A Study of University Students' Demand for Exhibitions Organized by University Libraries：Based on the Example of National Taiwan Normal University

• Main Authors: Lin, Shih-chao, 林始昭
• Other Authors: 黃明月
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2003
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/15367901990125083118

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 社會教育學系在職進修碩士班 === 91 === As a part of the extension services of university libraries in Taiwan, exhibitions have grown in importance to become one of their major types of programs. The objectives of this study are to gain a deeper understanding of the degree to which university students in Taiwan participate in exhibitions organized by university libraries, as well as to investigate their demand regarding the content of exhibitions, guidance and educational activities, the method of presentation and expected functions. The study uses undergraduate students from National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) as subjects; literature review is also included. For the tool of investigation, the study uses a survey questionnaire designed by the author, titled “A Survey for the Study of University Students’ Demand for Exhibitions Organized by University Libraries.” The findings of this study include the following: I. Regarding the experience of university students in participating in exhibitions organized by university libraries: The investigation on the experience of undergraduate students from NTNU in participating exhibitions held by university libraries finds that the frequency of viewing is not high (the highest proportion of subjects respond to the choice of viewing one to two per year) and that most students view library exhibitions as an extra activity added to the other main function of visiting the library. However, the average score of overall demand at 4.10 shows that most students hold a positive attitude toward this service provided by the library. University students of different genders show significant difference in “channels of information,” “motives for viewing,” “frequency of viewing virtual exhibitions on websites” and “themes of exhibitions viewed;” university students from different academies show significant difference in “channels of information,” “motives for viewing” and “themes of exhibitions viewed.” II. Regarding the demand of university students for library exhibitions in terms of exhibition content, guidance and educational activities, methods of presentation and expected functions In the survey on their demand for exhibitions organized by university libraries, undergraduate students from NTNU show the following preferences in various aspects: in the aspect of content, the highest demand is for the “fine arts” category; the students think that “libraries should offer speeches, seminars and other related activities to accompany the exhibitions.” In the aspect of exhibition guidance and educational activities, the highest proportion demand that libraries should “provide detailed explanation for the exhibition items;” as for how that should be done, the majority of the subjects favor “plaques with explanatory text and billboards.” In the aspect of presentation methods, most think that “physical exhibitions” should constitute the majority of library exhibitions. In the aspect of expected functions of the exhibitions, the highest demand is for “finding peace of body and mind, relaxation and entertainment.” Undergraduate students from NTNU of different genders show significant difference in their preferences for exhibition content, ways that guidance and education activities should be conducted, presentation methods exhibitions, and expected functions of exhibitions. NTNU undergraduate students from different academies display significant difference in preferences for all the following aspects: exhibition content, guidance and educational activities, methods of presentation, expected functions, and the overall necessity for libraries to organize exhibitions. Based on the findings of this study, we wish to make the following recommendations: I. Recommendations for the universities (1) Universities should make effective planning of its campus space from an artistic perspective to enhance the level of art literacy of the students. (2) Universities would do well by incorporating the viewing of exhibitions into the courses of art appreciation to help students shape their habit of lifelong learning in arts. (3) Universities should integrate the human and spatial resources in the school to promote programs that encourage students to exhibit the results of their learning or research using the public exhibition space on the campus. II. Recommendations for the libraries (1) To overcome barriers of information dissemination, libraries should improve their promotion campaigns for exhibitions. (2) To encourage students to participate in exhibitions more frequently, libraries should strive for a more complete understanding of their interests and plan the exhibitions accordingly. (3) Libraries should improve the explanatory material accompanying the exhibition items and enhance the communication functions and interactivity of exhibitions. III. Recommendation for future studies on this subject (1) Expansion on the coverage of subjects for higher precision in study results. (2) More in-depth research into other domains of audience study; further exploration of students’ opinions regarding the planning and design of exhibitions, or tests on the results of learning from viewing exhibitions.