Abstract:
New technologies mean new choices in regards to information retrieval, access,
and services. When confronted by these choices institutions such as secondary
schools must adjust their services to meet the needs of their community- their
students.
Computers, CD-ROMs, Internet and automated library databases are common
forms of new technologies entering secondary school libraries. With the
provision of this range of technology resources the 'access' for students to these
resources and where to draw the line in service delivery is an issue. In a private
boarding school where a boarding students primary means of information
gathering and research is the school library and associated facilities, access is an
issue.
This study undertaken in a New Zealand private boarding school establishes
usage and access patterns of boarding students by surveying a sample group of
the boarding population by asking them to complete a questionnaire. This
research tool also established the perceptions the boarding students held of the
role of the school library. Two viewpoints were gained during this research by
surveying both boarding students and school library staff.
The purpose of this investigation was to establish whether the school library and
computer facilities are providing satisfactory access and services to information
resources at a level necessary to allow the boarding students to carry out their
school work requirements.
The results of the study show that while the school provides a wide range of
information resources, boarding students have indicated that the access to these
resources are unsatisfactory to their requirements
