Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
7-2019
Abstract
Purpose: The study seeks to elicit information on gender difference with regards to the familiarity with IT, Search Engines, Automated Library Services and Electronic Information Resources. It also aims to determine the frequency of use of various Automated Library Services and Electronic Information Resources and the influence of the Internet on the information seeking behavior of the postgraduate students.
Methodology: The study adopted a survey method administering the well-structured questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed with equal proportion based on gender among 208 PG students of science and social science faculty selected by stratified random sampling technique.
Findings: The study revealed that the Internet to a greater extent has influenced information seeking behaviour of more females (39.4%) than males (32.7%). Further, the study revealed that the numbers of search engines that are known to respondents are very few (Google & Yahoo). It was seen that both male and female postgraduate students are moderately aware of library services like Circulation, Reference, and Internet services rendered in the university library. Also, such services are being used by most of the respondents across both the genders. The results further show that there is an extremely low awareness level across the genders regarding the e-resources provided by the university library.
Implication: The study implies that it provides fresh data to the library management on the awareness and use of library services and e-resources by the postgraduate students. Besides, the study will be useful for policy-makers in the library and also it contributes to the literature.