Coleção de periódicos em bibliotecas universitárias: estudo de avaliação

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to analyse the existing collection of periodical publications at the Federal University of Paraíba Library considering its adequacy to the users expressed needs as its adequacy to the concept of an ideal collection of periodicals , as defined by an international scientific community of research in this field. We wanted also to compare the level of agreement between such as international scientific community and a local community of researchers, as far as ideal collection of periodicals is concerned. In order to do this we used the following methods: the analysis of the circulation of periodicals, the opinion of its users questionnaires and checking of lit for the survey of our data. The result showed that the existing periodicals collection met with a 51% satisfaction rate from the local users and with a 74% satisfaction rate from the international scientific community this if we consider an ideal collection. The level of agreement between these two communities was 28% - this accentuates the difference between these two communities' various interests. The existing periodicals collection seems to meet better the interests of the scientific community of international researchers. And, finally, the assistance of Library's Periodical Section interfered in the use of publications in such a way that the users evaluated the quality of existing collection according to the performance level of that section's personnel. Our findings show that a model for evaluating periodicals gives us very useful data for an acquisition plan with respect to periodicals, in agreement with the real needs of its users. And more that the use of the material, the users' opinions and the checking of lists considered as a models for evaluation t are very helpful for University Libraries acquisition policies and collection development.