Use of information resources and services in public libraries: a case of Bidar District, Karnataka State, India

Abstract

<smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"><smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"><smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"> Survey on use of information resources and services in the public libraries of Bidar District, Karnataka State, India show that a majority of the users were men between the age group of 11 – 30 years and they included students, unemployed youth or employees in private sector, belonging to lower and middle income group. They spent less than one hour in the library and inconvenient timing was the main reason for not visiting the library more frequently. Books and magazines, friends/teachers and radio/television were the information channels most frequently used to satisfy their information needs. Newspapers and magazines were the most frequently read information sources and fictions were the most frequently borrowed documents. Reading room and book lending services were the most frequently used services. Concludes that since majority of the users are students and unemployed youth, public libraries need to enrich their information resource collection, provide access to internet and offer community-based services, including literacy programmes. Public libraries need to take proactive approach in motivating users to use these resources and services to enhance their competence level. </smarttagtype></smarttagtype></smarttagtype>