Exploring users perceptions of NLP-based search systems for enhancing library accessibility in a public university of Bangladesh

The study aims to examine users’ perceptions of the potential adoption of NLP-based search systems and explore how such systems could enhance library accessibility in a public university library in Bangladesh. A quantitative research methodology was employed, gathering data through surveys conducted among 387 respondents, including students and faculty members of NSTU. The survey utilized structured questionnaires with Likert-scale responses, dichotomous questions, and multiple-choice formats. The familiarity of digital Literacy and Natural language processing were analyzed through non-parametric tests like Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H. Statistical analysis tools, such as SPSS 27 and Excel 2021, were used for data processing and interpretation. The study revealed moderate familiarity with existing library information retrieval services, particularly among students. Respondents perceived that NLP-based search systems could improve search accuracy, relevance, and efficiency with 64.34% expressing positive expectations regarding their potential effectiveness. However, barriers like technical expertise, financial constraints, and user adaptation need to be addressed for successful implementation. The findings also highlight the need for continuous digital literacy training for both students and faculty. The research was limited to a single institution, potentially affecting its generalizability to other public university libraries in Bangladesh. This study suggests further exploration of NLP applications tailored to the complexities of the Bengali language for wider applicability and effectiveness.