The Use of Library to Fsd Students

1. Introduction

It is commonly supposed that reading books plays an important role in human’s life. David (2014) stated that reading is essential because it can develop the mind, imagination and self-image (David 2014). The great importance of reading books leads to the popularity of library where readers can acquire extensive knowledge through billions of useful book. Since the first library of the world was founded and opened about 300 BC in Egypt, the quantity as well as the quality of libraries is increasingly enhanced by the time. According to Adio and Olasina, there are different types of library: academic libraries, public libraries, special libraries (Adio and Olasina n.d)

Especially, for centuries, academic libraries become an inevitable part supporting students’ studies. Undoubtedly, it also has been recognized as one of the key elements that open the door to human knowledge. Indeed, several journalists and researchers have mentioned the roles of libraries in education and library’s services nowadays. In The roles of libraries in education, Boucher and Lance (1992) said that the library “assists students of all ages in meeting educational objectives established during their formal courses of study” and “supports individuals of all ages pursuing a sustained program of learning independent of any educational provider” (Boucher and Lance 1992). Additionally, along with the development of society, libraries are improving gradually facilities, technological skills of staffs in order to meet the new demands of librarians. Hunter and Ward (2011) claimed that over the time, instructional labs and new technologies were added instead of reference desks, which make libraries become more intentional (Hunter and Ward 2011). Nevertheless, a report from the Research Information Network and the Consortium of Research Libraries in 2007 showed that technological advance and the accessibility to the variety of online sources have posed new challenges and new expectations for libraries. “Libraries will need to plan for and build services that fit new researcher work habits, with an emphasis on the flexibility and remixing of their content and services.” they said.

Having realized the essential functions of the library to students’ learning, a range of studies had investigated several related aspects between students and the library in study. Nevertheless, just a few of these provide a comprehensive overview on the use of library to first-year students in university who seem quite strange with their new academic environment. Therefore, with the purpose of looking into the use of library by FSD students, this paper, based on data on students of Foundation Studies Department, Hanoi University, aims to answer three main questions. Firstly, what are the purposes of using the library of FSD students? Secondly, do they satisfy with the services and facilities in library? And last but not least, what they want the library change in the future?