Knowledge and use of library resources by academic staff at the University of Kwazulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg (UKZNP) campus

Abstract

This study was based on a Master’s dissertation which investigated the knowledge and use of library resources by academic staff at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg (UKZNP) campus. The specific objectives of the study were to determine academic staff knowledge of the library’s resources and capabilities; to determine the extent to which academic staff used the UKZNP Library; to determine what information and library resources were used by academic staff and to determine whether communication takes place between academic staff and librarians and the nature and extent of such communication. The survey research method was used and the data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. All 131 academic staff of the Faculty of Human and Management Sciences were surveyed. Significant findings revealed that the vast majority of staff used the library mainly on a weekly basis. The majority of respondents had received library instruction either as a student or as a member of staff. Communication between academic staff and subject librarians was taking place but not to any great extent. The study recommended that more academic staff should undergo formal library instruction and communication between academics and librarians should be improved.

Innovation No.42, June 2011