Examination of the Tendency to Use, Accessibility, and Usage of the High School Students of Shiraz of Print and Electronic Sources

The present study aimed at examination of the degree of tendency to use, accessibility and usage of the high school students of Shiraz of print and electronic materials. The research population consisted of all students in grades one through three in the four geographical zones in Shiraz city, of which a sample of 804 were selected using cluster sampling method. The data collection tool was a Lickert-type survey with 5 point items. Results of the study revealed that a high percentage of the students under study had little access to computers and the Internet. From 40.5% of the electronic sources and 80.8% of print sources available in the school libraries, only 19.6% of the electronic sources and 40.9% of the print sources meet the students’ needs. All in all, students have more access to print materials and tend to use them more. Female students use more electronic sources than male students. Also, there is significant difference between the students of the four zones in regards with tendency, access and usage of print and electronic materials. Tendency to use and accessibility is lower than other zones in zone one. The breadth and the heterogeneous texture of zone one (in analogy to other zones), uneven distribution of facilities, different environmental conditions and welfare, as well as the economic, cultural and educational levels of the households could be considered as the factors affecting the low tendency to use, accessibility and usage of the students in zone one.