Library use pattern of Malaysian agricultural scientists

The library is considered an integral component of any efficient research s ystem. It plays a vital role in the improve ment of scientific and technolo gical research and the acceleration of the innovation process. An understan ding of the information needs as well as the ways scientists use their libr aries is crucial for efficiently meeting their information needs. This pape r explores the methods used by Malaysian agricultural scientists to get inf ormation from their libraries, the factors influencing library visits and t he occasions for extensive library use. It was found that most scientists v isit libraries personally when they need to search the library OPAC, scan p eriodicals, or use other sources for identifying new information on their t opics. However, they send junior scientists or paraprofessionals to get pho tocopies of articles, to check out books or to get information from sources already known to them. It was also found that scientists used their librar y extensively while preparing research proposals and writing reports.