Title
The proposed title for the study is Improving Library Services In A Private School For Boys. This paper will show the different approaches, methods and instruments to be used in order to meet the goals and objectives of the study.
Background of the Study/Literature Review
Historically, the presence of a library and the value of its collection were presumed to satisfy the needs of library users. However, as commercially produced materials became directly available to the public and access to these items became less restricted, the value of library collections based on exclusive access diminished (Balas, 2002). Libraries, like other industries, are now in the process of developing methods and processes to identify and measure their value.
This study sought to answer the question: what are the important features of a method to evaluate and improve university electronic library services? After briefly reviewing library service performance evaluation literature, this paper reports the findings of three LibQUAL+TM surveys (2001, 2002, 2003) and two usability studies (in 2001 and 2003) at the University of New Mexico (UNM).
Until the 1990s, the evaluation of library services consisted of examining the length of time between when a library user began the process to obtain a desired item or piece of information or other library service and the completion of the process (most often determined by whether the requested material was in-hand) (Beeler et al., 1974). Since the 1990s, three influences combined to change library service evaluation. First, the pressure to improve services in the not-for-profit and government sector began to rise. Second, the expectation that libraries would provide the type of traditional service adopted by the business sector increased. Third, the evaluation of library services changed as the types of library services changed.
According to Hernon and Altman (1998), there are two dimensions of library service quality to be measured, content and context. Content refers to the accomplishment of the particular task or goal that prompted the visit to the library. Context covers the actual experience of accomplishing that goal – the people, places, web space, etc. The match between the expectations of the user and the content and context experiences at the library are what constitute service quality from the perspective of the user. If a user's expectations do not parallel library services, there is a noticeable gap. These gaps can be real especially regarding content. The optimal application of the resources available should be made to provide the best content possible.
Aims and Objectives
The main aim of the study is to investigate the process of improving the library services in an all-boys school. In line with this, the following are the specific objectives of the study:
· To define the different measures and aspects which show the quality of services offered by the library;
· To evaluate the different practices applied in the library of the school under investigation; and
· To recommend actions and strategies to be implemented in order to improve the quality of library services.
Methodologies
Descriptive method will be used in the study. According to Creswell (1994) it can help in order to show the different facts that are connected with the nature of the status of the current problem or condition as it happens at the time of the study. This is the reason why, it is considered as one of the most applied methodology in most studies. Furthermore, it will also be helpful in order to offer logical use in the studies which focus on dissemination of information, at the same time, it can help in order to investigate based on normative standards. It will be helpful in order to focus on the practices which exist, beliefs and processes that are currently going on and the effects that are being felt and experienced, together with the trends that re currently developing (Best, 1907).
Sampling
The target population for the study is 100 students and members of the library. In addition librarians will be interviewed.
Data Collection
Survey questionnaire will be used in order to gather primary data from the respondents. Likert scales will be used, where in the respondents will be asked to rate the level of their agreements towards the statements given. This will also be advantageous because it will make filling up questionnaire a lot easier and faster.
The equivalent weights of the answers are:
Range Interpretation
4.50 – 5.00 Strongly Agree
3.50 – 4. 49 Agree
2.50 – 3.49 Uncertain
1.50 – 2.49 Disagree
0.00 – 1.49 Strongly Disagree
Data Analysis
All of the data will be evaluated with the use of SPSS software. Thus, in order to come up with the results and findings of the study, frequency, percentage and weighted mean will be calculated. The following are the formulas to be used:
1. Percentage – will be calculated in order to determine the magnitude of the responses to the questionnaire (Research Methods Knowledge Base, n.d.).
2. Weighted Mean
References
Balas, J.I. (2002), "And what of special collections in the digital library?", Computers in Libraries, Vol. 22 No.4, pp.40-2.
Beeler, M., Grim, J., Herling, J., James, S., Martin, M., Naylor, A. (1974), Measuring the Quality of Library Service: A Handbook, The Scarecrow Press, Metuchen, NJ.
Best, J. W. (1970). Research in Education, 2nd Ed. Englewood Cliffs. N.J.: Prentice Hall, Inc.
Creswell, J.W. (1994). Research design. Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.
Hernon, P., Altman, E. (1998), Assessing Service Quality: Satisfying the Expectations of Library Customers, American Library Association, Chicago, IL.
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