Information Access Patterns and Library Use Patterns Among Tribal Degree College Students in Mahabubabad District

ABSTRACTThis study empirically examines the information needs, access patterns, andattitudinal dispositions of students enrolled in Telangana Tribal Welfare Residential DegreeColleges in Mahabubabad District. Using a descriptive survey design, 200 questionnaireswere administered across two institutions, of which 172 valid responses were obtained,yielding an effective response rate of 86%. The results indicate a strong reliance ontraditional print resources, with books (86%) emerging as the dominant source of academicinformation, followed by personal collections (69.8%) and journals (65.1%). The collegelibrary constitutes the primary access point for information (82.6%), underscoring itsinstitutional significance in supporting academic engagement. With respect to digital resourceutilization, OPAC (66.9%) and e-journals (62.8%) demonstrate substantial adoption, whereasCD-ROMs (48.8%) and online databases (41.9%) show comparatively moderate use.Although respondents positively perceived the adequacy of the library collection, aconsiderable proportion (69.8%) emphasized the need for infrastructural enhancement,indicating a structural gap between resource sufficiency and service environment. Thesefindings reflect a transitional information behaviour pattern characterized by continueddependence on print resources alongside gradual digital integration.