Case study: library usage at an Indian medical college

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Library Science
• Information Science

Background:

• Traditional medical curricula often dictate resource utilization patterns.
• Understanding student library usage is crucial for optimizing academic support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate library usage patterns among medical students in India.
• To assess student satisfaction with library facilities.
• To identify areas for promoting self-directed learning.

Main Methods:

• A small-scale survey of library users was conducted.
• The survey focused on a medical college with a traditional curriculum.

Main Results:

• The primary reason for library visits was textbook consultation.
• Most students expressed satisfaction with existing library facilities.

Conclusions:

• While satisfied, students predominantly rely on textbooks.
• There is a significant opportunity to foster self-directed learning skills.
• Medical college libraries should explore strategies to promote diverse learning approaches beyond textbooks.