The present study explores  information seeking habits of students of Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering &amp; Technology (DeemedUniversity) [Estab. By Government ofIndia], Longowal,Punjab.  150 questionnaires were distributed among students who are using the library of the Institute. 100% response was received from Library users

Bamnia, Prithvi Singh

Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (AJMS)

Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies                                  ISSN: 2321-8819 (Online) 
Volume 2, Issue 8, August 2014                                    2348-7186 (Print)   
     Impact Factor: 0.923 
    
 
                                                                       Available online at www.ajms.co.in  39 
Information Seeking Behaviour of Students at Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering 
& Technology (Deemed University), Longowal (Punjab) 
 
Prithvi Singh Bamnia, 
Research Scholar, JJT University, Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan) 
ABSTRACT: The present study explores information seeking habits of students of Sant 
Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (Deemed University) [Estab. By Government 
of India], Longowal, Punjab.  150 questionnaires were distributed among students who are using 
the library of the Institute. 100% response was received from Library users. 
Keywords: Library use; Readers’ services; SLIET; Information search 
1. Introduction:  
Now a days libraries are playing a significant 
role by meeting the information needs of 
information seekers.  Information seeking 
habits play an important role in accomplishing 
academic pursuit of students, teachers and 
other staff.  On the part of the library 
professionals, it becomes essential to attract 
information seekers towards library to exploit 
its resources and services.  From time to time 
libraries organise information literary 
programme to acquaint the users with library 
resources and services in order to fulfil  the 
needs of library users effectively and 
efficiently. 
2. Central Library of Sant Longowal Institute 
of Engineering & Technology (SLIET) : A 
Profile 
            Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & 
Technology (SLIET) (Deemed University) spread 
over 451 acres of land  was established by 
Government of India in 1989 to provide technical 
education in emerging areas of engineering and 
technology.  It caters to technical manpower 
requirements at various levels by adopting a new 
concept of modular system in imparting technical 
education with emphasis on practical training in 
industry.  The educational programmes of the 
Institute are non-conventional, innovative, practical 
oriented and contain all aspects of new education 
policy 1986 of Government of India.  The Institute 
offers following programmes of study : 
1. ICD programmes 
2. Degree Programmes 
3. M.Tech.,M.Sc and M.B.A. Courses 
4. Ph.D. Programmes 
The Institute is an  autonomous body fully funded 
and controlled by Government of India.  It has been 
registered as a society under Society Registration 
Act 1860 and is managed by Board of Management 
which is responsible for its general administration, 
direction and control. 
 Central Library is one of the rapidly 
growing libraries in Punjab.    Central Library as a 
central facility, it supports the teaching and  
research programmes of the institute and caters to 
the informational requirements of students, 
teachers, researchers and all other staff members of 
the Institute.  It aims at bringing the reading 
materials, the students and the scholars together 
under the conditions conducive for reading for 
pleasure, self discovery, personal growth and 
sharpening of intellectual curiosity.  Central 
Library and departmental libraries form Institute 
library system.  Central library is housed in a two 
storey modern building having 2108.36 sq.meter 
carpet area.  It has a spacious reading hall at first 
floor having  good sitting arrangement  for  readers. 
2.1. Collection 
Central library has a collection of  following  
reading materials 
a) Books                                                                               
:      70312 
b) Periodicals  
- Bound volumes  :2500 
- Periodical subscribed       : 68  
c) Magazines subscribed : 31 
d) Newspaper Subscribed: 16 
e) Video Cassettes:  689 
f) CDs :   2500 
g) Dissertation :            451 
2.2 Timings 
 - Monday to Friday 
 : 8.30 AM to 9.00 PM 
 - Saturday & Sunday 
 : 8.30 AM to 5.00 PM 
 - Holidays  
 : Closed 
 -       Reading Hall  
 : 24 hours 
Information Seeking Behaviour of Students at Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (Deemed University), 
Longowal (Punjab) 
 
 
Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2(8) August, 2014 40 
2.3. Organization of Library :  Central Library 
has been functionally organized as under :- 
1. Acquisition Section 
2. Circulation Section 
3. Periodical Section 
4. Technical Section 
5. Book Bank Section 
6. Departmental Libraries 
7. Reference Section 
8. Binding Section 
3. Objectives of the Study 
Following are objectives of the study:- 
i) To find out frequency of visit to library 
ii) To identify purpose of visit to library 
iii) To evaluate purpose of information seeking  
iv) To explore satisfaction level of users with 
library facilities and services 
4. Scope and Limitation of the study: 
The study is limited to students of engineering 
discipline of Sant Longowal Institute of 
Engineering & Technology (SLIET), 
Longowal. 
5. Research Methodology: 
Survey method was used to conduct the study . 
Data was collected by employing 
questionnaires.  150 questionnaires were 
distributed among the students.  All the 
students responded.  Data was analyzed and 
interpreted through statistical method using 
tables.
 
6. Data Analysis and Interpretation: 
Data collected has been analyzed and interpreted through tables shown below:- 
Table 1: Population sample and number of respondents           
Table 1 shows that 150 students were chosen as sample for carrying out the study.  All students responded.   
All responses were found valid for study. 
Table 2: Frequency of Visit to Library 
Sr.  
No. 
Frequency No. of 
Respondents 
Percentage 
1. Daily 90 60% 
2. Twice a 
week 
30 20% 
3. Weekly 15 10% 
4. Fortnightly 10 6.66% 
5. Monthly 05 3.34% 
 Total 150 100% 
Table 2 depicts that 90 (60%) students visit library 
daily followed by 30 (20%) twice a week, 15(10%) 
weekly, 10(6.6%), fortnightly and 5 (3.34%) 
monthly. 
Table 3 : Purpose of visit to Library 
Sr. 
No. 
Purpose No. of  
respondents  
Percentage 
1. To collect 
reading 
material 
135 90% 
2. To consult 
reading 
material 
05 3.34% 
3. To use 
internet 
services 
10 6.66% 
4. Any other 0 0 
 Total 150 100% 
Table 3 shows that 90% students visit library for 
collecting reading material, followed by 6.66% for 
using internet services and 3.34% for consulting 
reading material. 
Table 4 : Purpose for seeking information 
Sr. 
No. 
Purpose No. of  
respondents  
Percentage 
1. For Career 
Development 
and higher 
study 
150 100% 
2. To Write 
articles 
20 13.33% 
3. To solve 
practical 
problems 
15 10% 
4. To keep 
updated  
20 13.33% 
 Total 150  
Sr. 
No. 
Category of Respondents  Population samples No. of  
respondents  
Percentage 
1. Diploma students 30 30 100% 
2. Degree students 100 100 100% 
3. PG students 20 20 100% 
 Total 150 150 100% 
Information Seeking Behaviour of Students at Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (Deemed University), 
Longowal (Punjab) 
 
 
Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2(8) August, 2014 41 
(Note: Multiple choices were permitted) 
Table 4 highlights that maximum number of 
students seeks information for their career 
development followed by writing an article. 
Table 5 : Satisfaction with Library Facilities 
Sr. 
No. 
Facilities  No. of 
respondents 
Total 
%age 
Satisfied Un-
satisfied 
1. Opening 
hours 
145 5 150 
2. Study 
environment 
125 25 150 
3. Collection of 
Books and 
journals 
135 15 150 
4. Issue and 
Return 
system 
115 35 150 
5. Arrangement 
of  reading 
materials 
15 135 150 
6. Internet 
Access 
95 55 150 
Table 5 depicts that most of the students are 
satisfied with opening hours, collection and study 
environment of library.  135 students are satisfied 
with arrangement of reading material in library. 
Majority of students are unsatisfied with 
arrangement of reading materials.   
Table 6 : Satisfaction level of Respondents with  
Library Services 
Sr. 
No. 
Service No. of respondents Total 
%age  Satisfied Partially 
 satisfied 
Un-
satisfied  
1. Lending 
services 
125 15 10 100 
2. Reference 
Service 
20 45 85 100 
3. ILL 10 25 115 100 
4. Online 
service 
145 5 0 100 
5. Docume
nt tracing 
service 
15 20 115 100 
6. Book 
Bank 
25 35 90 100 
7. Photocop
y service 
115 15 20 100 
8. Current 
Awarene
ss service 
5 25 120 100 
9. OPAC 0 35 115 100 
10. EDUSA
T Service 
45 55 50 100 
11. Video 
Lecture 
Viewing 
service 
35 45 70 100 
12. Book 
Exhibitio
n  
105 20 25 100 
Table 6 evaluates the library services. It shows that 
maximum number of students are satisfied with 
lending service, online service and photocopy 
service. Majority of users are 
unsatisfied  with reference, ILL,document 
tracing,book bank,CAS, and OPAC services 
7. Findings and Conclusion: 
Findings of the study are as under: 
i) Maximum (i.e.90%) users visits 
library daily 
ii) Majority of users visits library for 
collecting the material  
iii) Most of the users seeks information 
for their career development 
iv) Maximum users are satisfied with 
opening hours and study environment 
of library  
v) Most of the users are satisfied with 
lending,  Online access and 
photocopy services. 
vi) Majority of users are unsatisfied with 
reference,document tracing,CAS, and 
OPAC services 
Conclusion: 
To conclude, it has been observed that most of the 
users are satisfied with resources, services and 
study environment of library. ICT based services 
and product are underutilized.  Library should 
popularize these ICT product and services by 
launching information literacy programme to 
enhance their usage. 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
Author is  thankful to Shri Sarabjeet Singh, 
research scholar ,Department of Management and 
Humanities, SLIET, Longowal for his support in 
carrying out the study.   
 
References: 
1.Introduction to Information Technology. Dorling Kindersley (India), New Delhi,2007 
2.Use of ICT in Library Services: A Comparative Study, An M.Phill Dissertation of the author submitted 
to Chaudhary Devi Lal  University, Sirsa, 2008 
 
Information Seeking Behaviour of Students at Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (Deemed University), 
Longowal (Punjab) 
 
 
Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2(8) August, 2014 42 
3.Bharati , Surender and Singh, Prithvi (2006) . Internet: A Boon for Library. In       Digital Library: 
Proceeding of National Conference of CGLA held at Dehradun 
4.Singh, P  (2003) , Digital Library and Digitisation: Some Challenges In Proceeding of national 
conference of Society for Information Science (SIS)  held at IITR, Roorkee 
5.www.eprints.com 
6.http:// www.wikipedia.org 
 7.Leon, Alexis and Leon, Mathews. Fundamentals of IT, Vikas Publishing house, New Delhi,1999 
 
 


Information Seeking Behaviour of Students at Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (Deemed University), Longowal (Punjab)

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