Perbandingan Pemanfaatan Koleksi Tercetak dan Elektronik di Perpustakaan Universitas Sumatera Utara

Abstract

This study investigates the comparison between the utilization of printed and electronic collections by students of the University of Sumatera Utara (USU) in fulfilling their academic information needs, using the Uses and Gratifications Theory as the theoretical framework. Employing a quantitative approach with the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test to analyze survey data, this research measures user preferences across 16 dimensions encompassing individual needs, social environment, media usage, and obtained gratifications. The results reveal a statistically significant preference (p=.001) toward electronic collections. This preference is primarily driven by functional gratifications such as search effectiveness (Gap Score: 0.74) and socio-collaborative gratifications in group discussions (Gap Score: 0.82). These behavioral patterns are reinforced by a considerably higher level of dependency and usage intensity on digital resources. The findings confirm a fundamental digital transformation in students academic information behavior and highlight the importance of prioritizing electronic collection development in library strategic planning.