An Evaluation of Periodical Management System with Regard to Collection Strength and Usage of Journals by users of Science and Management Faculty at TUCL

摘要

This study entitled “An evaluation of Periodical Management System with regard to Collection Strength and Usage of Journals by Users of Science and Management Faculty at TUCL” is carried out to evaluate the periodical management system and analyze the usage of journals by users of Tribhuvan University Central Library. The entire study is divided into six chapters namely i. Introduction. ii .Review of Literature, iii. Focus of Study. iv. Methodology. v. Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation. and vi. Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation. The first chapter as introduction has explained the history and origin of periodicals, development of periodical during the 20th century, meaning and definition of periodicals, types of periodicals, characteristics of periodicals, selection of Periodicals, Selection Tools of Periodicals, Acquisition of Periodicals, Payment procedures, methods of recording the receipt of periodicals, display of periodicals, completion of volume, accessioning, classification and cataloguing. Brief Description on Periodical Section. In addition, description on Statement of Problems includes the following problems: a. Increasing subscription cost of periodicals. b. Budgetary constraints. c. Gap in periodical receipt. d. Misplace of periodicals. e. Binding problem. f. Tearing of pages from journals. g. Lack ofudadequate furniture. h. Lack of space. The objectives of this study are to: udi. Explore the total number of periodicals available in TUCL for Science and Management Faculty. udii. Find out how the periodical are organized in TUCL. udiii. Find out users’ preference on print vs. electronic journals. udiv. Find out satisfaction of users about the adequacy of journals for Science and Management Faculty. udv. Recommend the appropriate periodical management system based on the suggestion of users. The scope of this study is limited to finding about the availability of total number of periodicals on Science and Management in TUCL only, portrays the collection strength of journals, and describes the organization and management of scientific journals only and does not include the daily newspaper, magazine. The significance of this study lies in the management of journals, finding out the collection strength of journals and finally it helps to know about users’ satisfaction about availability and adequacy of journals in TUCL.udVI. The study includes the terminology in order to explain the words and phrases that deals with library and information science, which are also included in this research. The Review of Literature section includes 10 literatures that are consulted for preparation of this study. These literatures are reviewed because these are relevant to this study as they document about various methods of periodical management system in different academic libraries of different countries.ududThe section “Focus of Study” is focused on explaining about the description of periodical section of TUCL with information about its activities regarding responsibilities, reader services, additional activities, creation of database, and detail record of periodicals on Science and Management Faculty. The study applies descriptive method and it is questionnaire-based data gathering survey containing 19 questions. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed to the students of Science and Management faculty of Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur Campus, of which 69 responses were obtained with differing number of questionnaires attempted. The analysis and evaluation of the study is based on the responses received from them. Out of 69 responses analyzed, 39 (56.52%) respondents were from Science and 30 (43.48%) from Management faculty. Out of 57 respondents, 31 (54.38%) (Sci 18, Mgmt 13) opined the holdings (availability) of periodicals is satisfactory, 19 (33.33%) (Sci 13, Mgmt 6) indicated “Inadequate”. Out of 59 respondents, majority of respondents (34) (57.62%) (Sci 18, Mgmt 16), responded that they were able to find the periodicals for consulting. On the question “what they do to locate the information in eriodicals?”. Out of 59, 26 respondents (44.06%) (Sci 18, Mgmt, 8) consulted catalogues, 22 (22.02%) respondents (Sci 8, Mgmt 5) searched directly on display rack, 5 (8.47%) respondents (Sci 2, Mgmt 3) consulted or approached librarian for finding the information from periodicals. On the question of selecting their choice of periodical format, 28 respondents (Sci 17, Mgmt 11) preferred the print version (hardcopy) of periodicals, just 2 respondents from science faculty preferred their choice of periodical format as electronic. However, as many as 27 respondents (Sci 17, Mgmt 5) indicated their choice of periodical format of both the formats (print and electronic version). On the question to “rate the usefulness of periodicals, out of 69, 30 respondents (Sci 19, Mgmt 11) rated the periodicals of current year as "most" useful, 28 respondents (Sci 17, Mgmt 11) rated theudVII periodicals of last two years as "more" useful, 14 respondents’ (Sci 5, Mgmt 9) ratings on periodicals of last 5-10 years as "less" useful, and 17 (Sci 10, Mgmt 7) (24.63%) rated the periodicals of last 10 years and beyond are "least" useful.udOn the organization/display of periodicals, 30 (50%) respondents (Sci 23, Mgmt 7) remarked on “lack of recent issues of periodicals on display racks, each 14 (23.33%) respondents (Sci 6, Mgmt 8) showed remarks on "good" and "not in proper order" and 2 respondents from management faculty opined the journal display as "bad". Four out of 61 respondents responded that they were able to find the journal/articles "immediately" and none of respondents from science faculty responded on this variable. 31 (Sci 24, Mgmt 7) (50.81%) respondents were able to find the journal/articles "occasionally", 16 (Sci 10, Mgmt 6) respondents responded "not in time of need" Only 10 (Sci 3, Mgmt 7) (16.39%)udrespondents remarked that they were able to find the journal/articles "soon". On the question “are you happy with the organization of periodicals”, out of 63 respondents, 30 (Sci 19, Mgmt 11) (47.61%) responded that they were satisfied (happy) with the organization of periodicals. 33 respondents (Sci 19, Mgmt 14) (30.15%) opined "No". Evaluation of journals usage is a difficult but necessary task considering the wide range of choices available. Limited funding and space, as well as other factors, influence the need for a carefully planned strategy of journal selection. In order to enhance the use of collection, the following effective strategies have to be carried out. 1. Effective orientation program should be carried out by involving as many students as possible and more time should be offered for the program so that students get more familiarized. 2. In the selection of periodicals, students' opinion should be sought or suggestions box shouldudbe kept. 3. Periodical section should place the periodicals in Display room soon after the completion of processing work and continue keeping vigilance to ensure the recent periodicals are on display. 4. A computer with Internet access should be in the Periodical section for user access. 5. Based on usability, frequency of use, the backdated volume of journals should be considered for withdrawal from the stack and should be planned for retention in space-saving manner. 6. TUCL should consider re-organizing the periodicals by following the scientific management system so that users could be better served. 7. Front desk service should be made available in Periodical Display room.ud