The utilisation of library spaces by postgraduate students at a university in an African country

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the use of library spaces by postgraduate students at the North-West University in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach A survey research methodology was used in which both online and print questionnaires were used to gather data. Findings The major findings of the study were that postgraduate students frequently visited the libraries to make use of the quite study spaces, which include the research commons and the study carrels. The study further found out that postgraduate students rarely visited the libraries for the purpose of consulting librarians regarding their studies. Challenges expressed by the students include insufficient workstations, poor internet and Wi-Fi connectivity and limited seating capacity. The benefit of the study is that it will help librarians and the university administrators to better understand the postgraduate students space needs, as well as the challenges being encountered. Research limitations/implications This biggest limitation of this study was a lack or low response rate by certain faculties, which mitigated against comparing the use of spaces by faculty. Practical implications The results of this study re-affirm the need for postgraduate spaces. University libraries that seek to build postgraduate spaces in the future need to ensure that an adequate number of computer workstations are supplied and Wi-Fi and bandwidth are improved. University libraries that already have postgraduate spaces should consider adding more workstations and improving bandwidth and Wi-Fi connectivity in those spaces. These results further point to a need for libraries in Africa and elsewhere to consider having more quiet study spaces for postgraduate students while reducing the number of group study spaces. Social implications The results of this study point to a need for libraries and university authorities to periodically review library spaces as a way to ensure their continued optimal usage. They also point to a need for more funds to further enhance the library spaces for postgraduate students’ use. Originality/value South African libraries are faced with challenges including the addition of 15 per cent value added tax to print and online resources. In this environment, libraries are expected by university authorities to demonstrate return on investment. This study, therefore, is located within the realm of determining return on investment for the funds spent by universities to build dedicated postgraduate library spaces. This study will further benefit librarians and the university administrators by helping them to better understand the postgraduate students space needs, as well as the challenges being encountered.

Acknowledgement behaviour of Information Science students of Nigeria’s premier university

“…Among doctoral students of History in University of Oklahoma, Scrivener (2009) observed that only 3.9% of doctoral students mentioned family first. Similarly, Bangani et al (2020) also found that 92% of DAs of North-West University, South Africa were to faculty members and supervisors, followed by 79% to family and friends. However, a contrary observation was made by Mantai and Dowling (2015) in a study of 79 PhD acknowledgements from different Australian universities.…”

“…Hence, many students consider acknowledgements section as very important. Bangani et al (2020) reported that 83% of postgraduate students of North-West University, South Africa considered acknowledgements to be very important to their dissertations.…”

Rethinking academic library space amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa: preparing for the future

“…Therefore, although students may not be able to access the library building in light of the pandemic, the resources are still guaranteed, as most have been digitised. Moreover, Bangani et al (2019) findings show that many students rely more on self-service than assisted-services.…”

“…With the introduction of technology, libraries are flexible enough to migrate to any supporting service. The study by Bangani et al (2019) found that, while postgraduate students frequently visited the libraries to make use of the quiet study spaces, the research commons and the study carrels, they rarely went for the purpose of consulting librarians about their studies. Therefore, although students may not be able to access the library building in light of the pandemic, the resources are still guaranteed, as most have been digitised.…”

Meeting graduate student needs: an exploration of disciplinary differences

“…The needs and preferences of graduate students are of particular interest to librarians and administrators around the world, and a significant number of publications examine efforts to engage this user group both as a whole and within specific areas of an institution (Catalano, 2013;Spezi, 2016;Ince, 2018). Researchers, from small private colleges to large high-research universities, have surveyed graduate students to assess overall awareness of and satisfaction with the library's existing support and determine additional needs (Ameen, 2019;Delaney & Bates, 2018;Kayongo & Helm, 2010), reimagine physical and virtual spaces (Bangani et al, 2019;Beard & Bawden 2012;Rempel et al, 2011), and improve specific services, such as Interlibrary Loan (Posner, 2018). Case studies featured the challenges and successes of programs and workshop series of various lengths designed to orient graduate students to the library and related support services (Budzise-Weaver & Anders, 2016;Critz et al, 2012;Fong, 2019;Fong et al, 2016;Hammons, 2018;Peacemaker & Roseberry, 2017;Smith et al, 2019).…”