Measurement of library Anxiety among Students of Literature and Humanities College in Qom University according to the Bostick's Library Anxiety Scale

This research examined library anxiety among students of Literature and Humanities college in Qom University and compared it in the following categories: Gender, education level (graduate and post-graduate), major (LIS and non-LIS) and the use and the lack of library use prior to entering the university. The sample included 225 students.The research instrument was a refined version of the Bostick's original library anxiety scale including 35 statements. Frequency distribution and independent t-test were used in order to analyze the data. Findings indicated that the total mean of library anxiety in the researched group was 88.76. The results of the independent t-test showed that library anxiety scores were higher in women than men students and in the non-LIS major students were significantly higher than in LIS. However, the mean anxiety scores were not significantly different in students who had benefitted the library prior to entering the university and those who had not. There was no significant difference in the varios educational levels. Furthermore, this significance was only associated with physical barriers and no significant difference was reported in other factors affecting the library anxiety. Studying library anxiety is important because the students need to use the library for selecting research subjects, and gathering data for doing their studies and conducting their dissertations. Library anxiety can have negative effect on their educational performance and quantity and quality of their scientific productions.