Use of Social Networking Sites by the Library Users of the University of Agricultural Science, Dharwad
Keywords:
Library users, Library services, Expectations, Social Networking sites(SNSs), UniversityAbstract
This study explores usage patterns, significance, and challenges of social networking sites (SNS) among the Agricultural University of Dharwad library users. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire, analyzing demographic details and SNS usage through SPSS. Findings reveal that 49.2% of respondents are male and 50.7% female, with 85.7% being students under 25. YouTube (96.8%), WhatsApp (95.2%), and Telegram (92.1%) are the most popular platforms. Notably, 93.6% access these sites multiple times daily, mainly via smart phones (88.8%) from hostels or campus (74.6%). Friends were the primary source of SNS awareness (77.7%). Key motivations for usage include communication (68.3%) and online learning (66.7%). Respondents desire library services through SNSs, like notifications for book returns and new arrivals, but face challenges such as technical issues (60.3%) and privacy concerns. Overall, 57.8% of users find SNSs valuable for information sharing, underscoring their potential to enhance library user engagement.
Keywords: Library users, Library services, Expectations, Social Networking sites(SNSs), University, Dharwad
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