TITLE PAGE I
APPROVAL PAGE II
CERTIFICATION PAGE III
DEDICATION IV
TABLE OF CONTENTS V
LIST OF TABLE VI
ABSTRACT
Background of the Study 13
Purpose of study 14
Research questions 14
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER
TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Conceptual Framework Concept of University Library 17
Users of University Library 19
Concept of Library Aesthetics 20
Concept of Influence 31
Concept of Library Patronage 36
Need for adherence of Library Aesthetics 39
Problems Affecting Library Aesthetics Influence on Users’ Patronage 40
Strategies for Enhancing Library Aesthetics influence on users’
patronage 42
Review of the Empirical Studies 45
Summary of
Literature Review 49
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD 51
Design of the Study 51
Area of the Study 51
Population of the Study 52
Sample and Sampling Technique 52
Instrument of Data Collection 53
Validation of Instrument of Data Collection 54
Method of Data Collection 54
Method of Data Analysis 55
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 56
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION
OF FINDINGS, IMPLICATION OF THE
STUDY, RECOMENDATION AND CONCLUSION 75
Discussion of Findings, Recommendations and Conclusion 75
Implications of the Study 84
Recommendations 86
Limitations 86
Suggestions for Further Research 87
Conclusion 87
REFERENCES 88
APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Distribution of Population of the Study 100
Appendix 2: Distribution and Return of questionnaire 101
Appendix 3: Influence of Library Aesthetics on Users’ Patronage Questionnaire 100
Appendix 4: Observation Checklist 107
LIST
OF TABLES
Table
- Retract of the observation checklist on the availability of library aesthetics 56
- Mean rating of responses on the available aesthetic facilities that attract and Fascinate users to patronize the library 57
- Mean rating of responses on the influence of library aesthetics on users’ educational purpose of library use 60
- Responses on the influence of library aesthetics on users’ library service purpose of using the library 62
- Mean rating of respondents on the influence of library aesthetics on users’ social and entertainment interest of library use 64
- Response on library users’ perception on the influence of library aesthetics facilities and design features 66
- Mean rating of responses on the impressions users’ have on the aesthetic consideration on the design of the library 68
- Mean rating of responses on the problems affecting library aesthetics in SEN university libraries 70
- Responses on the strategies of enhancing the library aesthetics in SEN university libraries 72
Abstract
This study was
designed to investigate the influence of library aesthetics on users’ patronage
of federal university libraries in South-East Nigeria. The study was carried
out as a result of the decline in university library patronage; which could be
attributed to the influence of internet on access and retrieval of information
resources and the emergence of various information providers. Descriptive
survey research design was employed for the study. The population consisted of
twenty-four thousand, two hundred and sixty three (24,263) registered library
users. The sample size was three hundred and eighty-eight (388). Eight specific
objectives and research questions guided the study. Sixty- eight items
questionnaire titled Influence of Library Aesthetes on Users’ Patronage
Questionnaire (ILAUPQ) was used for instrument for data collection. Observation
checklist was also adopted in finding out the available library aesthetics
facilities in the libraries. Mean scores and standard deviation were used to
analyze the data. Findings derived from the observation checklist were
discussed in the interpretation of table. The results of data analyzed revealed
that: available library aesthetics
facilities such as; ventilation, signage, lightning, art drawing; interior and
exterior decoration attracts and fascinates users to patronize the library;
library aesthetics influences users’ educational purpose of library patronage;
users’ library services consultation are being influenced by library aesthetics;
there are few social library aesthetics facilities to influence users to
frequently patronize the library for social and entertainment activities; users’ perception of library aesthetics and design features influences their
patronage; the aesthetic considerations embedded on the design of the library
were regarded very impressive, attractive inspiring and desirable for library
use by library users; the major problems affecting library aesthetics influence
on users’ patronage are: lack of or poor maintenance, non refurbishment and
renovation of the libraries, use of inferior and substandard materials amongst
others; and
the strategies to enhance library aesthetics influence of
users’ patronage are use of standard aesthetic materials in library
construction; proper maintenance of the aesthetics facilities, and aesthetic
consideration in the design of the library. Respondents affirmed that these
strategies are applicable to enhancing library aesthetics. The degree of
influence of library aesthetics on users’ patronage is on “agree” level. It is
based on the above findings that the following recommendations were made: the
library building should be renovated and refurbished aesthetically to appeal to
the taste and attraction of users; aesthetic consideration should be
implemented in designing new library buildings or renovation of old ones; proper
measures for maintenance of the library aesthetics facilities should be adopted;
adequate fund should be allocated to beautify the library; standard and modern
library aesthetics facilities should be put in place in the library, and
finally, the library aesthetics should be used as a marketing gimmick to earn
frequent users’ patronage.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Library aesthetics is a tool that
could be harnessed to attract users to frequently visit the library to make use
of information resources, consult library services and engage in other social
and recreational activities. There is need to find out if the look of the
library could have influence on users’ library patronage in academic
institutions.
An academic library is
the central nervous system of a tertiary institution. They are established with
the prime objective to provide information resources and information services
to back up her academic programmes. It is the hub or centre of information resources
and information services for members of the tertiary institution. An academic
library is the principal agent of the tertiary institution in the conservation
and dissemination of knowledge. Proper fulfillment of these roles by academic libraries
provides sound basis for the transmission and advancement of knowledge. Freeman
(2005) opined that academic libraries significantly serves as the principal
building on academic campuses where one can truly experience and benefit from the
centrality of the institutions’ intellectual community. For these
responsibilities saddled on the academic library, Oyewumi, Oladapo & Adegun
(2013) categorically stated that the
academic health, intellectual vitality and effectiveness of these educational
institutions in producing high quality graduates for the labour market depend
largely on the quality of information resources available in their libraries.
According to Mason (2010) an academic library has the mission
to build and maintain a collection that will support and enhance the
instructional needs of the institution. Academic libraries are categorised into
three, namely: university libraries, polytechnic libraries and colleges of
education libraries.
A university library is
established to carry the onus of providing and making accessible information
resources of various mediums to members of the university community who are the
library users; and to provide effective and efficient information services to
enhance their information needs. The university library is a service
institution that exists in order to enable users to make the most effective use
of the resources and services (Ofodile & Ifijeh, 2013). The university library
is the heart and lifeline of the learning environment for fostering lifelong
learning. A university library by her nature is expected to acquire, process
into retrievable form, and make available the much needed information in the
academic community and the public at large who may require them for their
various teaching and research activities (Popoola, 2008). As Huake and Werner
(2013, p.1) affirmed that “libraries as gateways for knowledge are particularly
responsible not only for disseminating the idea of sustainability but also for
leading by example and thus serving as exemplars.” The information needs of the
university library users are dependent on the professional efficiency of the
university library in offering effective library services and making their relevant
information resources (manual, digital and electronic) available and accessible
at the time of need. The university library supports the users (academic staff,
researchers and students) in their research and learning activities; therefore
it is her onus to grant them access to information materials and services of
the library.
University library users’ are those who visit the library to make use of
her reading and studying space; consult and utilize its collections, patronize the
various services offered by the library and also engage in other social
activities. The library users are a composite of members of the tertiary
institutions that owns the library. The users include: undergraduate students,
postgraduates students, academic and non academic staff of the parents
institution, the university alumni members and members of the institutions’
community. Library users are the
rationale behind the establishment of university libraries; because satisfying
their various information needs is the priority and onus of university library
staff. The term “user” encompasses various terms such as: patrons;
clientele, client, information users, information seekers, consumers, readers
etc; thus the term can be used interchangeably (Anyira, 2011).
Users’ patronage of the services
the university library offers and their frequent visitation to the library
justifies the essence of establishing the university library and the huge fund
being allocated to the library by the parent institution. Suffice it to state
that without the users the library existence is worthless, there would be no
justification of the huge fund being allocated yearly to the library. Users
come to the library with various needs having optimistic expectation to have
them satisfied by the library staff. Harbo and Hansen (2012) categorically stated
that on
the other hand we are not always certain of the needs of our users. If
libraries want to improve the way they serve their users’ needs, they must
innovate their services, facilities and courses by building upon what you could
call ‘user logic’ and not upon classical ‘library logic’.” ‘User logic’ is that
which is meaningful for the user instead of what is traditionally meaningful
for a library.
At the design stage of
the library, aesthetics and beauty features should be given much consideration
to attract frequent users’ patronage. According to Nwalo (2003) the library
user is undisputedly the most important person in any library setting. He went
further to define the library user as anybody who visits the library with the
purpose of exploiting its resources to satisfy his/her information need. In his
view, Aina (2004) sees the term “user” to include all those who avail
themselves the services offered by a library. He further stated that the
library user is the focal point to the 21st century library and information
services, as the library primarily exist to satisfy the user. For too long, we
have expected students to visit the library because they have to, without
making an effort to make their experiences satisfying and productive (Fawley
2012).
Library users
deserve conducive, comfortable and convivial learning and studying space that
is aesthetical, tasteful and appealing. A space that makes them convenient,
relaxed (in fact inducing in the feeling of home away from home) and
entertained during patronage. Users’ library visit or patronage is very essential
to sustain the university library existence. The physical library building
serves as the centre of information services and source for the library users. Oyedum (2011)
opined that for effective use of university libraries to be achieved, they
should not only provide and preserve information materials for all categories
of users but should endeavour to keep the reading environment inviting and
attractive. University library users on daily basis
visit the library building for various educational purposes (research, reading,
group discussion, doing of assignment etc); to consult the library services and
also for social and entertainment activities. The library building houses the
library collections and the library staff.
Library buildings are
significant and plays important role in attracting users to the library. The
design and look of the library building could determine users’ convenience in
patronizing the library. As a “temple of scholarship,” the library
building as a place assumed an almost sanctified role, reflected both in its
architecture and in its sitting (Freeman, 2005). A place that performs such
services and roles in a university community should be an edifice that is
conducive and comfortable to users. It should be a building or place where
users can feel at ease when using it; as it provides them with a sense of
security because users of university libraries spend considerable hours in the
library building reading, browsing, researching and studying, leisure and social
activities. Therefore, the library ought to be a building that takes users’
needs uppermost in its design and construction (Ibrahim and Sokiyo, 2015).
The design of the
library building is significant to attracting frequent library usage. Great
design embedded on the library building plays important role in fascinating
users’ interest to frequently patronize the library; more so in this digital
age or digital information environment, where information is accessible at any
place and time. Knirk (1999) stated that “a well designed library building will
support its users by addressing a broad spectrum of issues that include
occupant issues such as comfortable environment; adequate lighting, temperature
and noise control”. The design of the library building should be embodied with
aesthetic considerations that appeals to the taste of library users. Naser
(2016) noted that Jerry Gager an AU architect stated that “it is difficult to
overestimate the importance of a university’s positive use of physical space.
The combination of innovative well-designed building and equally prepared
grounds adds to a user’s academic experience at the university and it’s
beneficial to all the community populace”. Suffice it to relate this to the users’
perception of an aesthetically designed library with library aesthetics
facilities put in place with aim to enhance users’ aesthetics experience.
Library aesthetics entails creating a beautiful library
that is classy, adoring and tasteful for the users. Library aesthetics is the
philosophy of beauty, design features of the library or more broadly as that
together with the philosophy of art.
Library aesthetics is an important aspect of library design and look.
The aesthetical look of the library is a strategy of making users’ visit
memorable and inspiring. Library aesthetics covers questions such as; what is beauty?
What makes the library beautiful? Even though beauty is not a subject which
attracts uniformity of opinion, but definitely, the look of the library does
matter. Therefore, academic libraries could learn and redefine their library
aesthetics and design features based on this notion. Jack (2004) noted that in
recent years, design has emerged even more as a hot topic, and libraries that
break a new ground aesthetically draw a great deal of attention in professional
publications as well in the mainstream press.
She went further noting that attention has been paid to the notion that
library buildings can affect their user, and many recent articles described new
and redesigned libraries focus on the feelings the buildings invoke in the
patrons.
Library aesthetics entail creating a
library user friendly environment; it has to do with the furnishing,
beautification and exhibition of the library. Ugwuanyi, Okwor & Ezeji
(2011) stated that aesthetics is
an important factor in the library building. New library buildings should pay
attention to the expression of beauty as representing knowledge and culture.
This idea is shown in the combination of such aspect as exterior look, interior
layout, artistic design and natural environment; these make the library
environment attractive and inviting to users. University library requires physical
facilities as part of its design and decoration. Oyedum (2011) identified physical
facilities as one of the environmental factors that could influence the
students’ use of library. He further noted that university libraries are
expected to provide conducive reading chairs and tables as well as bright
lighting system in order to encourage and enhance learning and research. According to Ibrahim & Sokiyo (2015) aesthetics facilities are
those items in academic libraries that add to the beauty and attractiveness of
library usage in terms of indoor and outdoor environment, such as good
landscaping; colour, interior decoration, lightning, ventilation, temperature
and signage/direction.
The library building design determines and influences users’ impression,
perception and appreciation of the library, in a manner that attracts and
fascinates them to frequently patronize the library. For this reason, Fawley
(2012) stated that great design, clear signage, and a focused identity can do
so much to make a library users’ visit satisfactory. She further noted that
creating safe and clean environment that is easy to navigate with well-designed
spaces and clear and concise signage is something that can done on a small or
large budget. Paying attention to your library’s appearance can go a long way
to enhance a patrons’ experience.
It is important to pay attention to the
experience (positive or negative) users have when they visit the library. It serves
as determinant factor of users’ reliance on the library for their information
needs. Academic library users’ aesthetics experience has to do with the
experiences that they engage with art and beauty of the library (King, 2006).
It is difficult to dismiss concerns about appearance as frivolous; we daily
make decisions based on how something or someone looks. Although the aesthetics
of a library cannot be separated from its function, one can look at the reading
rooms much more like one can look at art installations (Dominiczak, 2014). Aesthetic appearance of a phenomenon attracts
attention, therefore the university library should create user friendly
environment, full of glamour and splendour that attracts the patronage of the
users’ community. LaGuardia (2013) confirmed that libraries now built or
renovated are changing their spaces to suit actual user needs, as well as the
needs of the library to do its work (aesthetics and functionality). That is the
aesthetics (design and beauty) that would obviously have impact on the quantity
and quality of user patronage and utilizations.
Library aesthetics is considered to centre on the above latter-day
developments and attractiveness of the library structure. McDonald (2006)
stated that an increasing diversity of imaginative new academic libraries are
being constructed around the world; that successfully combines exciting
architectural expression, inspiring internal spaces and good functionality. He
recommended that library managers must have strong vision for the new library
and this should inspire design of the whole library building. The aesthetics
(beauty, glamour, attractiveness, conspicuousness, decoration and design) of
the library should be fascinating to the user like in the gallery. Lushinton
(2002) noted that individuals use libraries, and as such libraries should be
designed with individuals in mind, and with widest spectrum of taste. There is
need to reduce barriers to the library user on patronage such as bad design of
facilities and buildings. Clee and Macquire (1993) noted that the total
environment is made up of many different factors and that anyone of these
factors could potentially influence the users’ perception of the library
patronage. To enhance users’ aesthetic experience, they recommended better
building, better lightning, and fresher atmosphere, more seating and quieter
library (acoustics).
Generally, the
traditional interest of beauty or aesthetics itself broadened in the 18th
century to include sublime. Since 1950, the number of pure aesthetics concepts
discussed in the literature has expanded even more. Even though, Zangwill
(2014) argued that “the 20th century was not kind to the notions of beauty
or the aesthetic” as beauty itself embodies qualities of both the
beautiful and the ugly. The term or concept “aesthetics” was first used by a
German Philosopher called Alexander Baumgartner. It refers to those principles
governing the nature and appreciation of beauty. Aesthetic deals with appearance
in a beautiful and attractive nature. It deals with the subconscious feeling of
admiration of the look and presentation of a phenomenon. Aesthetics Kurraz
(2016) stated that aesthetics is one of the most openly creative and flexible
human theories that study the aesthetic values of beauty and taste. He further
stated that the aesthetic images and artistic structures of beauty in
literature emerge between the recipient and the aesthetic space that embraces
the aesthetic values and aesthetic experience. Aesthetics is a concept that relates to the beauty in both
nature and art, as something that enlivens or invigorates both body and mind,
awakening the senses (Cawthon and Moere, 2007). Aesthetics needs to be embedded
not only on the library building, but also on the library physical environment
or surrounding to invigorate positive perception of users on the library in
order to earn their frequent patronage.
The university library surrounding or physical
environment plays important role in stimulating users’ special interest on the
university library by considering her as one of the best places to spend the
day in the university. Affirmatively, Amusa and Iyoro (2013) averred that the
design of a library can influence users’ behaviour and satisfaction; in the
same way that the physical environment and organisation of a library can. Library
environment ought to be a favourable or positive influence on the objectives of
establishing the library. Ogbonna and Okenyi (2006) noted that the environment
of academic libraries have undergone changes resulting from lack of financial
resources, poor architectural designs, climatic conditions and the rising wave
of technologies. They went further to note that the environment of the library
has moved from the aesthetic beauty, the architectural designs etc, to the
development and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the
organisation of libraries. Okiilu and Otike (2016, p.10) stress that the “environmental
ambiance is considered important. This includes anything that may impact on any
of the five senses of sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. It includes
landscape, architecture, interior layout and decor; lighting, air quality and
temperatures, and human relationships and interactions.”
The university library environment ought to be a convivial and welcoming
space to the library users. A space designed to motivate the information,
teaching, research and learning seeking behaviour of the users. The environment
of the library should be space that prioritises the taste and desirability of
users. For this reason, San
