The present study attempted to investigate the usage of libraries by overseas
students. The research was carried out in two universities in the ACT, namely,
the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Canberra (UC).
The study investigated two main aspects: the use of institutional as well as other
libraries in the ACT, and the difficulties encountered in utilising institutional
libraries. These two aspects were also treated as the dependent variables.
Relationships between these two dependent variables and the following
characteristics, which were regarded as the independent variables, were tested: the
institution attended (ANU or UC), having had library orientation in the
institution attended, previous use of libraries, mediums of instructions in
previous educational institutions, level of study, year of study, period of time
spent in Australia, gender, and age.
The research used survey methodology. A questionnaire was sent to a sample of
521 overseas students and a response rate of 72 percent was obtained.
With regard to the use of institutional libraries, it was found that most students
visited their libraries more than once a week. The three most used library
facilities were borrowing books, use of library staff for assistance and the short loan
service, while the three least used facilities were inhouse information sheets,
abstracts and indexes, and CD-ROM databases. The three most used libraries in the
ACT in descending order were the ANU library system, the National library of
Australia, and the University of Canberra library.
Difficulties encountered in utilising institutional libraries included difficulty in
utilising library facilities, difficulty with library rules and regulations, difficulty in
looking for required materials in the libraries, unsuccessful library visits,
difficulties as a result of English being a second language, difficulty following the
layout of the libraries and perception of the libraries' atmosphere.
Relationships were found between some of the independent variables and the
dependent variables. In some cases, the findings were expected while in other
cases they were unexpected. With the unexpected findings, it is possible that one
or more independent variables, other than the ones under consideration,
influenced the findings thus leading to surprising results.
The study concludes with recommendations and suggestions for further research.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218956 |
| Date | January 1994 |
| Creators | Githiomi, Jane, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Information, Language & Culture |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Jane Githiomi |
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