Library And Users Dr C Krishnamurthy Introduction Library

Library And Users Dr. C. Krishnamurthy

Introduction Library is Considered as trinity of Documents, Users, Librarians/professionals Users Documents Librarians/Professionals The main goal is to provide, pinpointed, exhaustive & expeditious information. In order to achieve this goal, libraries collect various pieces of recorded information in variety of sources and documents

However in the recent days the needs of the users is getting complicated due to the following factors ; �Increase in the amount & complexity of literature. �Scattering of literature. �Language barriers �Access to information through different media. The efficient way of supplying the information tailored to the user needs, is to establish link between the information materials & users. Three important factors to be considered in the process are Accuracy : Depends upon the originators and processors of information. Relevance : Which is judged by the user. Availability: Which is the responsibility of the professional.

Reader us User The term ‘Reader’ is extensively used in the Library context, where books are the major sources of information. But in a documentation centre or an Information system the term does not holds good as there are some documents, which require some special equipment or tools. Therefore the ‘Comprehensive term user’ is employed to represent the seekers of Information. Scope of the Term ‘User’ The term ‘User’ in the context of information chain may be at the end. The generator of Information who comes first may also ‘be an end-user’

In the context of a database, he is a searcher, A user may be a ‘researcher’ middleman, or a liaison officer in the dissemination of information. Thus the term ‘user’ is complex, varied & unclear In a Library or Information centre, the user constitutes the last link in the communication cycle also called: Patron, reader, member, customer, client, etc. However it is reveled from the LIS literature that for a long time the Information Professionals have given importance to studies on components of Information system except the users.

Types of Users can be categorised on the basis of numerous characteristics. Important among them are: By Nature of work: �Policy makers �Managers �Industrial Workers �Research Scholars. �Leisured Etc.

BY Psychological Criteria: Meek users With – Superiority complex - Inferiority complex - Selfish - Abnormal - Normal Etc. By Nature of activity - Study - Research - Specialization - Level of education & responsibility.

The users of one library are different from those of another. In a public library the users are mainly: Children Students House wives Retired Persons Neo-Literates Etc. In academic library the users are: Students teachers Researchers or specialists who are specialized in a narrow field or subject.

However it can be assumed that in public libraries the users are heterogeneous and in academic & special libraries the users are almost homogenous in nature. In order to provide effective information services one should understand the following. Who are the users? What are their needs? Use pattern? User behavior?