Assessment of reference service through model transformation of information and learning commons (ILC) in Jimma University Library System

Abstract

Traditional reference service does not reflect the great diversity of users, their information needs and seeking behavior nor does it reflect changes in information sources and in the management and organization of libraries. The information and learning commons (ILC) have become a focal point and solutions for those challenges and user satisfaction. We examined existing reference service desk utilization in Jimma University Library System JULS, and identified information and learning commons model concepts in order to adopt it. A cross-sectional study was conducted to a sample of 478 library users who were at different academic status in Jimma University (JU). The data were entered and cleaned using a statistical software SPSS version 16.0. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the mean scores of five categories of user’s profession. And, T-test was employed to compare the mean score of current service and perceived service of ILC. The findings of this study revealed that the respondents were relatively more satisfied with perceived benefit or usefulness of transformed service (Mean= 4.123), followed by perceived services of ILC (Mean= 4.030), and neutral by current reference service usage satisfaction (Mean= 2.87). The overall mean score difference between perception of current reference service utilization and ILC services are significantly different at the 5% level (P-value < 0.05). Comparison of satisfaction on current reference service among the five respondents profession/statuses was significantly different at 5% significance level (P-value = 0.025). Comparison of satisfaction on perceived services of ILC among the five respondents statuses are significantly different at the 5% level (P-value = 0.012). The current reference service should be transformed in new service model and the study motivates further research on the topic in other institutions of Ethiopia.