ICML 9

9º World Congress on Health Information and Libraries

Salvador, Bahia - Brazil, September, 20 to 23 - 2005

BVS4

4th Regional Coordination Meeting of the VHL

September, 19 to 20 - 2005

Library of the Carabobo University, Health Sciences Faculty, Aragua Campus (Venezuela): users study

Participants:
Documents:
This research is intended to identify characteristics and needs of users from library belonging to the Carabobo University, Health Science Faculty, Aragua Campus. Following aspects were taken into consideration: a) Frequency of visits; b) Motives for visits; c) Other informative resources employed by users. d) Requested services. Information was taken from a structured questionnaire which was applied to a sample of 156 users of the “António Pérez Romero” library and two libraries associates with this (Teacher assistant library- Central Hospital of Maracay, and Medical Library Dr. Luis A. Moret - Central Hospital José Maria Benitez, La Victoria – Aragua State).  This users were conveniently selected: 92 Medicine students, 60 Bioanalisys students, and 8 nursery students; with ages ranging from 16 to 39 years old; sexual gender 116 female and 39 males. Results reflect that 58% of surveyed students use library service on a daily basis; visits motives are related with borrowing request for bibliographic mat erial (books) 60,6%; 38,6% prefer to access INTERNET services to satisfy their information needs and 22.6% go to other libraries; among most requested services are photocopies (90%) and INTERNET (80%). Based on this results is recommended: a) work on divulgation process oriented to show the library as a tool for create and consolidate knowledge, it lets improve the use of the library, that today is used as an auxiliary of programs study requirements; b) re-defined the library services with implement of new technologies, this adaptations will offer to users a better and faster access to information without hours and space restrictions; c) create a program for give to users a basic formation for work with different information sources, like electronic (data base, CD Rom, DVD) and physic (dictionary, magazine, journal); d) Research about users requirements for adjusts the library services, with the aim to provide a good service.