1. User perceptions on pleasure reading facilities provided by the Main Library of University of Colombo
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K. K. N. L. Perera
Assistant Librarian, University of Colombo
H. M. D. S. D. Somartna
Senior Assistant Librarian, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo

2. “Pleasure” ………………..
Pleasure is the effect produced in us by the mind's conscious realization of joyous experiences. The mind is invigorated and enlarged after the experience, and there follows an awareness of personal alertness, and self-poise, and independence”
-Temple Scott (1909) -

3. “Pleasure” ………………..

4. “Reading for pleasure”…………..
‘Reading for pleasure’ or ‘recreational reading’ is defined as “Non goal oriented transactions with texts as a way to spend time and for entertainment”
-The Reading Agency (2015) -

5. Why undergraduate library users ?
Literature strongly supports the positive outcomes of reading for pleasure, related to both educational and personal development of undergraduates.

6. Objectives
To identify the perceptions of pleasure readers on the benefits gained through pleasure reading
To identify the perceptions of plasure readrs on current facilities provided by the Main Library of the University of Colombo, for pleasure reading.

7. Methodology

8. Sampling Technique
Judgmental Sampling

9. Sample consisted of ….. 209 pleasure readers
Identified over a period of
One Month
Data collection tool: Questionnaire

10. Findings………………. Demographic characters of the sample
User perceptions on benefits of pleasure reading
User perceptions on pleasure reading facilities provided by the Main library
User perception on promotion of pleasure reading in a university library

11. Demographic characters of pleasure readers: Faculty
No of participants
Percentage (%)
Arts
121
57.9
Law 50
23.9
Management 26
12.4
Education 12
5.7
Total
209
100.0

12. Demographic characters of pleasure readers: Gender
No of participants
Percentage %
Male 34
16.3
Female
175
83.7
Total
209
100

13. Demographic characters of pleasure readers: Year of study
Academic year
No of participants
Percentage (%)
First year 50
23.9
Second year 74
35.4
Third year 79
37.8
Fourth year 6
2.9
Total
209
100

14. Demographic characters of pleasure readers: Ethnicity
Faculty
No of participants
Percentage (%)
Sinhalese
205
98.1
Muslim 4
1.9
Total
209
100

15. User perceptions on benefits of pleasure reading
14 Benefits which undergraduates can gain from of pleasure reading were identified through an extensive literature search

16. Attributes found through literature on the benefits of pleasure reading
Helps to relax
Gives a pleasure/ enjoyment
Helps to escape from routine work
Improves creativity and imagination
Make the reader emotional
Improves critical thinking ability
Helps to know about other cultures

17. Attributes found through literature on the benefits of pleasure reading
8. Positively co-related with overall academic performances
9. Improves communication skills
10. Develops empathy towards others
11. Enhances spiritual life
12. improves second /other language skills
13. Self-Identity
14. Reduces stress
A likert - scaled questionnaire was used to measure the user perceptions

18. Gives a pleasure/ enjoyment
Benefit SA A U D SD
Total (M*)
Mean
Helps to relax
118
(56.5%) 83
(39.7%) 6
(2.8%) 2
(1.0%)
(0.0%)
209
1.48*
Gives a pleasure/ enjoyment
111
(53.1%) 96
(45.9%)
Helps to escape
105
(50.2%)
100
(47.8%) 4
(1.9%)
1.52*
Improves creativity and imagination 97
(46.4%) 12
(5.7%)
1.58
Make the reader emotional 52
(24.9%) 93
(44.5%) 56
(26.8%) 8
(3.8%)
1.66
Improves critical thinking ability 84
(40.2%)
112
(53.6%) 11
(5.3%)
1.67
Helps to know about other cultures 73
(34.9%)
120
(57.4%) 16
7.7%
1.7
Positively co-related with overall academic performances 81
38.8%
101
48.3% 15
7.2% 10
4.8%
1.0%
1.81
Improves communication skills 64
(30.6%)
122
(58.4%)
1.84
Develops empathy towards others 70
(33.5%)
115
(55.0%) 18
(8.6%)
(2.9%)
1.88
Enhances spiritual life 68
(32.9%)
104 23
(11.1%)
(5.8%)
1.90
Improves second /other language skills 60
(28.7%)
110
(52.6%) 27
12.9%
(4.8%)
1.94
Self-Identity 48
(23.0%) 40
(19.1%)
2.07
Reduces stress 91
(44.0%) 98
(47.3%0
(7.7%)
2.10

19. Three most important benefits out of all fourteen benefits were….
Pleasure reading helps to relax.
Pleasure reading gives enjoyment.
Pleasure reading helps to escape from routine work.

20. User perceptions on pleasure reading facilities provided by the Main library
Through the questionnaire, perceptions on eight (08) major facilities provided by the Main Library, related to pleasure reading were gathered.

21. Pleasure reading facilitySA A U D SD
Total
Mean
The library environment is suitable for pleasure reading 73
(34.9%)
105
(50.2%) 22
(10.5%) 9
(4.3%)
(0.0%)
209
M*=0
1.84*
The library staff is helpful in finding pleasure reading materials 48
(23.0%)
114
(54.5%) 37
(17.7%) 8
(3.8%) 2
(1.0%)
2.05*
I like the way the pleasure reading materials which are currently
arranged in the library 14
(6.8%)
126
(60.9%) 47
(22.7%) 20
(9.7%)
2.35
The library has provided me opportunities to recommend pleasure
reading materials which I love to read 23
(11.0%)
100
(47.8%) 61
(29.2%)
2.43
The library has provided me an adequate borrowing period for pleasure
reading items 36
(17.2%) 94
(45.0%) 32
(15.3%) 35
(16.7%) 12
(5.7%)
2.49
My library has provided enough number of pleasure reading materials
which I enjoy a lot 16
(7.7%)
113
(54.1%) 43
(20.6%)
2.51
from the language that I prefer most 18
(8.6%)
106
(50.7%)
In the library, I can easily find the pleasure reading materials which I
like to read
(7.8%) 92
(44.9%) 59
(28.8%) 38
(18.5%)
2.58

22. Mostly rated statements were…
The library environment is suitable for pleasure reading
The library staff is helpful in finding pleasure reading materials

23. Lowest rated statements were….
In the library, I can easily find pleasure reading materials which
I like to read
My library has provided enough number of pleasure reading
materials which I enjoy a lot
materials from the language that I prefer most

24. User perceptions on promotion of pleasure reading

25. Conclusions
A majority of pleasure readers in the study group were from the Faculty of Arts, and Faculty of Education had the lowest number of pleasure readers.
A majority of pleasure readers are females.
A diversification of ethnic groups were not identified among pleasure readers.
A majority of pleasure readers have a very positive perception on the benefits of pleasure reading

26. The main three types of benefits of pleasure reading which the users have rated more are;
Pleasure reading helps to relax
Pleasure reading gives enjoyment
Pleasure reading helps to escape from routine work
Having a suitable physical environment and a supportive staff were the mostly rated services relevant to pleasure reading, at the Main Library, as perceived by pleasure readers.

27. Easy access to pleasure reading materials, size of the pleasure reading collection and reading materials in preferred language are the lowest rated services related to pleasure reading, in the Main Library, according to the study group.
A majority of pleasure readers agree with the statement “promotion of pleasure reading in University libraries should be a priority”.

28. Recommendations
This study can be used to justify “promotion of pleasure reading”, despite the ever increasing demand for the curriculum-related materials in academic libraries.
The Library can make the undergraduates aware of the benefits of pleasure reading, which in turn will increase the number of pleasure readers.
The library environment and staff contribution can be used as factors for attracting more uers for pleasure reading.
Pleasure reading collection should be upgraded to attract a diversified group of undergraduates having different language and genre preferences.
Visibility and easy access of the pleasure reading collection should be increased.

29. Let’s market our library !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bigger effect
Small Change

30. Thank you !