Students perception of quality of library services in the context of open and distance learning in Tanzania: A case of the Open University of Tanzania

Masoy, Susan (2019) Students perception of quality of library services in the context of open and distance learning in Tanzania: A case of the Open University of Tanzania. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study set out to investigate OUT students’ perceptions regarding the quality of services offered by the OUT library. The study came up with this objective based on the fact that ODL as a teaching delivery mode is increasingly becoming popular and its success and survival depend largely on user’s satisfaction of the library services. To achieve this objective, a sample of 100 respondents was randomly obtained from amongst the library users, being the OUT students and a questionnaire was used to collect data. Interviews were also used to collect data from the librarians and to complement that, various OUT documents were reviewed in order to get relevant secondary data. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. A Chi Square test of independence was performed to explain the relationship among some variables under study. Findings of the study show that the library offers a range of services relevant for the ODL mode include electronic and print sources of reading materials. On perception of the services offered, the study unveiled that students were somehow satisfied with the services. However, the major challenge hampering satisfaction as regard to the use of library service include, slow internet and lack of important infrastructures for use and accessing electronic material such as computers. Other challenges include irrelevant and outdated print materials. To enhance the quality of services offered, the study recommends that the university needs to invest more on infrastructures important for students to use and access electronic materials. This however should go hand in hand with training on information literacy to its users. In addition, the stock of print materials at the library should be updated so that they are relevant and suitable to needs of the students. vi ii

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