ASSESSING USERS’ NEEDS AND SATISFACTION OF FINE ARTS LIBRARIES IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

Purpose: Information is the most valuable asset in the contemporary age and it is very essential for information searchers. University library delivers information and other resources to its users. Information needs and satisfaction of the users’ are completely rest on the performance of the library. Users’ satisfaction of the fine arts academic libraries depends on the library services, library systems, library facilities, infrastructure and skilled library personnel. This study has tried to assessing users’ needs and satisfaction of fine arts libraries in Bangladesh. The scope of this study is 07 (seven) public universities and 02 (two) private universities where existing fine arts faculty, institute, discipline and departments. This study has been showed for assessing needs, finding current status of resources and services of fine art academic libraries in Bangladesh, level of users’ satisfaction and recommendations for overcoming the existing situations. Methods: Survey method is used in this study for collecting data and information. For showing this study two sets of questionnaire were designed. One set of questionnaire was organized for the survey of the library resources and another set of questionnaire was for the library users. Results: The findings of this study shows that users of selected fine arts libraries using varieties library materials for their required information. Among these mentionable items are text books, reference books and periodical articles. 47.9% (percent) users are satisfied with text books. 57% (percent) users are satisfied with reference books. 29% (percent) users are satisfied with periodicals and 18% (percent) users are satisfied toward manuscripts. In this condition, the users are not fully satisfied with the materials available in the library. 30% (percent) users are satisfied towards overall services provided by the library. The users are partially satisfied regarding the library services. In this study, the researcher proposed two model plan regarding information needs and users satisfaction to fulfill the information needs and bring up satisfaction of the fine art users. Finally, this study recommended that regarding administration the authority should establish full-fledged fine art academic library, increase sufficient fine art collection, library budget, and appointment skilled professional staff and take necessary initiatives for library automation. Besides, regarding the library services the authority should arrange proper arrangement of reading materials, increase library hours, ICT facilities, arrange regular orientation program and user friendly library staff for enlightening the satisfaction level of the users of fine arts academic libraries in Bangladesh.