last information service as an information manager, he should
links or the recipient of the information in the communica- ascertain about the information requirements of his library
tion cycle. There are number of terms used as synonyms users.
Information users can be categorized mainly into 4
groups, on the basis of their approach to information a
libraries, they are:
*Corresponding author. E-mail: ravibezwada@yahoo.com. Tel.:
9912724797. i) Potential user: One who needs information which can
002 Int. J. Lib. Inf. Sci.

be provided by specific services. resources. It is the duty of a librarian especially in public

ii) The expected user: One who is known to have the libraries to convert non-users or ‘on lookers’ into potential
intention of using certain information services. and habitual users of such libraries. There are a number
iii) Actual user: One who has actually used an information of ways by which librarian can attract such users into
service regardless of whether he derived advantages libraries by means of extension activities or other publicity
from it or not. methods. The duty of a librarian is more important to
iv) The beneficiary user: One who derives measurable convert non-users into habitual users and mould them as
advantages from information services. capable citizens just like other citizens who are engaged
in social development.
User groups may be divided in a number of ways. They
can be divided as administratively into internal and
external users. Another type of classification of user Analysis of users needs and demand of information
community on the basis of library service they make use
of is the following. The major objective of library or information system is to
satisfy the information needs of users. Information needs
refer to individual needs of users regarding information,
General readers which should be satisfied, by the specific information
This type of user group, for example associated with needed by him. One relates to the kind of massage, in
public libraries, generally use light lending materials. terms of subjects, currency, etc and the others related to
means of supplying them. Information needs of a user
Subject readers depend on a number of factors such as work activity,
discipline and availability of facilities. Information can be
This type of user concentrates their use of library primarily divided into type’s viz. current awareness and
materials on subject field they are working or specializing. adhoc need. In the current awareness mode the users
require current information in their fields of specialization
Special readers or interest. While adhoc type, is the need to satisfy a
specific purpose. There are information about organi-
The users placed in this group are those with special zation and information about external environment in
needs, the result of disabilities of one kind or another which an organization needs to function. There are num-
physical or mental disability may be distinguished. bers of factors that effect information needs of users. The
following factors influence the information needs users
Non-readers users community.
These are made up of sub groups who make use of i) The use in which the information is to be put.
library materials, but not reading materials. A user ii) The background, motivation, professional orientation
coming into the library just to borrow a video or audio- and other individual characteristics of the users.
cassette is the best example of non-reading user. iii) The range of information sources available.
iv) The social, political and economic system surrounding
On the basis of various type of services the user.
v) The consequences of information use.
Dr. S. R. Ranganathan has grouped user community on
the basis of various types of services enunciated by him. Nature of information need
They are, the freshman, ordinary inquirer and specialist
inquirer (is one who specialist inquirer and general According to Mellier Vaight information need is a multi-
reader). faceted concept which is generally dynamic in users.
Here the freshman is the new member of the library, There are 4 types of information needs or approaches
ordinary inquirer is ordinary reader and specialist inquirer recognized among users. They are:
is one who specializes in narrow field where as general
readers are the associated groups. In order to satisfy i) Current approach: The current is that which users
these groups, Ranganathan has suggested 4 types of require to keep abreast of the nascent developments in
services such as initiation or orientation, ready reference his fields of specialization / interest.
service, long range reference and general help to general ii) Everyday Approach: It is the sought of specific piece of
readers respectively. information required by the user during day to day
investigation in the form of fact.
Non- users iii) Exhaustive approach: It is sought when a researcher
wants to have comprehensive detail about a specific topic
There are certain people who because of their style or on the field of study.
other environmental problems could not become mem- iv) Brush-up of catching-approach: Is adopted in situa-
bers of libraries in their vicinity and make use of the library tions were a particular user requires information
 Kuma and Phil 003

pertaining to related subject fields. collection that is, current, retrospective, date or facts,
information whatever it may be.
iv) To make the scientists aware of the different
User’s characteristics information holding agencies.
Lehman mentioned 8 user’s characteristics that, if v) To expose the method for strong scientific information
evaluate, would help the librarian in his efforts to satisfy collected on different search topics.
user need. They are: vi) To provide techniques for information search from
secondary periodicals, reference sources and other data
i) Functional reading level. basis like the online and CD-ROM.
ii) Visual level. vii) Able to ascertain the relative merit and demerits of
iii) Personality level. reading materials and reference tools.
iv) Capacity level. viii) Able to survey the current affairs in the different
v) Satisfaction level. periodicals on his own.
vi) Interest level. ix) Able to understand the time back between the
vii) Variability level and production of information and in its receipt by the user
viii) Vocational-a vocational level. and also availability of various channels of communi-
cation between the author and the user outside the
Systematic study of user community will reveal the preview of the library.
various characteristics of users seeking information. This x) To provide good foundation for the continued self-
will give necessary base guidelines to librarians to serve education by readers by during their life time.
various types of users groups.
Need for user education
User education Tremendous increase in the volume of publication as well
as the resulting complexity of libraries and the methods
Education is a long life process, there is no end. As far as by which literature is organized and disseminated nece-
library activities are concerns, the users are illiterates. ssitate the user education.
They need some sought of user education on how to use Rapid changes in teaching methods and the resulting
library resources and services. Because the collection trend towards a wider use of multi-media learning resour-
libraries are very complicated. To know how to use and ces ranging from the press cutting to slide tapes package
what the service available is etc., they must need and multiple kit. Such format has added new dimensions
assistance and guidance (Instructions, Initiation and to the learning process in all types of institutions.
education).
It has its own objectives. Broadly it means to bring the
awareness about or to guide the users, about library Planning for user education
facilities, collection, services etc, for new users this type Programming and planning of user education programme
of guidance is necessary. is very important particularly in academic and research
libraries. It needs a careful planning. According to “Tho-
Definitions mas G. Kirk” planning of user education programme
requires four things namely.
According to Shahi “It is a process of activities involved in i) Orientation.
making the users of the library conscious about tremen- ii) Bibliographic Instruction.
dous value of information in day to day life to develop
interest among the users to seek information as and
when they requires”. Course in literature search and seminars
Kirk has also mentioned about acquaintance with 6 skills.
General Viz., reference sources, indexing and abstracting perio-
dicals, library catalogue orientation knowledge, search
A process or programme through which potential users strategy and subject analysis. As a matter of fact many
information are made aware if the information sources”. library scientists have suggested many methods for plan-
ning of user education. All these may conveniently be
Important specific objectives grouped in following broad groups.

i) Made aware of the existence of the library, its content, Guiding by signs and boards
procedures and services. Orientation
ii) Create love and books and reading.
iii) To provide the scientists with basis skills for information i) Introduction to the library.
004 Int. J. Lib. Inf. Sci.

Table 1. Sample of some signs and boards. return of books. Layout of library building floor areas,
collection etc., location of various sections, services.
Changing counter Periodicals
books reference Library rules: Number of books to be issued according
1 100 to category of borrowers, type of books, loan period of
2 200 reference books, periodicals, general books and other
3 300
categories of books, overdue charges, reservation of
books.
4 400
5 500 Staff: Introduction with in charges of each section.
6 600
7 700 Procedures: Membership, registration and borrowing
8 800 procedure.
9 900
INTRODUCTION OF LIBRARY TECHNIQUES

ii) Introduction to the techniques. Scheme of classification, its features and class number,
iii) Introduction to the information sources. representing subjects, arrangement of subjects, cata-
logue inner form, author, title, subject etc., of the cata-
logue, how to use catalogue, how to find book with the
Literature search techniques use of catalogue. Shelf arrangement and special collec-
tions.
Evaluation of users

Guiding signs and boards: Signs and boards are the most INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION SOURCES
potent medium of instruction a board of responsible size,
with the work ‘library’ written on it should be affixed on Types of reference books and information contained in
the top of the library building in such a matter or it’s visi- this e.g., dictionary encyclopedia, directory of quotations,
ble from responsible distance. On the gate of the library a bibliographical dictionaries, gazetteers, almanacs, subject
board should be displayed containing information about encyclopedia, subject biography, abstracts, indexes, se-
opening hours. veral publications, demographic sources, standards, pri-
mary and secondary information sources use of non-
traditional sources.
UNI LIB: Opening hours

Week days:………………AM to …………….PM Literature search techniques

Sunday and Holiday……..AM to ……………PM
Use of indexing and abstracting periodicals, Thesaurus,
citation indexes, style manuals, how to use citation, pre-
The library remains closed on pare bibliography etc., introduction to all audio methods.
Similarly single line boards for self-guide section guides
should be displayed at appropriate places. Sample of Evolution of users
some signs and boards are given in Table 1. The users are examined whether they have assimilated
the instruction imported to them. During the course of
Orientation evaluation they must be asked to locate, find a particular
information and also be put to other search tests.
Orientation programme includes educating or instructing
user in topics like introduction to libraries, introduction to
Important methods
library technique and introduction information sources.
Senior library staff or teachers of library science impact i) Lecture method: may be formal / informal.
education of this type. Thou the classes may be short, ii) Advertising: (Paper, Journal, Posters, Pamphlets). If it
that is, about 25 - 30 min. Course contents of each of the is limited to a particular small geographical area. Incase
3 areas may be as under. of online and database then it requires very wide adver-
tisement through papers, journals etc.
INTRODUCTION TO THE LIBRARY iii) The workshop: About the CD-ROM, online services
(then gives hands on practice-workshop).
Library timing: Opening and closing hours on week iv) Brochures: It is brought out by each and every
days and holidays, close of the day, times for issues and Industry. It may contain history, use benefits, comparison,
 Kuma and Phil 005

purchases, addressee in brochures and leaves. Devarajan G (1989). User’s Approach in information in Libraries. Ess,
Ess, New Delhi.
v) News letters.
Devarajan G (1995). Library and Information user and user studies.
vi) Demonstration method. Becon book, New Delhi.
vii) Book exhibition.
viii) Display of new arrivals.
ix) Mass media.

REFERENCES

Pandey SKS (1992). Library and Society. Ess Ess, New Delhi.
Chaturvedi DD (1994). Academic Libraries, Anmol, New Delhi.