Variation of Anxieties among the Arts Undergraduates in Using the Library of University of Peradeniya

Abstract

The study aims to find out the levels of anxieties relating to find information in the library among the Arts undergraduates in the University of Peradeniya. A survey research method wasappliedand 10% from 2nd – 4th year undergraduates in the Faculty of Arts of University of Peradeniya was selected. The sample was 208 and data was collected in July to September, 2015 by using a close ended questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to analyses the data and mean was used to interpret the results of the study. The analysis indicated that all surveyed students are in moderate level of use of information resources in the library. Relating to the difficulties having with use of information resources, third and final years have indicated 38.22 and 38.08 mean level respectively but it is less than the 2nd years mean level. About the use of computer and the internet indicated that 2nd year undergraduates have 30.3 mean level and other are less than that. The difficulties having with library was also measured and it was indicated that all the students who are in the three studying years are in moderate level of anxiety. Out of 55 maximum level, these were indicated 33 mean level. Anxiety regarding the searching for information, second and third years was bit high than the fourth year students and out of 35 maximum level, these two years are in 20.27 and 20.37 respectively. The significant indication was that all these three years are in moderate level for technical barriers (17.99). With regard to topic identification, the second years indicated bit high value than 3rd and 4th years that is 13.25. In conclusion it can be stated that although there is a library orientation program for students, they are still having moderate level of difficulties in using library and when seeking information inside the library. Therefore, library services, awareness, hands on exposures should be increased to minimize their anxiety level in all sort of information seeking and it will increase the use of all kind of information resources in the library.