Abstract
Background: An academic library is defined as the heart of a university, providing a venue for students, lecturers and researchers to advance their knowledge and conduct their research. These institutions should provide learning opportunities for all who choose to use them. The materials in the library are for anyone to use, which is why university libraries are important. This study investigated the gap between postgraduate students’ perception and expectations of the main academic library (Cecil Renaud) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal: Pietermaritzburg campus. Objectives: This study’s objective was to determine the gap between the existence of users’ expectations and perceptions of the quality service. Method: This study employed the quantitative research method, with a survey research design. The study population included postgraduate students in the School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal: Pietermaritzburg campus. Results: The services that have a relatively big gap in agreement between expectations and perceptions are: computers that work well, adequate number of computer workstations and an efficient short loan service, and the library helping the user to stay abreast of developments in their field of interest. On the other hand, services that have a small gap are: a library environment that has sufficient lighting; and staff willing to help, who understand the library service need and who are sufficiently knowledgeable. Conclusion: The study found that there was a gap in almost all the services provided by the Cecil Renaud Main library. For example, with the comprehensive collection, there were not adequate print journals and books. In relation to access to information, the major gaps were re-shelving of journals, missing books and journals, and an inefficient short loan and interlibrary loan service.
Highlights
Husain and Nazim (2015:135) state that ‘academic libraries are established to support teaching, learning, research activities and development of a culture of sharing and imparting knowledge to fulfil the mission and objectives of their main institution’
The study found that there was a gap in almost all the services provided by the Cecil Renaud Main (CRM) library
In relation to access to information, the major gaps were that the library was not providing an efficient short loan service and re-shelving of journals
Summary
Husain and Nazim (2015:135) state that ‘academic libraries are established to support teaching, learning, research activities and development of a culture of sharing and imparting knowledge to fulfil the mission and objectives of their main institution’. The standard of services rendered should be able to satisfy the library users, and to ensure the finance of activities which are satisfactory for the existence and development of the university These institutions are supposed to provide learning opportunities for all who choose to take advantage of them. Arshad and Ameen (2010:313) state that the role of libraries in the developed world has progressed merely from a storehouse of books and other physical artifacts to local and remotely-held databases It has been emphasised by Quintal and Phau (2014:90) that it is clear that students are primary stakeholders in global education and their perceptions and behaviour towards the globalised learning environment in either a university’s home or offshore campus are important. An academic library is defined as the heart of a university, providing a venue for students, lecturers and researchers to advance their knowledge and conduct their research These institutions should provide learning opportunities for all who choose to use them. This study investigated the gap between postgraduate students’ perception and expectations of the main academic library (Cecil Renaud) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal: Pietermaritzburg campus
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