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Service model for libraries in an agricultural environment with specific reference to the library of the ARC-Small Grain Institute

Dissertation (MIS)--University of Pretoria, 2013.

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Other Authors: Fourie, Ina
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2014
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Fourie, Ina
author_browse Fourie, Ina
author_facet Fourie, Ina
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2013 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MIS)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/37127
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:36:43.511Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2014
publishDateRange 2014
publishDateSort 2014
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/37127 Service model for libraries in an agricultural environment with specific reference to the library of the ARC-Small Grain Institute Fourie, Ina kilianJ@arc.agric.za Kilian, Juliette Information seeking behaviour Agricultural researchers ARC-Small Grain Institute Information needs Skills and competencies UCTD C14/4/58/gm Dissertation (MIS)--University of Pretoria, 2013. This dissertation reports on a study that investigated the functions and services that are rendered at the library of ARC-Small Grain Institute in Bethlehem. The study was directed by the research questions that included the investigation in library services and sources globally; the information seeking behaviour of the patrons of the library as well as the skills and competencies needed by librarians to render an effective service in a constant changing environment. These components served as a foundation for the development of a proposed service model, which reflects the incorporation of the changing roles of librarians in a research library. The current services and sources of the ARC-SGI library were discussed and compared to other libraries. A systematic review of the literature included the information seeking behaviour and information needs of researchers as well as the skills and competencies of librarians. A mixed-method approach, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, has been applied in the study. Data was collected through questionnaires and fifteen semi-structured interviews were held with selected patrons of ARC-SGI. The findings showed that information needs depends mostly on the different stages of research and flows directly from the type of work that they do. Attention was given to preferred source choices and problems experienced during information seeking. Training needs were addressed as well as the needs for additional information needed from the library. Based on the results, the study proposed a service model for an agricultural library. The model displays the library within the setting of an organisation as it supports the mission and vision of the parent organisation. It illustrates all the interdependent components that are essential for a successful agricultural library. The model also outlines the strategies of on-going evaluation and monitoring of the library services; the information needs and information seeking behaviour of the patrons as well as the challenges facing the library. The study concluded by making certain recommendations that can benefit the library of ARC-SGI, which will be an improvement added to the current services. A few suggestions are made for future research, which have definite advantages for an agricultural library within an organisation. Information Science unrestricted 2014-03-19T07:18:47Z 2014-03-19T07:18:47Z 2014 2013 Dissertation Kilian, J 2014, Service model for libraries in an agricultural environment with specific reference to the library of the ARC-Small Grain Institute, MIS dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd<http://hdl.handle.net/2263/37127> http://hdl.handle.net/2263/37127 en © 2013 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle Information seeking behaviour
Agricultural researchers
ARC-Small Grain Institute
Information needs
Skills and competencies
UCTD
C14/4/58/gm
Service model for libraries in an agricultural environment with specific reference to the library of the ARC-Small Grain Institute
title Service model for libraries in an agricultural environment with specific reference to the library of the ARC-Small Grain Institute
title_full Service model for libraries in an agricultural environment with specific reference to the library of the ARC-Small Grain Institute
title_fullStr Service model for libraries in an agricultural environment with specific reference to the library of the ARC-Small Grain Institute
title_full_unstemmed Service model for libraries in an agricultural environment with specific reference to the library of the ARC-Small Grain Institute
title_short Service model for libraries in an agricultural environment with specific reference to the library of the ARC-Small Grain Institute
title_sort service model for libraries in an agricultural environment with specific reference to the library of the arc small grain institute
topic Information seeking behaviour
Agricultural researchers
ARC-Small Grain Institute
Information needs
Skills and competencies
UCTD
C14/4/58/gm
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/37127