Purpose

The study aimed to investigate public library users' most frequent and least frequent activities in the library and demographic differences in the use of public libraries. The study also explored library users' perceived importance of library resources, services and the value of the library as a place.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research design and survey research method were used to achieve the objectives of the study. A multistage sampling technique was employed to approach the targeted population. At the first stage, ten functional libraries of Lahore were selected purposively. The targeted population was users of the ten public libraries of the Punjab, Lahore. At the second stage, convenience sampling was used to collect data from public library users. The instrument of the research study was the questionnaire and it was developed with the help of the literature and administrated personally. The questionnaire was distributed to 384 public library users of the Lahore district and 301 questionnaires were returned out of 384.

Findings

The results of the study showed that library users frequently visited the library for reading personal books and examination preparation; however, they never or rarely used e-databases, photocopy and printer services, computer stations, the internet, library catalog and socialization with friends. Significant differences were found among public library users in their public library use on the basis of gender, age, designation and academic qualification. The library collection played a very important role in developing the community's reading habits, supporting academic achievements and self-grooming.

Practical implications

The results of the study suggest that public librarians can expand library reading halls space and provide a comfortable reading environment for the users. Library community programs are helpful in lifelong learning; therefore, the library should organize community programs (i.e. storytelling sessions, workshops and interactive sessions) for their users. Public libraries can strengthen their services by considering demographic differences in public library use.

Originality/value

The study is valuable as it will examine the public libraries' use, demographic differences in use and users' perceived importance of library resources, service and place in Pakistani context. Very few studies investigated gender differences in public library; however, this study's findings will contribute to knowledge by examining various demographic differences in library use.

中文翻译：

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公共图书馆使用、图书馆使用的人口统计学差异以及用户对图书馆资源、服务和地点的看法

目的

该研究旨在调查公共图书馆用户在图书馆最频繁和最不频繁的活动以及使用公共图书馆的人口统计学差异。该研究还探讨了图书馆用户对图书馆资源、服务的重要性以及图书馆作为一个场所的价值的认知。

设计/方法/方法

采用定量研究设计和调查研究方法来实现研究目标。采用多阶段抽样技术来接近目标人群。第一阶段，有目的地选择了拉合尔的十个功能库。目标人群是拉合尔旁遮普省 10 个公共图书馆的用户。在第二阶段，便利抽样用于从公共图书馆用户那里收集数据。调查研究的工具是问卷，它是在文献的帮助下开发并个人管理的。问卷分发给拉合尔地区的 384 名公共图书馆用户，回收 384 份问卷中的 301 份。

发现

研究结果表明，图书馆用户经常到图书馆阅读个人书籍和备考；然而，他们从未或很少使用电子数据库、影印和打印机服务、计算机站、互联网、图书馆目录和与朋友的社交活动。根据性别、年龄、职称和学历，公共图书馆用户在使用公共图书馆方面存在显着差异。图书馆馆藏在培养社区阅读习惯、支持学业成就和自我修饰方面发挥了非常重要的作用。

实际影响

研究结果表明，公共图书馆员可以扩大图书馆阅览室空间，为用户提供舒适的阅读环境。图书馆社区计划有助于终身学习；因此，图书馆应该为其用户组织社区项目（即讲故事、研讨会和互动会议）。公共图书馆可以通过考虑公共图书馆使用的人口差异来加强其服务。

原创性/价值

这项研究很有价值，因为它将检查公共图书馆的使用情况、使用中的人口差异以及用户对图书馆资源、服务和位置在巴基斯坦背景下的重要性的感知。很少有研究调查公共图书馆的性别差异；然而，这项研究的结果将通过检查图书馆使用中的各种人口差异来增加知识。