Questionnaire: Information needs of UNISA students using Adult Reference Department at Msunduzi Municipal Library, Pietermaritzburg.
I am currently registered for the Masters Degree in Information Studies at the University of KwaZulu- Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus, and conducting a research study as one of the requirements for the Masters programme. The purpose of my study is to identify the information needs of the users, assess them and use findings and recommendations of the study to contribute towards the implementation of reviewed collection development as well as improving service delivery. Participation is completely voluntary and answers will be kept confidential. I appreciate the time taken to answer the following questions.
Instructions for filling in questionnaire
I. Please tick “√” or mark with a cross “X” in the applicable answer(s).
II. Please print and use the space provided where you are required to specify.
III. Please do not leave blank spaces rather use “N/A” if not applicable.
Section 1: Demographic Data 1.1 Gender
Male Female
1.2 Age group Under 20 20 - 30 31 - 40 41 – 50 51+
109 1.3 What level of education are you registered for?
Certificate Diploma Undergraduate Postgraduate
Non-degree purposes
Other, please specify: _______________________________________
1.4 What is your field of study? ___________________________________
1.5 Are you a
1.6 What is your home language? _______________________________
Section 2: Purpose for use
The Adult Reference Department (ARD) provides the resources and services in various media formats to meet the needs of the users for education, information and personal developments, this section is trying to find out from you the primary purpose of using ARD and if that purpose is being fulfilled.
2.1 For what purposes are you using the ARD section of the library? (Please select all applicable options) To obtain study material
To use study area To do research To use internet café
To have group discussions with other students
Other, please specify: ________________________________________
Part-time student (working & studying) Full-time student (only studying)
110
2.2 How or from whom do you seek help from regarding your academic information need? (Please select all applicable options)
Consult reference staff Ask fellow students or friends
Other, please specify: _______________________________________
Section 3: Information needs
Information needs refers to the information required by students to fulfil their educational objectives.
3.1 How often do you visit Msunduzi Municipal Library?
Daily Weekly Monthly Rarely
Other, please specify: ________________________________________
3.2 Does the library have the necessary information to help you find what you need?
Always Often Sometimes Seldom Never
3.3 Please indicate the degree of satisfaction with information obtained from the ARD?
Very satisfied
111 Satisfied
Unsure
Moderately satisfied Unsatisfied
If moderately satisfied or unsatisfied, please explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________
3.4 Indicate your personal characteristics:
I have the language ability to express myself clearly I have experience in the use of the library
I have received training in the use of the library and its resources I have computer and information searching skills
Other, please specify: ________________________________________________
Section 4: Information sources
Information sources refer to any source of information that can be used to acquire information from, such as books, encyclopedias, journals, and the Internet.
4.1 How often do you use the ARD library resources and services?
Daily Weekly Monthly Rarely Never
112
4.2 Do you regularly find the prescribed or recommended books you need?
Yes No
Not applicable
4.3 Which sources do you consult when looking for information? Please tick “√” or place a cross “X” in each row.
Source Always Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Textbooks
Journals (Online/Print) Newspapers
Government Publications Internet
Other, please specify (e.g.
maps, encyclopedia, dictionary)
4.4 When using the ARD’s Internet café to find information for your studies, please indicate the level of satisfaction using a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 is “not at all satisfied” and 7 is “highly satisfied”.
Finding information 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Amount of time it takes to find information I need via internet searches
Success in finding the information I need on the internet
113
4.5 There are certain factors contributing to the sources of information you choose to consult and use when looking for information. These are ease of use, reliability, accessibility, relevancy and prior experience. How would you rank these contributing factors in terms of how influential they are? Please place an “X” for each row.
Factor Extremely
Influential
Very Influential
Somewhat Influential
Slightly influential
Not at all influential
Ease of use Reliability Accessibility Relevancy Prior experience Other, please specify
Section 5: Library Services
5.1 Are you aware of the following library services?
Library Services Yes No
Provision of all South African published books, journals, newspapers, government publication, and maps for reference purposes.
Inter-library loans Literature searches Internet services
114
5.2 Do you need any other reference services that are not provided by the library?
Yes No
If yes, please specify which one/s____________________________________________
5.3 How would you rate your overall satisfaction with ARD library resources and services? Using a scale below, please rate your overall satisfaction.
Completely dissatisfied Mostly dissatisfied Somewhat dissatisfied
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied Somewhat satisfied
Mostly satisfied Completely satisfied
Section 6: Challenges/barriers experienced by patrons
6.1 Please rank the barriers or challenges experienced (if any) when searching for information at the ARD in the library.
Barriers High Medium Low
Lack of access Lack of time
Inadequate resources
Lack of skills in using library resources Lack of knowledge of information sources Language
Other, please specify