Library Anxiety: A Survey on Post-Graduate Students of Pondicherry University, India

Abstract

The study attempts to understand the library anxiety commonly faced by the students of Pondicherry University. The sample of the study consisted of 110 postgraduate student from various departments. The modified scale of library anxiety based on the foundation of Bostick library anxiety scale along with demographic variables was presented to the students. The questionnaire for reliability and internal consistency of the scale was tested. The result of the study indicates that there is no statistical evidence of library anxiety among students of Pondicherry University, be it the first time user (p = 0.47) or an experience user of library (p = 0.38). Also, there is no statistical difference in the means in respect to gender too (p = 0.11). However, students with previous experience of using the library stated their frustration of limited library resources, faceto-face enquiry service, confusing trying to find their way around the library and missing of library book (p = 0.050).