Use of Library Services by Engineering Faculty at Mississippi State University, a Large Land Grant Institution

Abstract

This study examines library use patterns and information-seeking practices of engineering faculty at a research university. Not surprisingly, the faculty favor accessing journals online but have no preference between print and electronic books. Scholarly communication services, such as data archiving and copyright advisory, are rated as very important support from the library. The faculty value liaison librarians primarily as colleagues who will update them on changes in library policies and budgets for acquisitions. They discover library news and updates via the library’s website, not through social media. The responses from the survey demonstrate that faculty engineers value some information resources and services much more highly than do librarians. Librarians must market better their Libguides, instructional programs, and the professionally constructed specialized databases for which they pay so dearly.

KEYWORDS:

• engineering faculty
• library services
• library liaison
• academic library
• data management