Information literacy competency and library seeking behavior of Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod College Students

Abstract

This study was conducted to ascertain the library seeking behavior and information literacy competency of Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B) college students. Furthermore, this study was made to determine if there is a significant difference in the library seeking behavior and information literacy competency of college students in terms of age, gender, year level and user groups. Finally, this research attempted to determine if there is a significant relationship between the two variables. The respondents were the 336 college students of Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod. This was conducted from February 15, 2011 to February 28, 2011. Survey design through questionnaire method was self-administered to collect data. Questionnaire was validated by three panel experts from the field of librarianship. Also, fifteen (15) students from Colegio de San Jose, Iloilo City were subjected to test-retest method of reliability testing, pre-test was given last January 20, 2011 followed by the post test last January 27, 2011. Data gathered were encoded and processed in the version 16.0 of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Data were analyzed using frequency count, percentages, mean, Mann Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Gamma. Result of Gamma was then interpreted using Garrett’s classification of r. Majority of the respondents were aging 19 years and above and were dominated by female students. Since stratified random sampling was applied, division of respondents was equivalent to the percentage of the total number of enrollees per year level and user groups or department of the Second Semester, Academic Year 2010-2011. Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod college students were assessed and result showed that they generally have a “good” library seeking behavior. On the other hand, CSA-B college students possess “high” information literacy competency. The library seeking behavior of CSA-B college students significantly vary when classified according to age, year level and user groups. Similarly, significant difference was seen in the students’ level of information literacy competency in terms of age and user groups. However, gender does not influence both students’ behavior and competency. Similarly, year level was found to have no impact on the students’ library seeking behavior. The study further show that students’ library seeking behavior and information literacy competency were significantly interrelated with each other. As the library seeking behavior of CSA-B college students become better, their information literacy competency becomes higher as well. Thus, it is recommended that teachers especially from College of Engineering must provide or improve library activities that would develop students’ library seeking behavior. Library instruction and orientation is suggested to also be given to third and fourth year students during their research class. Also, a small library at the ECLC extension campus for the College of Nursing students should be provided for their research needs in order to develop their library skills. Further, library programs and activities be implemented and constantly evaluated for effective utilization of the library; distribution of flyers, bulletin board display and creation of trivia questions in the library site; librarians’ attendance to some faculty meetings; sending of new acquisition list in personal electronic mail addresses; providing online library orientation and instruction and strengthening the library committee are the specific recommendations made for the improvement of Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod college students’ library seeking behavior and information literacy competency.