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Types of Users - Users Studies, Users Education
Library Users
Information Need
Information Users Categories
       Methods
                Questionnaire method
                Interview method
                Diary method
                Observation method
                Operation research method
                Information seeking situation/critical incidents methods
Methods and Techniques of User Studies
              Observation Method
              Interview Method
              Literature Survey
              Sample Techniques
             Questionnaire Method 
             Information Seeking Behaviour 

Model's
            Willson 1996 model of information behaviour
            Ellis (1994) behavioural framework 
            Kuhlthou's (1993) information search process model

Library orientation or Induction
           Basic Methods of library orientation

User education
Need for user education
                                                                                                                                                                       

  Types of Users - Users Studies, Users Education  

  Library Users                                                                                      

A person who utilizes the information resources of a library, the services and products of an information system and derives benefit from them are called user. User are also known as patrons or clientele. User is the focal point of all information activities at all levels. 

 The library exist for its user and everything that is done in the library is geared to the promotion of service to them. In library and information field, a number of terms have been used to represent users such as patrons, clients, members, customers, borrowers etc. But the most frequently used term in libraries is users. 

 It represents a person who uses the library for his information needs. The users of one type of library are different from those of another type. In a public library the users are mainly children, students, house wifes, researchers, retired person, neo- literate etc. In an academic library the users are students, teachers and researchers where in a special library the users are mainly researchers or specialists who are specializing in a narrow field of subject. From what is stated above it can be assumed that in public libraries the users are heterogeneous and in the academic and Special libraries the users are almost homogeneous in nature. 


  Information Need                                                                               

Maurice B. Line has defined information need as, "what an individual ought to have for his work, his research, his education, his recreation etc. Information need is a term closely related to the concept of information seeking behaviour. A user recognising an information need, articulates it into a question or request which is conveyed through formal or informal channels of communication and information system, in order to receive a response (verbal, written, visual) which will satisfy that need. 


  Information Users Categories                                                            

Categories of users may include a specialist, a student, a housewife, an average layman, a businessman, a teacher etc. The categories of users will vary from library to library of course, the requirements of each category will also vary. User studies - user study or survey may be defined as "Systematic study of information requirements of users in order to facilitate meaningfully exchange between information systems and users'. 

User studies are conducted mainly to know the precise information needs of user so as to plan, design, organize and to operate the information system to meet those needs. Before planning and designing an information system the user studies must be conducts from time to time to provide efficient services and to modify the services in accordance with the varying needs of users. 


  Methods  

Major methods for user studies are 

 I. Questionnaire method 

 II. Interview method 

 III. Diary method 

 IV. Observation method 

 V. Operation research method 

 VI. Information seeking situation/critical incidents methods. 


 Methods and Techniques of User Studies                                           

 I. Observation Method - In this study, observation method was used to observe the negatives well as positive activity of user and related to library collection. The basis of there aspects of library collection, study has found the required information. 

 II. Interview Method - Mainly interview is process of personal interaction between two and other people. One is called researcher and second is called respondent. In this interaction, the relevant questions are asked for collecting the data. Further in this study, interview method was conducted to collect the data from the librarian, staff members to services provided by library and users. 

III. Literature Survey - Literature survey was helpful for the study various books, journals, internet and other relevant sources were helpful for searching. 

IV. Sample Techniques - Different type of charts, diagrams, and other sample were in the study to f ind out the relevant result. 

V. Questionnaire Method - using observation method and going through the records of library few basic data pertaining to library under study were collected. A questionnaire method was used to get response about the both libraries services and development work. Questionnaire was prepared for the users and staff members to collect information related to library service. A sample of questionnaire pertaining to the study was distributed to the respondents to acquire information need for the study. They were requested to respond to their respective questionnaire within a stipulated time period. After collection data, the analysis was done and final result shown in dissertation work. 

 VI Information Seeking Behaviour - The information seeking behaviour essentially refers, to locate discrete knowledge elements. It is concerned with the interactive utilization of the three basic resources namely people, information and system. Further in order, to satisfy the information needs, the user actively undergoes the information seeking process. The attempt of the user in obtaining the needed information results from the recognition of some needs, perceived by the user. 

 The information seeking behaviour results from the recognition of same need experienced by the user. Over the years there has been a change in the understanding of the information use behavior. Many studies in the past have stressed on the psychological aspect of the information seeking behaviour. The user's information behaviour is reflected in his affiliation to the information providing system such as literary and its various products and services. 


   Model's   

   a. Willson 1996 model of information behaviour   

Willson's 1981 model remains in the 1996 model. The "intervening variables" (as illustrated in the third group of concepts in figure) 


   b. Ellis (1994) behavioural framework   

Ellis first described his model of information seeking behaviour in 1984 and has since then developed the model in information seeking studies of various groups of researchers, including engineers. Ellis derived eight generic characteristics of the information-seeking patterns of social scientists. Ellis later extended this work to physicists, chemists and engineers. 


   c. Kuhlthou's (1993) information search process model   

kuhlthau's information search process model focuses on the affective and cognitive aspects of the information search process. According to pettigrew, Fidel and Bruce her study is "a landmark study" which sets the scene for researchers "within the cognitive framework". Fidel maintains that the study is one of the best examples of holistic research in which three realms were incorporated: the affective (feeling) the cognitive (thoughts) and the physical (action) that are common to each stage of the information search process the model has also been employed in a number of later empirical studies, most of them dealing with referance criteria or web information retrieval. The different stages identified by Kuhlthau in the information search process model are last initiation, topic selection, exploration search formulation, information collection, search closure and starting writing. 


 Library orientation or Induction                                                         

Orientation means giving information about the company to the new employees 

 The more basic form of user education is orientation to the library. All new users stepping into a new environment of the institute requires an introduction to its library facilities. To meet these needs libraries have an active orientation programme which includes printed library guides and printed brochures. Printed materials serve as an efficient means for providing directional information that is required by a new user, but they cannot substitute for individualized orientation. 

   Basic Methods of library orientation  

 i. class room presentation. 

 ii. Printed brochures. 

 iii. Signs and Notice Boards. 

 iv. Workshops and Seminars 



 User education                                                                                     

user education as any effort formal or informal, which will guide and instruct existing and potential users in the recognition and formulation of their information needs, in the effective and efficient use of information services and the assessment of source materials that can satisfy specific requirements. 

 Our librarians and information managers neglected this aspect for a long time. Access to relevant information is highly essential particularly in industrial, research and development seetors. Right information to the right user can pare way to new directions to research and development. It is imperative that to achieve this objective we should understand the library user, how they interact with the system, their pattern of search and their pertinent information requirement. 

  Need for user education  

 1. The recognition of their own information needs. 

 2. The formulation of these needs. 

 3. The effective and efficient use of infonmation services as well as. 

 4. The assessment of the services.














                                                                     Notes                                                                









                                                                     Question                                                           

1. Match the following: 
                   List A                                                            List B
    Types of users of Information                                   Purpose
1. Teachers                                                          a. Decision making
2. Government officials                                      b. To pursue academic work
3. Students                                                          c. Pursue their vocation
4. Professionals                                                   d. To impart education
A. 1-a, 2-b, 4-d                        B. 1-b, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a 
C. 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b                 D. 1-d, 2-a, 3-b, 4-c
Ans: 

2. ‘Fair use’ is the norm for determining the legality of
A. producing the second edition of a book 
B. photocopying an entire book 
C. making available a book to another library on inter-library loan 
D. prescribing a book as a text book
Ans: 

3.Assertion (A): User education is constituted of the four interrelated components. 
Reason (R): Library orientation and bibliographic instruction form the basic components of user education 
Codes: 
A. (A) is true, but (R) is false 
B. (A) is false, but (R) is true 
C. Both (A) and (R) are true 
D. Both (A) and (R) are false
Ans: 

4. Who contributed on the systematic use of user’s education? 
A. S.S.Green                                 B. Melvil Dewey 
C. E.J. Coates                               D. Patricia B. Knapp
Ans: 

5. User education may be provided in four interrelated areas which are 
A. user’s awareness, user studies, library orientation, bibliographic instruction 
B. user’s awareness, library orientation, inter-profiling, bibliographic instruction 
C. aptitude test of the users, use of cataloguing, inter-profiling, user’s awareness 
D. bibliographic instruction, library orientation, computer literacy, user’s awareness
Ans: 

6. Assertion (A): Users can have access to large number of e-journals. 
Reason (R): Users are not aware of using e-journals. 
Codes : 
A. (A) is true, but (R) is false 
B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A) 
C. (A) is false, (R) is true 
D. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Ans: 

7. In a College Library, ‘Library Orientation to users’ should be given at the 
A. beginning of each academic year             B. end of each academic year 
C. in middle of each academic year              D. none of the above
Ans: 

8. ‘Initiation Programme to new user’ was coined by 
A. P. N. Kaula                                  B. Jefferson 
C. S. R. Ranganathan                      D. C.W. Hanson
Ans: 

9.  What is called that above a and b system which processes bibliographic data and other records of human knowledge and also provides their access to the users? 
A. Library system                     B. Processing system 
C. Information system              D. Data system
Ans: 

10. Assertion (A): Internet can replace libraries. 
Reason (R): Google searches will satisfy the maximum users needs. 
Codes : 
A. Both (A) and (R) are true 
B. Both (A) and (R) are false 
C. (A) is true but (R) is false 
D. (A) is false but (R) is true
Ans: 

11. Who are freshman for the library? 
A. Those come to library first                                           B. Those come first time in the library 
C. Those came first time to make use of the library          D. Those who are fresh minded
Ans: 

12. Those who come to make use of the libraries are called 
A. Members of the library                    B. Readers of the library 
C. Users of the library                          D. Scholars of the library
Ans: 

13. Into how many categories users of the libraries have been divided by Dr. S. R. Ranganathan? 
A. 5                   B. 6 
C. 7                   D. 8
Ans: 

14. What are the methods of user’s studies? 
A. Measurement of use                 B. Surveys of the users 
C. Community profiles                 D. All of these
Ans: 

15. Which college experimented user’s education for the first time? 
A. Graduate school of Librarianship                B. Simpons College 
C. Montieth college                                          D. Ohio college
Ans: 

16. What does behaviour studies of the users reveal? 
A. Scientists spend their full time in searching 
B. Scientists spend half of the time of their working hours in searching 
C. Scientists spend most of the time of their working hours in searching 
D. Scientists spend more time of their working hours in searching
Ans: 

17. How many types of user’s studies are there, what are their names? 
A. Behaviour and use studies                                        B. Behaviour studies 
C. Behaviour, use and information flow studies           D. None of the above
Ans: 

18. What is called that user’s study which is conducted to find out the pattern of flow of information in the communication system? 
A. Behaviour studies                        B. Use studies 
C. Information flow studies             D. None of the above
Ans:

19. What is called that user’s study which is conducted to find out the pattern to overall interaction of the user’s community with the communication system? 
A. Behaviour studies                    B. Use studies 
C. Information flow studies         D. None of the above
Ans: 

20. User’s education is relate with 
A. W. C. B. Sayers           B. P. Knapp 
C. Ranganathan               D. M. Dewey
Ans: 

21. What is called that users study which is conducted to find out the use of any communication media such as primary or secondary periodical? 
A. Behaviour studies                      B. Use studies 
C. Information flow studies           D. None of the above
Ans: 

22. What is user’s study? 
A. Study of library                B. Study of the users of the library 
C. Study of utility                 D. Study of the needs of the users
Ans: 

23. What is called that method of user’s studies which is undertaken to assess the information gathering habits of library users? 
A. Surveys of the users                  B. Community profiles 
C. Measurement of use                  D. All the above
Ans: 

24. Who are academic users of the libraries? 
A. Students only                                                B. Students, teachers, researchers and public 
C. Students, teachers and researchers                D. Teacher only
Ans: 

25. Why it is essential to study user’s need for information? 
A. To assess the needs for books of users 
B. To assess the needs for periodicals of users 
C. To assess the needs for all reading materials of users 
D. To assess their approach to seek the use of documents
Ans: 

26.  Surveys of the users of the libraries are conducted for what? 
A. To assess the information gathering habits of users 
B. To assess their approach to seek the use of documents 
C. To assess the extent of reliance of collection in libraries 
D. All the above
Ans: 

27. Match the following 
                List-1                                                          List-2
(Types of users of information)                       (Purpose of use of information)
I. Students                                                        a. Decision Making 
II. Professionals                                               b. To impart Knowledge 
III. Government Officials                                c. To prepare for the course programme 
IV. Teachers                                                      d. To pursue their respective vocation 
 Codes : 
A) I-c, II-d, III-a, IV-b 
B) I-d, II-a, III - b, IV-c 
C) I-c, II-c, III - d, IV-a 
D) I-b, II-b, III - c, IV-d
Ans: 

28. Assertion (A): Library cooperation is the prime need of the day. 
Reason (R): It is impossible for an individual library to meet all the requirements of its users. 
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation 
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation 
C. A is true but R is false 
D. A is false but R is true
Ans: 

29. Assertion (A): Arrangement of documents by subject will satisfy more users. 
Reason (R): Many users search for documents by title. 
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation 
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation 
C.  A is true but R is false 
D. A is false but R is true
Ans: 

30. Match the List-I with List-II 
          List-I                                  List-II 
a. Xerographic process          i. List of Users  
b. User profile                       ii. INIS 
c. Study Abroad                    iii. Electrostatic process 
d. Atom index                       iv. Handbook 
                                               v. Statement on user interest 
Codes : 
     (a) (b) (c) (d) 
A. (iii) (v) (iv) (ii) 
B. (v) (iii) (iv) (ii) 
C. (iii) (iv) (ii) (i) 
D. (v) (iii) (i) (iv)
Ans: 

31. Which organisation/s is/are promoting user education in India? 
A. INSDOC, New Delhi & DRTC, Banglore 
B. BIS, New Delhi & DRTC, Banglore 
C. INSDOC, New Delhi & BIS 
D. IARI, New Delhi & BIS
Ans: 

32.