Impact of WhatsApp Usage on Library Professionals of Universities of Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

This paper provides information about the impact of WhatsApp usage on library professionals in Jamshoro, Sindh. An online survey was conducted. The instrument for data collection was a structured online questionnaire and its link was distributed through WhatsApp Messaging Application. The population for the present study was chosen from all universities of Jamshoro, which are 1-Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, 2- University of Sindh, 3-University of Arts and Culture, Jamshoro, 4- Shaheed Allah Bukhsh Soomro University of Arts, Design & Heritage, and 5-Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences. 83 responses were collected from different professionals of a library, that make sample data for the study. The data was analyzed using SPSS Software. Findings revealed that most of the respondents were male. According to the study, professionals of libraries use WhatsApp to provide a wide variety of services such as sharing photos & videos, answering user queries, updating users about new materials, collecting feedback from users, and so on. It was revealed that most professionals have been using WhatsApp to provide services for 2 to 4 years and the majority of them use it on a weekly basis to interact with users. The study also revealed that WhatsApp has had a positive impact on the professional growth of library professionals. The study suggested that library administration should organize workshops and training sessions to help library professionals understand the use of WhatsApp to engage with users and provide them with services in real time.