Accessibility and Usage of Electronic Resources By Library Users at the National Institute of Transport, Tanzania.

Julias, Victor (2023) Accessibility and Usage of Electronic Resources By Library Users at the National Institute of Transport, Tanzania. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

Library users in the libraries are influenced by information needs such as searching and accessing online materials and other e-resources. This study aimed to investigate the accessibility and usage of electronic resources by library users and suggest ways to improve accessibility and usage of e-resources in the library. The objectives of the study were to: identify electronic resources available in the library, examine the level of access and usage of electronic resources, explore challenges faced in accessing and using electronic resources, and find out how to improve access and usage of electronic resources. The study was informed by the Technology Acceptance Model created by Davis (1989). A case study design was employed in this study with the application of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A combination of purposive and simple random sampling techniques was employed to obtain 70 students, 30 lecturers, and 2 Librarians. Data were collected through a combination of methods (triangulation) including a standardized questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions, interviews, and observation.The quantitative data was analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 and Microsoft Word Excel (Windows 11) programs while qualitative data was analyzed by using content analysis methods and presented using frequency distribution tables and charts. The findings reveal thatthe NIT library has subscribed to e-resources such as e-books, e-journals, and databases for thesis which are key in providing current information to support teaching, learning, and research. The findings revealed that the level of use of e-resources at the NIT library is very low. The main challenges facing effective access and use of e-resources are shortage of training on e-resources, limited search skills, and high internet costs as well as inadequate ICT facilities such as computers, and network bandwidth. The study concludes that library users could exploit the benefits of e-resources in the library, however, several challenges need to be addressed beforehand.Therefore, this study recommends use of user education programs,provide adequate budgets to the library, and the government to equip academic libraries with the enabling infrastructure, and library skills training to increase skills in the use of computer applications and online library e-resources.

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