Information Requirements and Information Behaviour Patterns of Faculty at the University Of Ghana, Legon

Abstract

This thesis reports the result of a study of the information requirements and information behaviour patterns of the academic staff of selected faculties of the University of Ghana, Legon. The study also seeks to find out whether or not the professional and paraprofessional staff of the Balme Library are aware of the information needs of faculty and their roles in meeting these needs. Data were collected by using a questionnaire from the sample taken from the Faculties of Arts, Social Studies and Sciences. Some of the questions for the academic staff include, level of awareness of services and resources of the Balme Library; use of the Balme Library; reasons for seeking information; general information sources used; where information sources are sought; type of information sought in the Balme Library, problems encountered whilst seeking information in the Balme Library and suggested measures to ensure effective use of the Balme Library. The questionnaire for the Library Staff included questions on awareness of information needs of academic staff; means by which services and resources were made known to the academic staff and suggestions on ways to make the Library resources known. Some of the findings of the study concerning the academic staff are that, majority of them were aware of the services and resources of the Balme Library but rarely use them. It was also revealed that the academic staff look for information for various reasons and they also use many sources just like their counterparts the world over. They also face various problems including outdated materials, unavailability of materials and inconvenient reading space. It was also found out that all the professional and para-professional staff of the Balme Library are aware that the academic staff have information needs. However, there are no laid down procedures by the Library to make its resources and services known to the academic staff. It was also revealed that the Balme Library does not have any official mechanism in place to understand the information needs of the academic staff. Recommendations made arising from the findings for policy-making include: 1. Academic staff should make known their information needs to the Balme Library. 2. Academic staff are expected to make extensive use of the University of Ghana Online Public Access Catalogue (UGcat) where provisions are made for users’ input for purchase of library materials, suggestions and many other relevant information that are promptly attended to. 3. Academic staff should accept the offer from the Balme Library to serve as Faculty/Departmental Representatives who will liaise between the Faculties/Departments and the Library in developing their sections (or subject areas) of the collection. This will be an important part of the collection building process and will ensure relevance of materials to the academic staff as well as instill confidence in the collection. 4. The Balme Library should acquire the right kinds of resources to aid research, teaching and learning.