CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The primordial purpose of carrying out this research is to investigate how do the facilities
in the library help to accommodate the students of Kedah Matriculation College in their
study. The research is done at the library of Kedah Matriculation College and the
respondents were also the students from this college.
Most of the students of Kedah Matriculation College used the library daily and the library
itself has its own facilities. Therefore, we would like to know how do the facilities
interrelated to the study process of the students and how do they help the students.
Based on the research by The Society of College, National and University Libraries
(SCONUL), The library is not just a repository, or a service like any other, or a place for
study: it is all these things. It can also be a partner in research and in teaching, and
institutions which fail to capitalise fully on this asset will find it harder to compete in the
future.
According to SCONUL, there are a few reasons to value academic libraries. One of them
is because the library continues to fulfil its role as the heart of the university, despite the
move away from print and towards electronic resources. The work the library undertakes
contributes directly to the institutions academic mission and to equipping students with
the skills and knowledge they need to achieve academically and to maximise their
employability.
Besides that, the library is much more than a passive repository for knowledge. For the
undergraduate, the library as a place, and the library as a service are central to their
experience of university. The library represents an important point of continuity for
students during their time at university as does their relationship with its staff. This
growing understanding of the role of the librarian as a student advisor is now helping to
drive convergence between the library and support services within HEIs.
Other than that, despite the move to e-resources, students are visiting their university
library more often and spending more time when they do. Particularly in the arts and
humanities, undergraduates may well spend more time with their librarian than with their
lecturer. That time is spent supporting students to become self-directed learners.
In addition, the quality of the library is more important even than teaching contact time
for prospective students considering which university to attend. Satisfaction with library
services was in the top ten (8th) of factors that prospective students would consider when
deciding which university to apply for.
Emerging UK evidence also suggests that universities which succeed in engaging students
to use library resources are rewarded with higher academic outcomes among those
students . Comparable research in South Africa and the US has given similar results. This
can also be applied to our local universities and academies.
Hence, this study is an attempt to find out the how the library interrelated to their study.
The following section provides a discussion on how do the facilities in the library helps to
accommodate students in their study. This is followed by a discussion on the
methodology utilized in this study and a discussion on the findings.
1.1.1
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of carrying out this study is to find out how do facilities in the library
help to accommodate student in their study. Therefore, our aim while carrying out this
study is to know how in helps students in studies.
This study also helps us to find out whether the books in the library are suitable for
their studies, This is important because student will be depending on the library as the
source of information and knowledge. Therefore, if the library owns unnecessary
books, it would be a waste and a disadvantage for the students. By carrying out this
study, we will be able to figure this out.
Besides that, we are able to determine whether the sources in the library is enough as
references for the students to study. The library might have less books which are
related to the syllabus. This will causes difficulties to the students who doesnt own
any revision books. Through this research we are able to know the condition of the
books.
Other than that, we would know what kind of improvements would the students like
to see on the facilities of the library. After being able to find out what is the library
lacking, we are able to find out what does the student wants to have in the library
which could enhance the library into the next level. By doing this research, we are
able to find out this.
1.1.2
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The facilities of the library is important to accommodate students of Kedah
Matriculation College in their study. Most of the students here often visits the library
to study. Therefore, we carried out this research to find out how it helps students in
their study.
When the facilities of the library are not in a good condition, it will affect their daily
studying routine. This happens to the students that depends on the library itself for
their study. When the students had to face this problem they will be having difficulties
as it wont be so comfortable for them to stay there. Most of the students who depends
fully on the library spends at least 3 hours in the library a day. Normally theyll spend
up to 5 hours a day.
Moreover, having lack of facilities is also one of the main problems. Sometimes the
library only owns unnecessary facilities which are rarely being used by students.
Thus, the students who study and spend their time in the library might be having this
disadvantage. Our research is done to determine and help to solve these problems.
1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main focus of this research is to:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Identify how the facilities of the library help students in their study
Find out whether the books in the library are suitable for their study
Determine whether the sources in the library is enough as references for their study
Find what kind of improvements that the students would like to see on the facilities of
the library
1.3 QUESTIONS OF THE STUDY
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
How do the facilities of the library help students in their study?
Does the books in the library suitable for their study?
Does the sources in the library enough as references for their study?
What kind of improvements that the students would like to see on the facilities of the
library?
1.4 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
i.
College - an institution of higher learning, especially one providing a general or
liberal arts education rather than technical or professional training.
(Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/college?s=t)
ii.
Lecturers - an academic rank given in colleges and universities to a teacher ranking
below assistant professor.
(Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lecturer?s=t)
iii.
Library - a place set apart to contain books, periodicals, and other material for
reading, viewing, listening, study, or reference, as a room, set of rooms, or building
where books may be read or borrowed.
(Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/library?s=t)
iv.
Research - diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to
discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc.
(Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/researcher?s=t)
v.
Respondent - a person who responds or makes reply.
(Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/respondent?s=t)
vi.
Student - a person formally engaged in learning, especially one enrolled in a school or
college; pupil
(Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/student?s=t)
vii.
Undergraduate - a student in a university or college who has not received a first,
especially a bachelor's, degree
(Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/undergraduate?s=t)
