Four types of undergraduate library users, based on their profile of library use, knowledge and perceptions

Abstract

Introduction. This study sought to identify common factors of library use, knowledge and perceptions, and clusters of library users with similar profiles on these factors, reflecting different patterns of library use behaviour. Method. A questionnaire was designed to collect data relating to five aspects of library use, knowledge and perceptions: 1. Library search skills/confidence, 2. Familiarity with and use of library resources, 3. Familiarity with and use of library services, 4. Familiarity with the library organization system, 5. Perceptions of library searching experience. A survey was conducted on a group of undergraduate students in Japan. Analysis. Principal components analysis was applied to identify the principal components of library use/knowledge/perception, while cluster analysis found different user groups with different profiles of library use/knowledge/perception. Results. Four clusters of undergraduate library users were identified as ineffective library users, effective library users, ineffective but positive users, and selfsufficient users.