Research on the Reading Demands of Xinjiang Institute of Engineering Students in the Library and the Optimization of Library Collection Construction ()
1. Introduction
In the current era of information explosion, university libraries, as important hubs for knowledge dissemination, play an indispensable role in the learning and growth of students (He, 2025; Liu, 2025; Liu et al., 2025). They not only provide students with rich literature resources but also serve as crucial places for cultivating students’ autonomous learning abilities and innovative thinking (Huang, 2025; Shi, 2025). Understanding students’ reading demands in depth and optimizing the library collection construction have become the keys to improving library service quality and promoting students’ all-round development (Yu, 2025; Zu & Huang, 2025). In response to the demands of the times, the library of Xinjiang Institute of Engineering launched this offline paper-based book questionnaire survey to more accurately understand students’ reading preferences and expectations. By comprehensively collecting students’ opinions and suggestions, the aim is to further enhance the library’s resource construction level, create a better reading environment for students, and contribute to the school’s education, teaching, and talent-training work.
2. Survey Overview
2.1. Survey Objectives
This survey aims to deeply understand the reading demands for paper-based books, reading habits, and satisfaction with library services among students of Xinjiang Institute of Engineering. It also collects specific suggestions from students on library collection construction, providing data support and decision-making basis for the library to optimize its paper-based book procurement strategy, improve service facilities, and enhance service quality.
2.2. Survey Subjects and Scope
The survey covered two campuses, the main campus and Nanchang Road Campus. It involved 17 undergraduate majors from 9 colleges, including the College of Safety Science and Engineering, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, College of Mining Engineering and Geology, College of Energy Engineering, School of Economics and Management (Nanchang Road), College of Civil Engineering, College of Control Engineering, College of Information Engineering, and College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering. The survey subjects covered students from freshman to senior years, ensuring the wide range and representativeness of the sample.
2.3. Survey Methods and Implementation Process
An offline questionnaire survey method was adopted. The staff of the library’s acquisition and cataloging department took advantage of students’ spare time such as during class breaks and evening self-study sessions to distribute questionnaires face-to-face in teaching buildings, experimental buildings, and student dormitories. During the survey process, the staff introduced the purpose and filling requirements of the survey in detail to ensure that students could accurately understand the questionnaire content and fill in the relevant information carefully. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed in this survey, and 480 valid questionnaires were recovered, with a valid recovery rate of 96%, guaranteeing the reliability and validity of the survey data.
2.4. Survey Content
The questionnaire mainly included students’ basic information (college, major, grade, gender), reading habits (frequency of visiting the library), reasons for coming to the library to read, problems encountered in finding books, understanding of the library’s book retrieval system, satisfaction with the library’s paper-based collections, types of books they hoped the library would add, types of books they generally read, and overall evaluation of library services. In addition, open-ended questions were set to collect students’ specific suggestions and hopes for the library, so as to have a more comprehensive understanding of students’ needs and ideas.
3. Analysis of Survey Results
3.1. Distribution of Students’ Basic Information
Among the 480 students participating in the survey, there were 302 male students, accounting for 62.92%; and 178 female students, accounting for 37.08%. In terms of grade distribution, there were 150 freshmen, accounting for 31.25%; 130 sophomores, accounting for 27.08%; 100 juniors, accounting for 20.83%; and 100 seniors, accounting for 20.83%. Students from various colleges and majors participated, reflecting the wide coverage of the survey sample at different disciplinary majors and grade levels in the school.
3.2. Reading Habits and Frequencies
The survey results show that 75% of the students have the habit of regularly borrowing paper-based books from the library. Among them, 20% of the students visit the library more than three times a week, 40% visit once or twice a week, and 15% visit one to three times a month. This indicates that the library occupies an important position in students’ study and life and is one of the important channels for students to obtain knowledge. However, 25% of the students basically do not go to the library. The reading demands of this part of the students and the reasons for not going to the library deserve further exploration, so that the library can take targeted measures to attract more students to use library resources.
3.3. Reasons for Coming to the Library to Read
The reasons why students choose to come to the library to read are diverse. Among them, students who believe that the library has “rich resources and complete materials” account for the highest proportion, reaching 60%, which fully reflects the key role of the library’s collection resources in attracting students; “comfortable reading environment and good atmosphere” is also an important factor, accounting for 30%, indicating that a good reading environment has great attraction for students; students “attracted by reading promotion activities” account for 10%, indicating that reading promotion activities have certain potential in guiding students to read, and the library can further strengthen the planning and organization of related activities.
3.4. Problems in Finding Books
In terms of finding books, the problems feedback by students mainly focus on two aspects: signs and placement. 35% of the students think that “the signs are not obvious enough to find the relevant area”, and 25% of the students think that “the books are placed incorrectly and difficult to find”. In addition, a small number of students mentioned that “the computers in the borrowing room are old and cannot meet the needs of searching”, accounting for 5%. Only 35% of the students think that finding books is “very good”. This reflects that there is still room for improvement in the library’s book management and guidance. It is necessary to optimize the book sign system, standardize the book placement order, and improve the efficiency of students in finding books.
3.5. Understanding of the Book Retrieval System
Regarding the library’s book retrieval system, 25% of the students “know it very well”, 40% of the students “know it fairly well”, and 35% of the students “do not know it well”. This indicates that the familiarity of some students with the book retrieval system needs to be improved. The library needs to strengthen the publicity and training of the book retrieval system to help students better master retrieval skills, make full use of the library’s digital resources, and improve the efficiency of finding books.
3.6. Satisfaction with the Library’s Paper-Based Collections
91% of the surveyed students are satisfied with the library’s paper-based collections. Among them, 40% of the students are “satisfied” and 51% of the students are “basically satisfied”. However, 9% of the students think it is “not very satisfied” or “not sure”. This shows that the library has achieved certain results in collection resource construction, but it still needs to pay attention to the needs of a small number of students, further optimize the collection structure, and enrich the collection resources to meet the diverse reading needs of different students.
3.7. Types of Books Students Hope to Add
The types of books that students hope the library will add are relatively wide-ranging, reflecting the diversity of students’ reading interests. Among them, 50% of the students hope to add “literature and novels”, 40% hope to add “popular science” books, 35% hope to add “disciplinary materials”, 25% hope to add “original English books”, 20% hope to add “history” books, 15% hope to add “culture and art” books, 15% hope to add “electronic technology” books, 10% hope to add “reference books”, and 5% of the students choose “others”. This provides a clear direction for the library’s book procurement. The library should increase the procurement quantity and types of relevant books according to students’ needs.
3.8. Types of Books Students Generally Read
The types of paper-based books that students usually read are rich and diverse. Among them, the proportion of students reading “study materials” is the highest, accounting for 60%, which is closely related to students’ academic needs; “classical literature” accounts for 40%, “bestselling new books” account for 30%, “online novels” account for 25%, “academic research” accounts for 15%, “news and information” accounts for 10%, “mental health” accounts for 10%, “life health care” accounts for 5%, and 5% of the students choose “others (Weibo, anime)”. This result reflects that while meeting academic needs, students also pay attention to the improvement of literary literacy and leisure reading.
3.9. Overall Evaluation of Library Services
In terms of the overall evaluation of library services, 45% of the students are “satisfied”, 40% are “basically satisfied”, 5% are “dissatisfied”, and 10% are “not sure”. This indicates that the service quality of the library has been recognized by most students, but there is still room for improvement. It is necessary to optimize the aspects that students are not satisfied with, improve the service level, and enhance students’ satisfaction.
3.10. Specific Suggestions and Hopes of Students
Through the collation and analysis of open-ended questions, students put forward many specific suggestions and hopes. These mainly include: increasing the procurement of popular books and cutting-edge books related to majors; optimizing the spatial layout of the library and adding comfortable reading seats; extending the opening hours of the library; strengthening the environmental hygiene management of the library; holding more targeted reading promotion activities and academic lectures; improving the service attitude and professional quality of library staff, etc. These suggestions provide valuable references for the improvement and development of the library.
4. Optimization Strategies for Library Collection Construction
4.1. Precise Book Procurement
According to the survey results, the library should conduct a comprehensive duplicate check using the Golden Disk System, and carefully register the books that are in high demand by students but currently lacking in the collection. During the centralized book procurement process in 2024 and subsequent years, these books should be given priority in procurement to mainly meet students’ reading needs in social sciences (such as suspense novels, mental health books, folk custom books, English learning books, etc.) and natural sciences (such as professional textbooks, programming books, etc.). At the same time, pay attention to students’ demands for works by specific authors, such as the works of well-known writers like Haruki Murakami and Keigo Higashino, and conduct targeted procurement and supplementation to enrich the collection resources and improve the practicality and attractiveness of the collection.
4.2. Improve the Library Sign and Retrieval System
4.2.1. Optimize the Sign System
Re-examine and plan the internal sign system of the library to ensure that the shelf signs and area signs are clear, distinct, and easy to understand. Use eye-catching colors, concise text, and graphic symbols to distinguish different book categories and borrowing areas. Set up floor layout maps and index guides in prominent positions such as the library entrance and main corridors to facilitate students in quickly finding the storage locations of the books they need. Regularly check and maintain the signs, and promptly replace the damaged or blurred signs to ensure the effectiveness of the sign system.
4.2.2. Strengthen the Publicity and Training of the Retrieval System
Develop a systematic publicity and training plan for the book retrieval system. When new students enter the school, carry out special library orientation courses to introduce in detail the functions and usage methods of the book retrieval system. Through on-site demonstrations and practical operations, help new students master basic retrieval skills. For students of different grades, regularly hold training lectures on book retrieval skills, with content including the application of advanced retrieval functions and how to use the retrieval system to obtain professional materials. Set up display boards with instructions on the use of the retrieval system in the library, providing answers to common questions and operation steps. At the same time, publish the usage tutorials and videos of the book retrieval system on the library website and WeChat official account to facilitate students to learn anytime and anywhere.
4.3. Optimize Library Services
4.3.1. Improve the Reading Environment
Optimize the spatial layout of the library according to students’ suggestions. Reasonably adjust the placement of bookshelves and reading seats, and increase the number of comfortable reading seats to meet students’ reading needs. Pay attention to the interior decoration of the library to create a warm and quiet reading atmosphere. Strengthen the environmental hygiene management of the library, regularly clean and disinfect to keep the library clean and tidy. Improve the lighting and ventilation conditions of the library to provide students with a comfortable and healthy reading environment.
4.3.2. Extend the Opening Hours
Fully consider the study and life rhythms of students and appropriately extend the opening hours of the library. The opening hours can be flexibly adjusted according to different semesters and exam weeks. For example, during the semester, the library can be opened until 10 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and the opening hours on weekends can also be extended accordingly; during the exam week, the opening hours can be further extended to provide students with more study and review space. At the same time, reasonably arrange the duty hours of staff to ensure the normal operation and service quality of the library during the extended opening hours.
4.3.3. Enrich Reading Promotion Activities
Increase the intensity of planning and organizing reading promotion activities. According to students’ interests and needs, hold diverse reading activities, such as reading sharing sessions, theme essay competitions, book exhibitions, academic lectures, etc., to attract more students to participate. Combine different festivals and themes to hold special reading activities. For example, hold a series of reading promotion activities on World Book Day, and hold book exhibitions and lectures related to traditional culture during traditional cultural festivals. Through these activities, stimulate students’ reading interests, cultivate students’ reading habits, and create a strong campus reading atmosphere.
4.3.4. Improve the Service Level of Staff
Strengthen the training and management of library staff, and improve their service awareness and professional qualities. Regularly organize staff to participate in professional training, learning library management knowledge, book classification and cataloging skills, reader service etiquette, etc., to enhance the professional capabilities of staff. Establish and improve the staff assessment mechanism, incorporate service attitude and work quality into the assessment indicators, and encourage staff to actively provide high-quality services for students. Require staff to warmly receive every reader, patiently answer readers’ questions, and promptly help readers solve the difficulties encountered during the borrowing process, so as to improve students’ satisfaction with library services.
5. Conclusion
This paper-based book questionnaire survey on students of Xinjiang Institute of Engineering has comprehensively understood students’ reading demands, reading habits, and evaluations and suggestions on library services. The survey results show that the library plays an important role in students’ study and life, but there are still some areas that need to be improved and perfected in library collection construction and service quality. By implementing a series of measures such as precise book procurement, improving the library sign and retrieval system, and optimizing library services, the library can better meet students’ reading needs, improve service quality, and provide students with a more high-quality and convenient reading experience.
In future development, the library should continuously pay attention to changes in students’ demands, regularly conduct similar survey research, and constantly adjust and optimize library collection construction and service strategies. At the same time, strengthen cooperation with various departments of the school and student associations to jointly create a good campus reading atmosphere, promote the school’s education, teaching, and cultural construction work, and provide strong support for the cultivation of high-quality innovative talents. In addition, with the continuous development of information technology, the library should also actively explore digital service models, organically combine paper-based resources with digital resources, and provide students with more diverse ways to obtain knowledge to meet the needs of the times.