This is the first effort made to assess the service quality of a university library in Bangladesh from the perception of its users. This study assessed the level of service adequacy of the Independent University, Bangladesh Library (IUBL), along with the perceived differences in service quality by user group gender. A survey was conducted among the library users, especially faculty, graduate and undergraduate students. A modified version of the SERVQUAL questionnaire was used for data collection. Mean values for measures of services like minimum, expected, perceived, adequate and superior service were calculated. Mann-Whitney tests were conducted from the gap score of gender groups to see the statistical significance of differences. This has revealed that IUBL meets the minimum expectation of services in all aspects in that users thought that these services were adequate. Finally it has also been shown that there were significant differences in the rating of services by gender; on the whole, females were much more satisfied than the male users.

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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the procedure of setting up an institutional repository (IR) at the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), using open source software. IUB faculty and research scholars will be able to publish their research output in the proposed IR and make it globally visible.Design/methodology/approachA number of popular IR software packages have been compared. System requirements along with the steps involved in uploading and submitting contents in the IR are also illustrated.FindingsDSpace is preferred as an IR software at IUB. This paper also provides the procedure to set up the IR along with content submission and workflow processes.Originality/valueSystematic storing and access to the research output of IUB will be provided by the IR, which will be cost effective and centrally managed. This paper details the first time that an IR has been instituted in Bangladesh from the librarian and university library perspective. This study no doubt will foster more research on IRs for the improvement of digital content management.

PurposeThe main aim of this paper is to examine the extent to which the major public university libraries in Bangladesh are meeting students' service expectations through analyzing LibQUAL+ core items.Design/methodology/approachThe survey data were obtained from students using a paper version of the questionnaire consisting of LibQUAL+ core 22 service items at four top-ranked public universities in Bangladesh. Students rated the items on three service levels each using a nine-point scale: Minimum level, Desired level and Perceived Level. Descriptive statistics, i.e. mean and SD were obtained and service adequacy gap (SAG) scores between perceived and minimum levels were computed to see whether the libraries are meeting students' minimum expectation. Non-parametric Wilcoxon sign rank test was conducted to examine the differences between minimum and perceived scores. Finally, Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were conducted to see the effect of students' demographic variables on their ratings on minimum and perceived scores.FindingsThe findings revealed that the service performances of major university libraries are lagging far behind from students' minimum expectation (minimum > perceived). There are significant differences between minimum and perceived scores. Significant differences are also found in students' gender, age and enrolment level concerning their ratings on minimum and perceived service levels.Practical implicationsThe result of this study analyzes the service quality of major university libraries in Bangladesh. These findings can be used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the library services.Originality/valueLibQUAL+ has been used mostly in academic libraries in developed countries but this is for the first time a paper-version of the instrument was used in university libraries in Bangladesh.

PurposeThis paper seeks to investigate the overall service quality of the library system of Independent University, Bangladesh, a top‐ranked private university in Bangladesh. A survey is conducted among the library users specifically faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students.Design/methodology/approachA modified version of the SERVQUAL questionnaire was used for data collection. The gap differences between perceived and desired services were calculated and ranked which could indicate what services meet, exceed or fall short of the users' expectations. The mean values of desired service levels were ranked and compared among three groups of users. A Kruskal‐Wallis test was done to examine the differences in desired level of service quality by different groups. The method zone of tolerance was applied to find out the range between perceived and minimum service levels. Finally, the underlying dimensions of service quality were identified through exploratory factor analysis of level of desired services.FindingsIt has been revealed that perceived services were lagging behind the desired services and attributes of service quality which fall short of user perception though the gaps were not much higher. It has also been observed that there were some significant differences in desired services received by the users. The overall scenario of tolerance zone was inside the tolerable level by all users and only one attribute was problematic.Originality/valueThe concept of library service quality and assessment is new in Bangladesh. The author of this paper first started to study on this area among public and private university libraries. This study will no doubt encourage and foster further research in this area for the effectiveness and the better performance of academic libraries in Bangladesh.