A survey of the information seeking behaviour of the dental faculty lecturers and students at the University of the Western Cape's Oral Health Centre Library, in Mitchell's Plain

Abstract

This mini-thesis offers up to date information on issues relating to the information seeking behaviour of the dental faculty lecturers and students at the University of the Western Cape’s Oral Health Centre library. The thesis argues that dental libraries with particular reference to the South African context need to undertake research to determine needs, preferences and user patterns of dental professionals, lecturers and students. The thesis gives a brief archaeological and anthropological history of medicine and dentistry collections from the ancient times and supplies South Africa’s medical literature history. The thesis also looks at the current status and collection of the Oral Health Centre library at the University of the Western Cape in Mitchell’s Plain. It studied users and staff of the Oral Health Centre library and the services provided by the library. The main aim of the survey was to determine the information seeking behaviour of users of the Oral Health Centre library at the University of the Western Cape’s dental faculty in Mitchell’s Plain. Questionnaires and an interview with the librarian were used to collect data in order to achieve the objectives of the study. Lecturers, students and library staff were the respondents of the study. The survey gives a reflection on the status of the library and the provision of information to both lecturers and students. Data presented and interpreted is based on the responses of lecturers, students and library staff.