Information needs, perceptions and quests of law faculty in the digital era
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-11-2012-0152 |
| Pages | 659-669 |
| Published date | 30 September 2014 |
| Date | 30 September 2014 |
| Author | Atul Ashokbhai Bhatt |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology |
Information needs, perceptions
and quests of law faculty in the
digital era
Atul Ashokbhai Bhatt
Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the law faculty members’ information needs and
seeking behaviour to provide library resources and services in a better way. Libraries play a very
important role in supporting legal education and legal research. The past decade has brought about a
sea of change in the relationship between library and user. Information technology enabled new
products and services, and the availability of online information resources has changed the provision of
services in legal academic institutions. In this context, library professionals working in a legal academic
library are required to have a sound knowledge of the information needs, perceptions and
information-seeking behaviour of legal academicians and users to ensure solid collection development,
to provide effective library services and to satisfy the needs of library users. Librarians are
professionally committed to update a core, qualitative and need-based collection for the optimum
utilization of the resources for the greater satisfaction of the user community.
Design/methodology/approach – This study used questionnaire-based survey methods. A
questionnaire was designed and administered to the law faculty to investigate the information-seeking
behaviour at the Institute of Law, Nirma University (ILNU). The study is limited to faculty members of
ILNU. Data were collected through the surveys based on a well-structured questionnaire and personal
interviews. An in-depth literature search on topics related to the research work was also carried out.
Findings – The results of this research showed that law faculty members used a range of information
sources to pursue their teaching, research and academic work. When they use print resources, many
respondents preferred books/reference books, law reports, statutes and journals. The study also
revealed that a number of respondents preferred to use Information and Communication
Technology-based library resources in comparison to print resources, with most of them stating that
they have very good computing skills. This use may be due to availability, advancement and promotion
of legal e-resources. HeinOnline is the most preferred online database, followed by Westlaw India and
Manupatra. It is also noted that most of the faculty members have reported that Internet-based items are
preferred over conventional documents for teaching and that the Internet has expedited the research
process; thus, overall dependency on Internet access has increased.
Practical implications – The ndings of the paper will help library and information science
practitioners working in academic law libraries to address the key factors which inuence users’
intention to seek information and to intensify their performance to meet user needs and perceptions.
Results will also be useful to them in collection development.
Originality/value – The paper is relevant and useful to those who are interested to know the trends of
information needs and determine the information-seeking behaviour and users’ perceptions for library
resources of legal professionals. This study is also useful to librarians who are professionally committed
to update a core, qualitative and need-based collection for the optimum utilization of the resources for
the greater satisfaction of the user community.
Keywords Information, Information research, Academic libraries, Information dissemination
Paper type Case study
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www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
Law faculty in
the digital era
659
Received 22 November 2012
Accepted 2 January 2013
The Electronic Library
Vol. 32 No. 5, 2014
pp. 659-669
© Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/EL-11-2012-0152
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