Use of e-library services at Mzuzu University Library by postgraduate students

Abstract

Mzuzu University provides various electronic library services or e-library services to its users. However, little is known regarding the specific use of e-library services by Mzuzu University postgraduate students. Therefore, this study investigated the use of e-library services by postgraduate students at Mzuzu University Library. This study addressed four objectives which are: determine the level of awareness of e-library among postgraduate students, ascertain the level of use of e-library by postgraduate students, find out the level of postgraduate students’ satisfaction with the e-library services, determine factors that contribute to the use of and factors that discourage the effective use of e-library services by postgraduate students. Apart from being guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and the Use of Technology (UTAUT) Model, the study was inspired by the Pragmatic School of Thought which is the basis for mixed methods research enabling the collection of quantitative and qualitative data from postgraduate students. A census was used to recruit postgraduate students while purposive sampling was used to identify two assistant librarians and a computer technician. Questionnaires were used to collect mostly quantitative data from 78 postgraduate students while interviews were conducted with assistant librarians and a computer technician. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to analyse quantitative data by producing tables, figures with frequencies, percentages and cross-tabulations and Chi-square tests. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Findings revealed that postgraduate students have high awareness of e-library services. However, the majority only knew two (internet and e-journals) out of ten e-library services which are offered at Mzuzu University Library. In terms of use, the study established that the most postgraduate used e-library services such as internet and e-journals, while the most frequently used e-library service on daily basis was the internet. The main purpose for using e-library services is research and the benefits of using e-library services were accessing information 24/7, finding relevant information, and performing well in academic endeavours. The majority of postgraduate students were satisfied with the usefulness of e-library services while also perceiving their skills for accessing e-library services not satisfactory. Overall, most postgraduate students were mainly satisfied with internet iv and e-journal services, and the majority were not satisfied with the rest of e-library services offered by Mzuzu University Library. Factors which influence the students’ use of e-library services are the availability of computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, website; training; and awareness as some of the factors which influence such use among postgraduate students. However, inadequate computers, slow internet; inadequate training, awareness; inadequate staff to support e-library service users as some of the factors which discouraged the effective use of e-library services.