Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
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Pacific Students and Their Perceptions of an Academic Library: a Case Study of Whitireia Community Polytechnic

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posted on 2023-02-23, 01:01 authored by Hinder, Audrey Therese

While more Pacific students are participating in tertiary education, there is little research on the information behaviour of this group in the academic library. As the primary function of the academic library is to support the learning needs of the student community, it is of interest to investigate how Pacific students use libraries and information resources available to them during their course of study.  Using a qualitative case study approach, the aim of this study is to begin to understand Pacific students’ experiences of the library at Whitireia Community Polytechnic. This study investigates how they use the library, their perceptions of the library and how it may contribute to their academic success.  Key findings of this study show that students generally had a positive experience of the library, using it not just as an information centre but also as a cultural centre. The library was a place for them to find information, a place for them to study and a place for them to meet other Pacific students and classmates whom they worked and studied with in the library. Though this group of participants did not feel that there were any significant cultural barriers to their use of the library, the findings reveal some cultural factors that may affect Pacific students’ use of the library.  Though this is a small case study, it provides an understanding of the experience of this group of Pacific students in an academic library. Understanding the information needs and information – seeking behaviour of this group will enable library and academic staff to develop or improve appropriate services so that student learning outcomes may also be improved.

History

Copyright Date

2011-01-01

Date of Award

2011-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Information Studies

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Information Studies

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Masters Research Paper or Project

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of Information Management

Advisors

Smith, Alastair