Science and Technology Documentation Centers: Status and Services

Abstract

This thesis entitled "Science and Technology Documentation Centers: Status and Services" has been carried out to fulfill the partial requirements for the degree of Master in Library and Information Science. The existing status of the three documentation centers has been taken as the problem of this thesis. The objectives of this thesis are to find out the status of the documentation centers, compare the services rendered by these documentation centers and to find out the users' satisfaction. This study includes collections, service, physical facilities, services, budget of these documentation centers. Related literature has been reviewed in chapter two. The focus of this dissertation has been limited to three science and technology documentation centers, namely Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Nepal Agricultural Research Council and Ministry of Environment documentation centers in chapter three. A simple random sampling method has been employed for sampling purpose. Two sets of questionnaires, for the users and the library staffs, have been used for the collection of data. A survey has been carried out on these documentation centers to explore their status, and services. The time period of this study is from December 2010 to January 2011. A total of 59 questionnaires have been distributed among the users of the documentation centers. 51 questionnaires have been returned by the library users. Additionally, 6 questionnaires have been returned by the library staffs. The information obtained has been tabulated, presented and analyzed in chapter five by means of tabulation, pie chart, and diagram. The greatest numbers of the visitors are the researchers who go to these documentation centers. The most frequently collections which have been used are journals/ periodicals followed by magazines/newsletters. The collections in these documentation centers are 'fairly adequate' as it has been reported by 30% respondents. The two conventional services the largest numbers of respondents (29%) have used are the display of new books followed by abstracting and indexing (19%) and subject and bibliography (13%). The two methods which have been used to locate the information are by self-search (37%) and with the help of staff (42%). The two modern services which have been used by the higher percentages of the users are internet and database in interrelated subjects. Almost half of the total respondents (37%) are not satisfied with these documentation centers as these documentation centers do not have adequate library tools. The needs of the largest number of users are not met by the collection in all documentation centers. Majority of respondents (86%) have replied that the library staffs are helpful. The summary, findings and recommendations have been presented in chapter six. The precise status of these documentation centers differs. They all are related to science, technology and agriculture. They follow the same classification scheme, i.e. DDC. Document loan is provided only to the members of the parent organizations. The documentation centers spend some amount of budget for the management of the documentation centers. Taking into consideration several factors such as budget, management, manpower, users' satisfaction, NAST documentation center is best among these documentation centers. Above all, researchers' needs are not met by these documentation centers. Recruitment of professional manpower and subscription of international journals and databases are major recommendations suggested for the effective delivery of library services.

Sita Devi