A study of information needs of Members of the Legislative Assembly in the capital city of India

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate the information needs of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of Delhi. It aims to provide a study of information sources used by them. It also includes the library use by MLAs, their awareness about various library services, and deals with the problems/hindrances faced by MLAs during the process of information seeking.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted with the help of a structured questionnaire and semi‐structured interview schedule. The respondents marked their response on a graphic scale which was converted into a rating scale for obtaining the inferences. The analysis of data is done with the help of weighted mean. A histograph has been used to make the matter more understandable.

Findings

The results of this research show that only a few MLAs are aware about the usefulness of library/information services. They are dependant on non‐documentary sources of information. They are not fully satisfied with the present system of information gathering, where they have to devote more time and energy.

Research limitations/implications

The present research is applied only to the information system available to the MLAs of Delhi. The findings can not be universalized to all the MLAs in the different states of India.

Practical implications

In the last part of this paper an outline for the proposed information system for the MLAs of Delhi has been provided. These suggestions will be useful to the policy maker when making an electronic based information system for the MLAs of Delhi.

Originality/value

There has been no study carried out on the information needs of MLAs in India prior to this research. The study will help the authorities to build/rebuild/improve the information system for MLAs in Delhi.

Citation

Shailendra, K. and Prakash, H. (2008), "A study of information needs of Members of the Legislative Assembly in the capital city of India", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 60 No. 2, pp. 158-179. https://doi.org/10.1108/00012530810862482