Enhancing Academic Support at the University of Guyana Berbice Campus: The Need for a Research & Reference Services Division
Abstract:
University
libraries play a critical and active role in the dissemination and use of
information through its research and reference services. Like other university
libraries, the University of Guyana Berbice Campus Library (UGBCL) does not
have a designated division for this purpose but is expected to provide services
to patrons in this area. Consequently, the overwhelming number of requests for
assistance, mostly placed beyond regular working hours, oftentimes are
unfulfilled, thus presenting a major challenge in terms of adequate service
delivery. Hence, this study seeks to enhance the academic support services at
the University of Guyana Berbice Campus (UGBC) by proposing the establishment
of a Research and Reference Services Division (RRSD) within the Library. It
focuses on evaluating UGBCL current academic support and identifying areas for
enhancement; developing a robust framework for the proposed RRSD; and assessing
the feasibility of establishing the same. The data in these areas was collected
from students, academic and library staff through web-based surveys and
analysed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel applications. From the findings of this
study, there is a need for the establishment of a RRSD, to enhance academic
support. Further, the result from the Chi-Square test revealed no statistically
significant differences in support between the three (3) categories of
respondents (χ²(2) = 2.015, p = .365). This suggested a broad consensus across
the respondents’ categories. The study concluded with recommendations for the
successful establishment of a RRSD at the UGBCL which includes fostering
collaboration with academic divisions, employing qualified staff, among others.
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