Exploring library anxiety among non-English-speaking postgraduate students

Abstract

The study investigates library anxiety among non-English speaking postgraduate students using an online survey questionnaire and a modified 43-item Library Anxiety Scale (LAS) by Bostick. A five-point Likert scale was used to collect data, and the collected data were examined using inferential statistics. The study identified four factors contributing to library anxiety, i.e. technological and affective barriers, comfort level while inside the library building, barriers to staff, and affective barriers. The exploratory factor analysis points out that the main contributing factors to library anxiety are technological and affective barriers. Gender, study year, and program were not significant for many LAS items. Similarly, age groups and regularity of library visits were not significant for many LAS scores. This study contributes to the literature by testing the application of Bostick's LAS scale in non-English cultures. The paper highlights important actions academic libraries need to minimize library anxiety among postgraduate students.