تطبيق تكنولوجيا المعلومات في المكتبات الجامعية واثرها في تدعيم عملية البحث العلمي المكتبة المركزية في جامعة بابل انموذجاً

Abstract

This paper aims at exploring how far students of higher studies (Masters and PhD) use information technology available in the Babil University's Central Library and the possibility of making use of the library to gather data and information used in a scientific research.To achieve this aim, the researcher surveyed a sample of higher education students of both sexes from different colleges of the university to give a clear picture of how students of higher education make use of resources available in the library and how far these resources meet their academic needs. The paper also examines the challenges faced by the students and proposes solutions to smooth out these challenges and improve services rendered by this library. Descriptive analysis was used and required information was collected by using a questionnaire distributed to a sample of (60) higher education students registered in the library. Main results of the study were:1.Approximately (56%) of students responding to the questionnaire use the library on a weekly basis to make use of its electronic services. They expressed that more services are needed to meet their research needs.2.The study showed that most students (75%) making use of the library were of scientific disciplines by copying CDs and theses, while students of literary disciplines mostly use books, journals and references for their researches.3.The study showed that (75%) of students respondents to the questionnaire used computerized indexing available in the Central Library.Main recommendations of the study include:1.Compliance with the standards used by university libraries including providing adequate furnisher, heating and cooling equipment, comfortable flooring, good lightening, etc. This will prompt increased numbers of higher education students to use the library.2.The Babil University library should be computerized and digitized and add more modern electronic sources of all scientific and human disciplines through subscribing in international websites that ensure modern digital environment.3.Updating the computerized indexing available in the library by addressing the few shortcomings in the indexing system, adding new fields, fixing typos, and providing guidance on how to use the computerizing indexing.