Indian Journal of Science
Analysis
International Weekly Journal for Science ISSN 2319 – 7730
EISSN 2319 – 7749
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A Study on Reading Habits of students in University VOC College of Engineering Anna University Thoothukudi Campus Library users Publication History Received: 03 August 2015 Accepted: 25 August 2015 Published: 7 October 2015
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Citation Murugan K. A Study on Reading Habits of students in University VOC College of Engineering Anna University Thoothukudi Campus Library users. Indian Journal of Science, 2015, 21(71), 13-19
A Study on Reading Habits of students in University VOC College of Engineering Anna University Thoothukudi Campus Library users K.Murugan, Librarian, University VOC College of Engineering, Anna University (Thoothukudi Campus), Thoothukudi – 628 008. E-mail:
[email protected] Abstract The present study aims to find out reading habits in University VOC College of Engineering Anna University Thoothukudi Campus Library users. The samples of 166 students selected randomly were studied. Most of the respondents are time spent for reading habits in engineering students in Thoothukudi 85 (51.20%) up to 1 hour, 65(39.16%) of the engineering students are mentioned they are using the get the up to date information, 41(24.70%) are using the Text books and 41 (24.70%) use of printing materials frequently. Keywords Reading Habits, User Study, Information Sources and University VOC College of Engineering Library INTRODUCTION Reading has been the passion of the greatest personalities of all times. Humans have been reading since ages and thus words of knowledge have been passed on through generations. The reading habit influences in the promotion of one’s personal development in particular and social progress in general. Regular and systematic reading sharpens the intellect, refines the emotions, elevates tastes and provides perspectives for one’s living; and thereby prepares a person for an effective participation in the social, religious, cultural and political life. Reading fires the
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imagination of the person. It adds new sight to eyes and new wisdom to mind.
UNIVERSITY VOC COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - PROFILE University VOC College of Engineering, Thoothukudi is one of the constituent engineering college of Anna University, Chennai. The Campus is formed in order to expand the reach and enhance the quality of technical education in the southern part of Tamil Nadu. Located in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. University VOC College of Engineering, Thoothukudi (Anna University – Thoothukudi Campus) is a college for some of the top notch students in the state. At the time of establishment in the year 2009, the Institution has offered 4 undergraduate B.E. Degree programmes and an addition branch in Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering through Tamil as medium of Instruction has been introduced right from the academic year 20102011 and Geo Informatics course introduced in the year 2014-2015. METHODOLOGY The data was collected using the questionnaire method. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed the engineering students and 166 filled in questionnaires were obtained from the respondents. Sufficient time was given to the respondents to furnish the information. Suggestions to improve the library service are also collected from the respondents. The data collected through questionnaire was analyzed with simple percentage and average. DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION: The collected information is tabulated by using statistical method, table and percentage. The data analyses are given below:
Table 1 Volume of the sample Questionnaire Received
Percentage
1
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
40
35
21.08
2
Mechanical Engineering
40
32
19.28
3
Electronics and Communication Engineering
40
35
21.08
4
Civil Engineering
40
30
18.08
15
Questionnaire Distributed
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S.No Department wise
5
Geo-informatics
40
34
20.48
Total
200
166
100.00
The table 1 shows that the volume of distribution and received questionnaire from engineering students. Among the 200 questionnaires were distributed engineering students to UG students. Out of these the responses from the respondents are Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Electronics and Communication Engineering 35 (21.08 %), Geo –Informatics 34 (20.77 % ), Mechanical Engineering 32(19.28%), and Civil Engineering 30 (18.08 % ) from the total sample. Table 2 Gender-wise distribution of Respondents S.No
Gender
No. of Respondents
Percentage
1
Male
95
57.23
2
Female
71
42.77
166
100.00
Total
Table 2 indicates the Gender-wise distribution of respondents. Among them one hundred and sixty six respondents 95 (57.23%) are male whereas seventy one (42.77%) are female. Therefore the number of male respondents is more than the numbers of female respondents. The figure 1 indicated the gender wise distribution of respondents. Table.3
Frequency
No. of Respondents
Percentage
1
Up to 1 Hour
85
51.20
2
1-2 Hour
43
25.90
3
2-3 Hour
38
22.90
166
100.00
Total
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S.No
16
Time Spent for Reading Habits
Table 3 indicates the time spent for reading habits in engineering students in Thoothukudi. Out of 166, 85 (51.20%) up to 1 hour, 38 (22.90%) 1-2 hour 43 (25.90%) and 2-3 hour 38 (22.90%). Table 4 Reason for Reading Habits S.No
Reason for Reading
No. of Respondents
Percentage
1
To get up to date Information To Improve my subject
65
39.16
43
25.90
To prepare University Examination It is my Entertainment
21
12.65
15
9.03
To Improve my General Information
22
13.26
166
100.00
2 3 4 5
Total
The table 4 indicates the reasons for reading habits in students of engineering college. Out of 166 respondents, 65 (39.16%) of the engineering students are mentioned they are using the get the up to date information, To Improve my subject, 43 (25.90% ), To Improve my General Information 22 (13.26%) and few less in the students are indicates there It is my Entertainment is main reason to reading habits. Table.5.
Information Sources Text Books Reference Books Magazines Journals News Papers Previous University Question Papers Total
No. of Respondents 41 39 32 13 34 7
Percentage 24.7 23.5 19.28 7.83 20.48 4.21
166
100.00
Page
S.No 1 2 3 4 5 6
17
Reading Habits use of Information sources
The table 5 indicates the reading habits use of Information sources. Out of 166 respondents, 41 (24.70%) of the engineering students are mentioned they are using the Text books, Reference books, 39 (23.50% ), News Papers 34 (20.48%), Magazines 32 (19.28%), Journals 13 (7.83%) and few less in the students are indicates there Previous University Question Papers main reason to reading habits. Table 6 Use of printing materials for reading S.No
No. of Respondents
Percentage
1
Use of Printing Materials for reading Most Frequently
67
40.37
2
Frequently
41
24.7
3
Occasionally
35
21.08
4
Rarely
23
13.85
166
100
Total
Table 6 reveals that 67 respondents (40.37%) most frequently use of printing materials, whereas 41 respondents (24.70%) use it frequently in the central library. Thirty five respondents (21.08%) use of printing materials occasionally whereas only twenty three respondents (13.85%) are rarely. Table 7.
1
Use of Printing Materials for reading Most Frequently
No. of Respondents
Percentage
53
31.93
2
Frequently
67
40.37
3
Occasionally
32
19.27
4
Rarely
14
8.43
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S.No
18
Staff Support in Library
Total
166
100
Table 7 reveals that 53 respondents (31.93%) mentioned that the library staff in reading most frequently helps them whereas 67 (40.37%) respondents mentioned that they help frequently. 32 respondents (19.27%) mentioned that library staff in reading occasionally helps them whereas fourteen respondents (8.43%) mentioned that rarely help them. CONCLUSION Reading habits makes lot of changes in the world like our lives. Reading habits also is increasingly important in the contemporary environment of rapid technological change in the modern era of Information and Communication Technology. So, the Engineering students are the future of nation and printing materials reading can make them good citizen of the 21st century show that the reading culture is more developed in students. Reference Hopper, R. (2005). What are teenagers reading? Adolescent fiction reading habits and reading choices. Literacy, 39(3) 113-120. Retrieved April 15, 2015 from http://www.blackwellsynergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.14679345.2005.00409.x? Cookie Set=1 McKool, S. S. & Gespass, S. (2009). Does Johnny’s reading teacher love to read? How teachers’ personal reading habits affect instructional practices. Literacy Research and Instruction, 48, 264276. Igun, S. E. & Adogbeji, O. B. (2007). Study habits of postgraduate students in selected Nigerian universities. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved April 15, 2015 from http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/igunadogbeji.pdf Murugan.K “An Analytical Study of Reading Skills among Library Users in Universal College of Engineering and Technology” ISST Journal of Advances in Librarianship, Vol.5 No.2 July.– December 2014, page.No.1-6. Yilmaz, B. (2000). Reading and library usage habits of the students whose mother tongue is
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