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This study investigated the effect of the Big Five personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness) on knowledge acquisition and application by Pakistani university librarians. To increase their impact in academic institutions, it is imperative to examine how people acquire and apply knowledge within the field of librarianship. This study employed a quantitative research approach based on the survey research method. The Big Five personality inventory designed by John and Srivastava was adopted, however, measurement items related to knowledge acquisition and application behavior were developed with the help of the existing literature. The study population comprised academic librarians working in the university libraries of Pakistan, with a census sampling method used to collect data and 357 completed questionnaires received. The results indicated that extraversion, agreeableness, and openness to experience positively affect the university librarian's knowledge acquisition, while neuroticism has a negative effect. The findings also revealed that extraversion and openness to experience positively affects academic librarians' knowledge application behavior while neuroticism has a negative effective, however, conscientiousness and agreeableness personality traits were found to be insignificant predictors of the same. This study highlights the significant personality features contributing to knowledge acquisition and application behavior in academic libraries from a developing country's perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Wide Web is now known to be the richest source of information. The growth rate of the web is exponential. This paper explores different aspects of web search behavior of university students, in terms of user's background and experience with web, purpose of use, searching skills, query formulation, frequency of use, favorite search engine, etc. All these factors contribute to the way in which the students search the web. Data have been collected from students of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore through questionnaire. Key findings include the use of web for academic tasks, preference of Google, reformulation of query, use of basic and advance search features, browsing of first ten hits and problem of slow speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large scale computerization and related technologies have modernized all library functions, especially converted traditional reference service (RS) into digital reference service (DRS) through synchronous and asynchronous systems. DRS is necessary in all types of libraries due to bulk of literature, diversity of users, competitive urgency and various formats of information. Main objective of the study was to find out the current status of technologies and practices related to DRS and readiness level of university libraries in terms of their awareness, motivation level and strength of sources. Recommendations and suggestions have been made for developing better DRS programs. Survey method was used to achieve the objectives of this study. A review of related literature both national and international was made to understand theoretical aspects of the study. With the help of reviewed literature, research instrument (questionnaire) was developed for data collection. The questionnaire was distributed to HEC recognized university libraries in the province of Punjab. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis using SPSS. Findings of the study reveal that a large majority of the university libraries are at the low level of overall DRS readiness and thus adopting this system at a very slow pace. They are still stuck with traditional reference service (RS) model. Financial resources, inadequate staff skills, lack of digital collection and training can be considered as the main reasons for tardiness. The study imparts guidelines which hopefully help reference librarians to consider the critical issues of DRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]