The Importance of Interpersonal Communication in Libraries

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 47 views

Introduction

The library is the intellectual heart of an educational institution, playing a vital role in supporting the teaching and learning process. It not only provides collections of books and sources of information but also acts as a space for interaction and communication for students. This study focuses on interpersonal communication analysis at the Indonesian Methodist University Library using a humanistic model, aiming to understand how the quality of library services is perceived by students and how it is realized in interpersonal interactions.

The Importance of Interpersonal Communication in Libraries

Interpersonal communication is a crucial aspect of library services, as it directly affects the user experience and satisfaction. A library that fosters a positive and supportive atmosphere can encourage users to explore and utilize its resources effectively. On the other hand, poor interpersonal communication can lead to user dissatisfaction and a negative perception of the library.

Methodology

This study uses a quantitative descriptive method, involving 98 students as a sample of the 6051 student population. Data is collected through a questionnaire that contains questions about the experience and perception of students on interpersonal communication in the library. The questionnaire is designed to assess the students' experience and perception of the librarians' behavior, including their openness, positivity, empathy, supportiveness, and equality.

Results

The results of this study show that the majority of students gave a positive assessment of the services and interactions carried out by the librarians. A significant figure, above 90%, states that students feel good service and positive interaction from librarians. Further analysis based on the humanistic model shows interesting results.

Openness

68.1% of respondents considered that librarians were open to communicating with libraries, showing that librarians were willing to listen and understand the needs of users.
66.3% of respondents assessed positive thinking librarians in serving, showing that librarians are friendly, helpful, and optimistic in dealing with questions or requests.

Positivity

66.3% of respondents considered that librarian services show empathy, showing that librarians understand the difficulties and needs of users, and try to provide the right solution.
63.28% Respondents consider librarians to provide support and appreciation to libraries, showing that librarians encourage and appreciate users' efforts in learning and gaining knowledge.

Empathy

67.1% of respondents consider that librarians do not discriminate and build intimacy with users, showing that librarians respect all users regardless of their background or status.

Discussion

The results of this study indicate that the Indonesian Methodist University Library has succeeded in building good interpersonal communication with students. The librarians show empathy, openness, and positive attitudes in interacting, creating a comfortable and supportive atmosphere for users. This is in line with humanistic values that emphasize the concern and respect for the individuality of each individual.

Conclusion

This research provides valuable information for the development of university libraries. By knowing the strengths and weaknesses of interpersonal communication in the library, it can be made efforts to improve the quality of services better in the future. The importance of interpersonal communication in the library context not only guarantees user comfort but also increases the effectiveness of the library in carrying out its duties and functions as a source of knowledge and intellectual centers.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Training and Development: Provide training and development programs for librarians to enhance their interpersonal communication skills, including empathy, openness, and positivity.
User Feedback: Encourage user feedback and suggestions to improve library services and interpersonal communication.
Library Environment: Create a comfortable and supportive library environment that fosters a positive and inclusive atmosphere for users.
Collaboration: Foster collaboration between librarians and other university staff to provide a comprehensive and supportive learning environment for students.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the importance of interpersonal communication in libraries and presented the results of a study on the quality of library services at the Indonesian Methodist University Library. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to interpersonal communication in libraries.

Q: What is interpersonal communication in libraries?

A: Interpersonal communication in libraries refers to the interactions between librarians and users, including students, faculty, and staff. It involves the exchange of information, ideas, and emotions between individuals, and is essential for creating a positive and supportive learning environment.

Q: Why is interpersonal communication important in libraries?

A: Interpersonal communication is crucial in libraries because it directly affects the user experience and satisfaction. A library that fosters a positive and supportive atmosphere can encourage users to explore and utilize its resources effectively. On the other hand, poor interpersonal communication can lead to user dissatisfaction and a negative perception of the library.

Q: What are some key aspects of interpersonal communication in libraries?

A: Some key aspects of interpersonal communication in libraries include:

Empathy: Librarians should be able to understand and share the feelings of users.
Openness: Librarians should be willing to listen and communicate openly with users.
Positivity: Librarians should be friendly, helpful, and optimistic in dealing with users.
Supportiveness: Librarians should provide support and appreciation to users.
Equality: Librarians should respect all users regardless of their background or status.

Q: How can librarians improve their interpersonal communication skills?

A: Librarians can improve their interpersonal communication skills by:

Attending training and development programs: Provide training and development programs for librarians to enhance their interpersonal communication skills.
Seeking feedback: Encourage user feedback and suggestions to improve library services and interpersonal communication.
Creating a comfortable library environment: Create a comfortable and supportive library environment that fosters a positive and inclusive atmosphere for users.
Collaborating with other university staff: Foster collaboration between librarians and other university staff to provide a comprehensive and supportive learning environment for students.

Q: What are some challenges that librarians may face in interpersonal communication?

A: Some challenges that librarians may face in interpersonal communication include:

Language barriers: Librarians may face language barriers when communicating with users who speak different languages.
Cultural differences: Librarians may face cultural differences when communicating with users from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Technical issues: Librarians may face technical issues when using technology to communicate with users.
Time constraints: Librarians may face time constraints when communicating with users, especially during peak hours.

Q: How can libraries measure the effectiveness of interpersonal communication?

A: Libraries can measure the effectiveness of interpersonal communication by:

Conducting user surveys: Conduct user surveys to assess user satisfaction and perception of library services.
Analyzing user feedback: Analyze user feedback and suggestions to improve library services and interpersonal communication.
Monitoring library usage statistics: Monitor library usage statistics to assess the impact of interpersonal communication on library usage.
Evaluating library staff performance: Evaluate library staff performance to assess their interpersonal communication skills.

By understanding the importance of interpersonal communication in libraries and addressing the challenges that librarians may face, libraries can create a positive and supportive learning environment that fosters user satisfaction and library usage.