Print vs. electronic : user preferences for information resources : a comparative study

Abstract

Though University libraries have positioned themselves as the main vehicles for the organization, access, distribution and use of knowledge, current library services will eventually be inadequate to keep pace with the demands and expectations of modern library users. Therefore, this study is focused on the assessment of users preferences for electronic and print information resources available in Sri Lankan University Libraries. University of Peradeniya (UP) and University of Moratuwa (UM) were selected for the study. Survey method was adopted and undergraduate students of both Universities were considered as target Population. Proportionate stratified random sampling method was performed to select the samples. Based on faculties of two Universities, five percent (5%) from the population of each year such as second, third, fourth and final year were selected randomly. Questionnaires were used as the main research tool for the survey. According to the results, it was revealed that user preferences, expectations for print and electronic collection information resource collections vary significantly between universities. To add up majority of respondents had favourable attitudes towards print resources than electronic information resources than expected. Though, majority of users prefer to have digital libraries in future, they expect print collection to be continued, sufficient funds allocated to maintain the print. Users are very much satisfied with the print book collection in both university libraries but print journals and electronic journals are underutilized. Hence user education becomes vital in context of traditional or digital libraries.