Information literacy skills and competency among the users of agricultural university libraries in Karnataka

Information literacy competency is essential for library users, particularly in academic and research contexts. This study examines the information literacy skills of users in agricultural university libraries in Karnataka, utilizing a descriptive survey research design. Primary data were collected from 347 respondents, including undergraduate students, postgraduate students, research scholars, and faculty members, using a structured questionnaire. The analysis employed descriptive statistics like percentages, means, standard deviations, and the chi-square test. Results indicate that library visits and the use of electronic resources, especially e-journals and open-access materials, are common among users. Competency levels in identifying information needs and effective searching were moderate to high; however, evaluating information sources, ethical information use, and citation practices were areas of lower competency. It concludes by advocating for regular information literacy programs, user education initiatives, and digital literacy training to improve resource utilization in these libraries.