Did you say Library Anxiety? - Part One :: Essays Papers

Did you say Library Anxiety? - Part oneMost people are familiar with the terms test dread, mathematics anxiety, performance anxiety, computer anxiety, or in time social anxiety. But fictitious character pinnacle subroutine subroutine subroutine program library anxiety and youll likely get a response resembling to, Library what? Library anxiety is not a well-known phenomenon, even among librarians. The bulk of research on library anxiety has concentrated on the problem as it applies to university students, but its not hard to recall that it manifests itself in library patrons across the board. Where did this idea come from, how can librarians determine it, what steps can be taken to reduce it and what can the library community learn from it?Although it has been cited in the literature as far hind end as 1972 , the term library anxiety was first identified in 1986 by Constance A. Mellon. Virtually every article or study on the subject since then has referenced Mellons wor k in this area. Her studies showed that near students felt that other students knew more about library searching than they did and that to beseech for help would be to reveal their stupidity. She also found that contact with reference librarians was more effective in alleviating library anxiety than the bibliographic control sessions conducted by their teachers.There are other names in the line of business such as Carol C. Kuhlthau, who found that students ability to process knowledge from the aspects of mental, creative and physical locating operations is hampered by their feelings, thoughts, and actions. In 1992, Sharon L. Bostick devised a valid and reliable instrument to measure Mellons theory of library anxiety. The basis of her doctoral dissertation, she developed a 43 item, 5 point Likert-format test instrument that defines levels of library anxiety. Her instrument showed that it is possible to identify library anxiety and to measure it quantitatively. She identified fiv e factors that contribute to library anxiety 1) emotional Barriers 2) Mechanical Barriers 3) Comfort with the Library 4) Knowledge of the Library and 5) Barriers with staff. Affective barriers measures the feelings of adequacy when using the library. As we will see, affective barriers come in to play with all of the other factors, each of which will be exposit in greater detail. Mechanical Barriers The ability to locate and use library equipment is hampered by the physical barriers libraries present. Students search for copy machines and upon locating them they learn that they convey specific change to use them, or must purchase a copy card.