Use and User Study of Library Visits by Undergraduate Students at an Agricultural University Library: A Case Study

Use and User Study of Library Visits by Undergraduate Students at an Agricultural University Library: A Case Study

¹Ms. Mona Shambhau Yeole., ²Dr. Prince Ajaykumar T. Aagashe

¹Librarian, J.  M.  Patel  Arts,  Commerce & Science College,  Bhandara-441904

²Librarian, Matru Seva Sangh Institute of Social Work University, Nagpur

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2025.100700021

Received: 25 June 2025; Accepted: 27 June 2025; Published: 31 July 2025

ABSTRACT

Library user study is an important study that examines library use through view of user with all of aspects. Weskit states that the  user study  means “information processing processes may be the focus of user”. According to the definition given above, a user study is typically defined as a study that focuses on users in order to directly or indirectly understand their information needs, habits, and patterns. This research focuses on the library visit of postgraduate and undergraduate students of  Agriculture  university students at the DPDKKV Users are an essential part of every information system.

It is well known that keeping existing users and attracting in new ones depend on service quality and their satisfaction. Access to relevant information is crucial for library services, and the appropriate information given to the right person can lead to new lines of inquiry and advancement. Even though online resources are now readily available to all educators and researchers, traditional documents still play a significant role. Librarians, information officers, and documentation officers should comprehend library users, how they engage with the system, and their relevant needs in order to accomplish the goal of this study.

Keywords: Library visit, user study, user visit, DPDKKV

INTRODUCTION

It is difficult to describe the field of knowledge known as “user study.” To enable meaningful interactions between users and information systems, a user study is a methodical investigation of users’ information needs. The term “user study” has been defined by many knowledge scientists. Weskit states that the study of users’ information processing processes may be the focus of user research. According to the criteria given above, a research paper that focuses on users to identify their information needs, use patterns, and behavior—whether directly or indirectly—is typically referred to as a user study

Need For The Study

• The study will assist library personnel in determining the characteristics and requirements of the user base and in taking the appropriate actions to meet those needs.
• To ascertain the user study’s scope.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Senthur velmurugan, V (2013) has investigated the information needs, value of library resources and services, and issues faced by faculty members at two government-aided arts and science colleges: Virudhunagar Senthikumara Nadar College Virudhunagar and V.V. Vanniaperumal College for Women. The study’s conclusions showed that the majority of  Lectures were given by the faculty. The majority of faculty members used the reference and textbook books and visited the library twice a week on average. They typically went to the library to refresh their knowledge and be ready for class assignments. Additionally, it was shown that the majority of faculty members do not find the library catalog to be a sufficient way to retrieve information.

Farheen Fatima and Tadasad P G (2013) carried out the study to determine the attitudes of all user types toward library resources at Gulbarga University Library, Gulbarga. Only 219 of the 250 questionnaires that were sent to P.G. students, research scientists, and teaching personnel were collected for the study. The purpose-framed hypothesis was examined using the “paired t-test and one-way ANOVA test.” The study’s geographic scope was restricted to Jnanaganga, Gulbarga University’s main campus. According to the study’s findings, people were more aware of books, dictionaries, newspapers, general magazines, and encyclopedias than they were of Indian scientific periodicals, catalogues, or union catalogues. Other resource awareness is mediocre. The least used resources were yearbooks/almanacs and catalogs/union catalogues. It is found that users are not satisfied with the library.

METHODOLOGY

The study was conducted using user statistics gathered and made available on the library’s computer for a year, from March 2022 to February 2023. Gender, department, subject, and month were the categories used to separate the obtained data.   Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (DPDKKV), Akola was established in 1969 in Vidarbha Region. The web domain is available, that is http://dpdkvu.in . The university runs 8 colleges and 19 Research centers. This agricultural university receives support from the Maharashtra government and ICAR to advance agricultural education, research and development, library collection, e-resources, and ICT infrastructure.

The library at DPDKKV Agriculture University boasts approximately 122,893 books, complemented by 135 magazines and online journals. In addition to emphasizing knowledge, technology, information, and communication, this institution offers high-quality technical education to empower young people to serve society responsibly.

Data Analysis

User Visit Based On Gender

Table 1 demonstrates that male students (51.46%) make up the majority of library patrons, suggesting that female students are making better use of the resources available to them than male students.

Table 1 Gender wise Library User Visit

Figure 1: Gender wise Library User Visit

User Visit Grouped Basing Department As Criterion

Table.2: Department Wise Library visit

Figure.2: Department wise library visit

User Visit Grouped Based On Department As Criterion

Table  2 indicates that the subject Forestry Science visitor is (11.72%), which is the highest no. of users. Agriculture Engineering (5.86%) discipline of students visited the library much less than other disciplines. It seems that a larger number of library walks were assigned by the department, followed by the personal interests of students.

Table 3: Month-Wise Library User Visits

Table 3: Month-Wise Library User Visits

Table 3 shows that more number of students visited the library during January, February , March, April, May, and August,  because students are preparing for their examinations. Whereas during June, July, Sept, October, and November lower number of students visit, because the Session started in June month so the process of making library cards making and issuing takes time to distribute library cards to whole students.

Figure 3: Month-Wise Library User Visits

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

According to the results, respondents prefer to visit the library on a regular basis despite the rapid advancements in information and communication technology, which have made the Internet freely accessible to all. However, the frequency of visits varies among students.

• Respondents from the male gender (51.46 %) visited the library more, which indicates that male students are using the library resources effectively compared with female students.
• Respondents from Forestry Science, AGRIS-Business Management, Home Science & Nutrition (including Polytechnic-branched students were visited regularly. Fishery Science, Agricultural Engineering, Co-Operative & Banking (Including Polytechnic Majority of the respondents have visited the library more often during, January, February, March April, May, and August, Whereas during June, July, Sept, October and November lower number of students visit, because the Session started in June month so the process of making library cards making and issuing takes time to distribute library cards to whole students.

The university library must be a vital part of an institution’s subsystem and play a significant role in supporting the super system. The department administrators and library staff should take the required actions to provide the newest technologies and information resources in both physical and electronic formats at the highest levels possible in order to enhance and boost user visits. This will allow students to expand their knowledge and abilities in order to use the information resources and services through library visits.

REFERENCES

1. Bouazza, A., & Mufaraji, M. (2005). Use of school libraries by teachers: The case of Oman .Libri 55(2): 140-147.
2. Farheen Fatima and Tadasad P G (2013). Users‟ Attitude towards Library Resources In a University Environment: A Case Study Of Gulbarga University Library Gulbarga, International Research: Journal of Library &Information Science, Vol.3 No.2,Jun.2013.Retrievedfrom: http://irjlis.com/wp-  content/uploads/2013/07/12_IR117.pdf
3. Kumud Prabha (2013). Information seeking behaviour of different types of users in selected libraries of Delhi, International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science, Vol.3 No.2Jun. 2013 Retrieved from: http://irjlis.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8_IR113.pdf