The reading behavioural patterns of the Ionian University graduate students: reading policy of the Greek academic libraries

Abstract

Changing times call for a reading policy which should be high on the list of priorities of academic libraries. This paper aims to probe the reading behavioural patterns and perception of the students of the Ionian University. Design/methodology/approach – An empirical study was conducted from April to June 2007, through the development of a structured questionnaire equally distributed to a stratified sample of 335 undergraduate students from all the departments of the Ionian University. Findings – The undergraduate students of the Ionian University show reading behaviours that are different from the general population. Academic libraries can form specific policies regarding the reading habits and behaviour of the undergraduate students in terms of compulsory reading and leisure reading. Practical implications – Effective and creative planning of reading policy in academic libraries should be based on students’ reading behavioural patterns. Originality/value – Results for the reading patterns for students of academic institutions in Greece have not been available in the past. Availability of such results documented in this paper may provide a starting-point for the development of academic libraries’ reading policy concerning the reading behaviour of students.