The factors affecting rural library services: a study of rural libraries in Selangor / Salasiah M Said

Information services provision has been applied to assist the rural community in order to enhance their daily life. This study aims to identify the factors affecting the rural library services of the Rural Library under National Library of Malaysia's supervision, in Selangor. This study focused on the staff capabilities in conducting rural library services, use of collections and use of ICT services in two selected rural libraries in Selangor. There are several problems associated with the rural library services such as library staff did not perform their role well, did not provide resources preferred by the community, provide out-of-date collections, services such as multimedia connection are scarce and there was a lack of awareness in rural community about the benefits of using the Internet. The research methodology employed was a case study approach which involved population of two over five zones in Selangor. The library users from two out of seventeen rural libraries which are under National Library of Malaysia's supervision in the Selangor state had been selected as the respondents. The questionnaire had been distributed to a sample size of library users from two rural libraries. This study had been beneficial to the library professions and rural libraries for better planning and implementation to increase the number of rural libraries in Malaysia. This study is also beneficial to the society in order to develop the k-society in order to confront the globalization challenge. The findings indicate: (a) majority of the respondents agreed the staff capabilities in conducting rural library services (mean=4.40); (b) majority of the respondents agreed that rural library provides sufficient and suitable collections to the users (mean=4.28); and (c) majority of the respondents agreed that ICT services is sufficient and should be continued (mean=4.22). Recommendations are made on the need for the better improvement for the efficient and utilization of rural library. Finally, the researcher proposes directions for future research in the area of rural library services development.