10 Recent Trends in User Education

Dr.Jitendra Shrivastava

1     INTRODUCTION

 

The user is prime component of any information system or library. Due to new emerging information and communication technologies number of e-resource journals are being published User is not familiar with these newly emerging information resources because they are increasing in leaps and bound. Traditional user education methods are not very much effective. To ensure optimum use of e- information resources, it is necessary to know about the reading habits, information seeking behavior, and working environment etc. The optimum use of library resources depends entirely upon its educated user. In a changing environment of digital library, networked environment and fast growing ICT, it becomes necessary to educate the user to use modern digital library and e-information resources.

  1. What is User Education?

The term User Education, User Instruction, User Orientation and User Assistance are synonymous and have been often used interchangeably. The aim of User Orientation Programme is to introduce users with finding information with a specific library.

 

ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science defines user education as “The term encompasses all types of activities designed to teach users about library services, facilities, organization, library resources and search strategy. It includes instruction in the use of one or more reference sources as a part of reference transactions, library use presentation and bibliographic instruction”

  1. Needs of User Education

Following are the needs of user education:

  • Due to information explosion, users and researchers are unable to keep abreast of current information.
  • Due to fast growing publications in the field of science and technology.
  • Due to increasing use of on line information resources and e-publications.
  • To make use of library resources independently by the users.
  • To familiarize user with the library and new library resources.
  • To ensure optimum use of library resources.
  • To raise academic level of the students.
  • To develop awareness among users for the use of library.
  • Due to changing behavior of users with the changing environment in the library.
  • Due to many users are not aware about how to approach library staff with their problems.
  1. Objectives of the User Education

Following are the objectives of User Education Programme:

  • A general orientation to available facilities and resources.
  • To educate the user to know various reference tools in each disciplines;
  • To create awareness and understanding of the basic relevant library and information sources and services;
  • To bridge the gap between the potential user and the library collection;
  • To enhance users’ skills to select right information sources and systems for a given information need;
  • To facilitate effective and efficient use of the library and its resources;
  • To increase users efficiency and make them able to access, analyze and to retrieve the required information;
  • To evaluate existing library and information resources on the basis of use; and
  • To ensure optimum use of library and information resources
  1. Methods of User Education

Following are the methods of User Education Programme:

  • Lecture
  • Seminars/workshops
  • Tutorials/Demonstration
  • Library tour
  • Practical exercise
  • Individual help
  • Audio /Visual Instructions
  • Printed media
  • Computer Aided Instructions
  • On line help
  • OPAC
  • Short Term training courses
  • Web based training, etc
  1. Trends in User Education

User is an important component of library and information centers. Modern libraries are going to become knowledge resource centers, learning centers and trying to fulfill the information needs of the user. There is need to educate the user to make them able to select, analyze, and retrieve the information according to their needs. In a changing environment, information seeking behavior, information needs of the users, fast growing and changing ICT, availability of e- information resources in variety of formats, web based resources are challenging not only users but also library and information centers .

 

In the absence of any user education policy, the use of library reading material may be affected. Traditional methods of user education such as manual catalogue lectures and seminars, printed media etc are becoming obsolete. There is an urgent need to develop user education policy as well as user education methods up to the end user at global level instead of library campuses.

 

With the development of modern digital library and e-resources, new user education methods are necessary. Following are the recent trends in user education:

 

5.1 User education in Networked Environment

 

Computer networks are growing rapidly around the world. The volume of information available on these networks is also increasing very fast. Tremendously growing computers and communication technologies are challenging library professionals to respond to these and become a part of the main stream in library and information profession.

 

With the fast developing computer network and communication technologies, efforts of networking in various countries got a great boost in implementing operations of national and international computer networks. In the past, networks were mainly used for commercial purpose, but in recent years library and information centers have started the use of networks for resource sharing.

 

In networked environment, user should be able to use e- library resources available on various library and information centers. Internet based resources are increasingly used for scholarly purposes. However the details regarding scholar’s use of the resources are still unclear when they use e-resources for research.

 

Following are some important electronic resources:

  • Electronic journals
  • Bulletin Board for Libraries, U K
  • Directory of scholarly electronic conferences
  • Directory of electronic journals and newsletters
  • On line catalogue
  • OPAC on Internet
  • On line data bases
  • Electronic Books

5.2 Trends in User Education in Digital Libraries

 

The information flow is becoming larger now-a-days. Library provides its users documents in both printed and electronic sources such as digitized documents, e-books, e- journals and open repositories. Apart from accessing these resources users have become interested in using open internet and search engines.

 

5.2.1 Information Literacy Training to Research Scholars

 

This will help the users in the following:

  • To understand author’s rights and IPR
  • Deep Knowledge about open access publishing and self archiving
  • Research Assessment with the help of bibliometric methods

5.2.2 Tracing Research Information

 

The purpose of tracing research information is:

  • To know standard characteristics of scholarly literature
  • To conduct effective advanced searching through use of data bases
  • To evaluate and manage search hits
  • To manage ethical use of references in work

5.3 On line User Education

 

Especially in Digital Library user education may be offered in several ways, such as on- campus instruction classes, one-on- one instruction, Library basic training on-line courses and research help guides etc.

 

5.3.1 On- campus Instruction classes

 

These instruction classes are designed in such a way so as to provide the students practical knowledge of research techniques and help them become independent library users. However, face- to- face teaching may be required for specific course and research assignments and where specific need arises by the user and faculty.

 

5.3.2 One-on- one instruction

 

This includes databases, on line catalogues, and research methods. For a customized research strategy, user can receive instructions from research desk.

 

5.3.3 On-line Course on Basic Library Training

 

On line course for basic library training is designed in such a way to provide users library instructions facilities similar to face-to-face class room instructions. The online course provides user services available and how to use library resources and data bases etc.

 

5.3.4 Research Help Guides

 

This is designed to facilitate help in specific need. Research Help Guide recommends data bases, journals, books, web pages and finding specific information, assignments or a general topic or a specific topic.

 

5.3.5 Library Tour

 

Library tour videos should be designed to familiarize students and user with the physical layout of the library including study locations and to introduce them to the resources and services of the library.

 

5.4 On-line Public Access Catalogue

 

Library catalogue is the most important tool for locating reading material in the library. Recently its value has been restricted by its physical form, most commonly a large card catalogue or a set of printed volumes. The advent of computers and ICT, with their ability to process large amounts of information and output in a variety of formats has finally brought the library to the customer, in the form of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC).

 

OPAC provides access to the catalogue through a computer terminal. OPAC allows searching the entire catalogue online, conveniently and quickly, using one or more search criteria. One can, for example, search by author, title, keywords, class number or one or more of these combined together. OPAC even shows the current status of a book, whether it is loaned out, available on the shelf or lying elsewhere. Another advantage of OPAC is its ability to display catalogue records in a variety of formats such as AACR2, MARC etc, and the records can be displayed in a desired order. For example one can display records arranged (sorted) by author, title or call number. Most library management software packages offer printing of bibliographies from OPAC either on a printer or on a file. An OPAC terminal should be equipped with search software, which is usually part of integrated library management systems such as LibSys, EasyLib, NewGenLib, SOUL, Sanjay etc. Some integrated library management packages even use OPAC for other user services like reservation, membership enquiry and registration, inter-library loans etc.

 

When OPAC is accessible via Internet it is termed as Web OPAC. It is accessible by remote users as well as on campus via intranet. OPAC provides valuable information to the library users and he/she may able to know following information:

  • Collection of the library
  • Sorting of records by author, title or subject
  • Searching of records
  • Some ideas about library
  • Academic calendar of the institution

Now OPAC is using more sophisticated technologies and system is more users centered. Tagging, reviewing and RSS feeds are made available to users for interaction.

 

5.5 Information Literacy Education

 

Information Literacy is a kind of competency which refers to the ability to use information, study, analysis, search and retrieval of information by the user. Information literacy is essential for survival in the information society. Information literacy education mainly includes education about information awareness and information capacity. Information Literacy includes:

  • Information awareness
  • Sensitivity of information
  • Capturing of information
  • Analysis and absorption of information
  • Access to Information awareness
  • Information need awareness
  • Information limitation awareness
  • Information in advance awareness
  • Information innovation awareness
  • Ability to create new information

The increased information capacity of user to use information efficiently is becoming necessary for the user education. Therefore the ability of user’s information capacity is key aspect of the user education. Various national and international organizations, such as UNESCO, IFLA, ALA, CILIP, ILA, IASLIC etc, are playing a pivotal role in promotion of Information Literacy among masses.

 

5.6 Information Technology Education

 

With the development of information society, computer technology and development of information technology have become important tools and means in information retrieval and exchange. Multimedia technology, CD-ROM technology, database technology, storage and network technology provide great conveniences for our information storage, extraction, development and exploration, as well as increasing users’ dependence on technology. For library, it should allow users to master the use of network functions and methods; learn how to use foreign language bibliographic database in collection and inquiry system of thematic literature database; learn the use of electronic document collections as well as internet information resources. There is a need to provide information technology education to library users to improve their information competency.

 

5.7 Introducing Literature Retrieval Courses in Colleges and Universities

 

Seeking of information is a complex information and communication activity requiring access to diverse sources of information to deal with personal, social, and work-related problems. The tremendous development of information technology, the growth of the Internet, and the accompanying development of information and communication services provide users with access to many new services and potential new channels of information access. Generally setting up Document Retrieval and Utilization course in colleges and universities has become a major route for library user education. Information retrieval course is the backbone of the higher education curriculum as well as in library and information science education, and also should become a required course for college and university students. In Indian context Opening information retrieval course allows users to grasp a variety of search theories, methods, strategies and technologies, providing the basic knowledge of the use of library. Current information retrieval courses should be based on user-centered teaching and learning activities, fully encourage students’ potential and learning initiative, make use of advanced teaching techniques.

 

5.8 Web Based Information Literacy Education

 

Many libraries such as Bengaluru University, Indian Institute of Science, Jaypee University of Information and Technology and Indian Institute of Information Technology have established their own web page, which generally include the main overview of the library, services introduction, web navigation and user training. Through these, the users can have a more complete and systematic understanding about library. At the same time, they can make full use of collection resources through it and enjoy the various services. Online information literacy education is web-based information literacy education, which makes full use of computer and network technologies. It is in terms of traditional library users and becomes a trend of library user education. To develop the depth and expansion of library user education and make library close to readers, introducing the e-mail, BBS forum, videoconference and even online chat to library user education will be effective methods. At the same time, the use of sophisticated digital video technology counseling program can also help improve the skills of user information and retrieval of complex issues.

 

5.9 Through Library Portals

 

A library portal is an interface to access library resources and services through a single access and management point for users] combining the circulation and catalog functions of an integrated library system (ILS) with additional tools and facilities.

The Library Portal is a good place to start learning about the Library and its services.

The ideal library portal then will have the most thorough coverage possible in several areas of library profession, for all types of libraries.

  • Professional resources, such as practice manuals, standards, model programs, reports, and Studies
  • Originations, from the large national associations to local and special interest groups
  • Publications, both print and electronic materials
  • Conferences and other events to be organized
  • Library Web sites, including Web catalogs, Web OPAC’s
  • Communication channels, like discussion lists
  • Job announcements
  • Library user guidance
  • Reference Tools

5.9.1 Users/Clients and Portals

 

The basic idea behind the creation of portal is to simplify the access of resources with minimum help of others. Library portal should user friendly. Users/Clients need automatic access of resources of their library from one and only one place that is referred to portal. Having some features like customization for clarity, simplicity of use, self-evident of links and readily information retrieval and flexibility of personalization options the portal help the users/clients as follow.

  • Save the time and anxiety to finding information
  • Increase the self-confident in the information search process
  • Aware to current updates in their field. e.g. Article Alert (List of articles appeared in recently Periodicals),
  • New Arrivals (List of news books added in the library)
  • National and international institutes etc
  • Access Restricted users (Faculty) can access, download their required information from anywhere.
  • How to use library
  • Library user advisory service
  • How to use reference and information sources

Jaypee University of Information Technology maintaining such kind of portal named as Learning Resource Centre (http://www.juit.ac.in/library)

  1. Recent Developments in User Education

The development of online libraries, marketing of library services , products and communication with the user about library, library services, products, collection of library materials through multimedia becoming relevant today. With the emergence of various generation web technologies libraries are accessible 24X 7 to its users through different tools and various platforms of video creation and sharing.

 

According to Pew Internet research Project (2011) 71 % American people have watched video or shared videos on YouTube. Libraries can put their contents on web sites for users’. However it requires commitment to put videos and update contents regularly for sharing to its users.

 

Followings are the multimedia based user education methods

 

6.1 Selection of Library Services

 

Selection of the library services is the important task .Such as Demonstration of circulation section

Demonstration of reference service

Demonstration of 24X7accessibility of on line journals

Demonstration of lay out of the library

Demonstration of reprographic section

Document delivery services

So multimedia videos may be prepared for the promotion and benefit for the users

 

6.2 Creation of Power Point Presentation

 

The promotion of library activities may be done through MS Power Point presentation highlighting important library activities. Demonstration through MS Power Point becomes interactive due to voice and animation effects.

 

6.3 Uploading videos on YouTube

 

Once the videos are ready highlighting important activities, sections, library layout and library collection etc. These videos may be uploaded on YouTube, where a channel may be created in the name of library or learning resource centre. The British Library UK uploaded several videos on You Tube Such as using the Reading Room, Exploring the Collections and Document Supply Centre: Registration etc.

 

6.4 Library user education through Social Networking Sites

 

Social Networking sites influencing entire society as well as various organizations including library. Face book, LinkedIn etc. has been dominating in our lives. Numbers of libraries are being placed on face book. Library user may comment on library page. Comments may be divided in to several categories which may be related to library or not related to library.

 

Comments Related to Library

 Comments not Related to Library
General Information and layout of the Library General comments
Services of the Library Friendship
Complaints and suggestions Other services
Reference Desk/May I Help You News and Bulletin
Library working hours Other Comments
Thanks
Reference questions
Bookmarking

Today user is sharing information through social media and this trend is proliferating day by day.Libraries are also taking the benefit of social media to interact with their users.

 

7  Summing up

 

Library user is an important component of an information system and library. Number of the libraries is going towards digitization. In a digital and networked environment user’s information need is changing. Libraries have a challenge to provide right information to the right user at the right time. There is a need to educate library users in a changing environment for optimum use of library information resources. It has been observed that most of the users do not want to come to the library. Mostly users are using search engines like Google and yahoo for searching information. But users don’t get pinpointed information. There is a problem of authenticity, relevancy of information retrieved from search engines. Library or information centers help users to find their information with authenticity, relevancy and pin pointedly.

 

Various methods are using to educate library users. Following are the recent trends in library user education

  • Web Based Information Literacy Education
  • Library user education through Social Networking Sites
  • Uploading videos on YouTube
  • Users/Clients and Portal
  • Through Library Portal

Libraries should adopt user education method according to the changing needs.

 

References

  1. Chintha, N. “A Study of Web Based OPACs Services in India.” E-Library Science Research Journals 1, no. 4 (2013): 1-6.
  2. Dhiman, A.K, and S. Sinha. Academic Libraries. New Delhi: Ess Ess Publications., 2002. 455.
  3. Girja Kumar. Philosophy of User Eduaction. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing, 1983. 197-201.
  4. Krishan Kumar. Library Manual. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing, 1982. 375.
  5. Letha, M. “Library Portal: A Tool for Web Enabled Information Services.” DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology 26, no. 5 (2006): 11-16.
  6. Malhan, I V. “User Education and Training in Scientific and Technical Libraries in India.” In Dimensions of Library and Information Science, 429-436. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company, 1990.
  7. Mishra, M., and R. Mahapatra. “Need of User Education in Libraries: Re-envisaged.” VSRD Journals of Technical and Non-technical Research 4, no. 3 (2013): 43-49.
  8. Panda, KC, and Gautam, J N. Info Technology on The Cross Road: From Abacus to Internet.Agra: Y K Publisher, 1999. 1.
  9. Sood, S P. “User Education in Academic Libraries.” In User Education in Academic Libraries, 119-121. New Delhi: Ess Ess Publications, 1988.
  10. Zhu, Tian-Hui. “User Education under the Circumstances of Network.” US China Review 6, no. 1 (2009): 1-6.