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Article
Publication date: 26 August 2014

Shamshad Ahmed and Anam Amjad

The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the satisfaction level of researchers with electronic resources as well as the uses, purposes, reasons and problems faced by them in…

2162

Abstract

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the satisfaction level of researchers with electronic resources as well as the uses, purposes, reasons and problems faced by them in using of these resources in the context of Pakistani Universities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper opted for a quantitative study using a questionnaire for survey. Response rate was 80 per cent and data were analyzed from 261 researchers of two universities of Pakistan. Five-point Likert scale ranked from “Dissatisfied” (5) to “Extremely Satisfied” (1) was used to evaluate the satisfaction level of researchers.

Findings

The paper found that mostly researchers were “Very Satisfied” with electronic resources though they faced problems in using of these resources.

Research limitations/implications

Research scholars from Faculty of Arts, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, and Bahauddin Zakariya University of Multan, Punjab, Pakistan, were included in this paper.

Practical implications

This paper advances knowledge about the current status of the use of university library electronic resources, helps librarians in Pakistani university libraries understand the information need of the researchers more specifically, and provides some guidelines for the efficient and effective use of these resources.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils the identified need of researchers and indicates how researchers can utilize electronic resources in a better way.

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 31 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 January 2007

Wu Shuling

In recent years, electronic resources have become the library's important storage of a university library, and the fund purchased electronic resources also increased quickly, year…

4089

Abstract

Purpose

In recent years, electronic resources have become the library's important storage of a university library, and the fund purchased electronic resources also increased quickly, year after year. In order to find out the readers' present conditions, difficulties and requirement of using e‐recourses, The Library of Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, carried out sampling, questioning and investigating of all teachers and students at campus. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of this investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation was carried out in 206.3 at the campus, and the investigative target involves teachers, scientific staff, gadre, graduate students, scientific staff, undergraduate students, and some training students, from 15 institutes in the whole university. It centers on seven subjects, deigns 24 question and 155 selective answers, and everyone is multilateral, 1,000 questionnaires were sent out, 909 reclaimed. The ratio is 90.9 percent.

Findings

The investigative result shows that: nearly half of the readers investigated are satisfied with e‐resources of our university. At present, the main way that reader's obtained rebases or literature is from traditional library storage. This illustrated that the printing literature obtained important functions. The e‐book does not substitute the traditional printed book. The construction of library storage should advocate the printed one. Readers selecting the printed and e‐book occupy the greatest majority. This shows that the two type of literature are not completely substituted, only mutually supple. The way readers liked obtaining information is to skim the homepage of the library. This indicated the homepage had become the important window to give publicity and serve the outside. It also shows the use of reading on screen, non‐familiarizing the structure and the retrieval method. Showing that the net condition and computer facilities are the main external factors.

Research limitations/implications

This paper analyses the consciousness of using e‐resources, and the ability of obtaining literature for university readers, by investigating some readers' utility of e‐resources at Shaanxi University of Science and Technology. Therefore the readers' range is limited.

Practical implications

In this paper the result from one side reflects every unit and layer personnel's utilizing condition and difficulty of e‐literature at the whole university. By investigating and analyzing, the work emphasis of the library is defined.

Originality/value

The investigating table does not only look into some teachers and students' utilizing condition, and readers' opinions and proposing to use the library's, but also obtains the disseminated fanfaron to all people using the library. By angling the result, it supplies theoretic foundation of e‐resources' order, storage's construction, readers' serve, etc.

Details

Library Management, vol. 28 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2004

Allen Thunell and Lisa Robinson

This paper gives suggestions for how remote access electronic resources could be described in bibliographic records and provides examples of such descriptive practices. These…

Abstract

This paper gives suggestions for how remote access electronic resources could be described in bibliographic records and provides examples of such descriptive practices. These practices are developed from principles expressed in the International Standard Bibliographic Description for Electronic Resources and promote a broadening of the concept of physical description as expressed in Chapter 9 of the Anglo‐American Cataloging Rules, 2nd edition. The paper encourages catalogers to reach beyond their comfort zone to create timely and patron‐friendly bibliographic records for electronic resources.

Details

OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, vol. 20 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1065-075X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 June 2023

Javaid Ahmad Wagay and Saurabh Dutta

This paper focuses on the use of e-resources by research scholars and post-graduate students at Kashmir University. The main aim is to determine the use of e-resources, users…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper focuses on the use of e-resources by research scholars and post-graduate students at Kashmir University. The main aim is to determine the use of e-resources, users skills in handling e-resources and the purpose of their use. Further, this paper aims to highlight the problems faced by research scholars and post-graduate students in accessing e-resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey was conducted through a structured questionnaire circulated among 250 research scholars, both (M.Phil./Ph.D.) and post-graduate students, from different departments of Kashmir University, and the response rate was 80%. Random sample method was used for the selection of respondents and interacting with them. The responses received from the research scholars to 14 questions are presented in the form of tables.

Findings

Major findings of the study reveal that the majority of the students reported using electronic journal resources for various purposes including working on assignments, research proposal writing, literature review writing, research report writing, current awareness and leisurely exploration of ongoing scientific debates through peer-reviewed papers. The challenges encountered in the use of electronic journal resources include a power outage, inadequate bandwidth, slow download speed, inability to access the resources from home, lack of training, lack of awareness, limited access to computers and difficulty in searching. The paper concludes that electronic resources have become an integral part of the information needs of research scholars’ post-graduate students at Kashmir University. Further, it finds that e-resources can be good substitutes for conventional resources, if the access is fast, and more computer terminals are installed to provide fast access to e-resources. Finally, recommendations for improving the use of electronic journal resources are provided.

Practical implications

The paper restrains the study exclusively to use of e-resources by the research scholars and post-graduate students of Kashmir University.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the use of e-resources by research scholars and post-graduate students of Kashmir University and makes some constructive suggestions for the improvement of electronic resources and services. This is the first time an effort has been made to assess the use of electronic resources by post-graduate students at Kashmir University. The study could be used to assess the post-graduate students’ needs for electronic resources at the Kashmir University and other users in higher learning institutions.

Details

Information Discovery and Delivery, vol. 52 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6247

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2016

Anajoyce Samuel Katabalwa

This paper aims to assess the use of electronic journal resource at the University of Dar es Salaam. The study involved the postgraduate students in the School of Education at the…

1756

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the use of electronic journal resource at the University of Dar es Salaam. The study involved the postgraduate students in the School of Education at the University of Dar es Salaam.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of questionnaires for postgraduate students and interview for the reference librarians was used, whereby 100 postgraduate students and six reference librarians were involved in the study. SPSS and content analysis were used to analyse the data.

Findings

Major findings of the study reveal that majority of the students reported using electronic journal resources for various purposes including working on the assignments, research proposal writing, literature review, research report writing, current awareness, leisure and for extra exploration of ongoing scientific debates through peer-reviewed papers. The challenges encountered in the use of electronic journal resources include power outage, inadequate bandwidth, slow download speed, inability to access the resources from home, lack of training, lack of awareness, limited access to computers and difficulty in searching. Finally, the recommendations for improving the use of electronic journal resources are provided.

Originality/value

This is the first time an effort has been made to assess the use of electronic journal resources by postgraduate students in the School of Education at the University of Dar es Salaam. The study could be used to assess the postgraduate students’ need for electronic resources at the University of Dar es Salaam and other users in higher learning institutions.

Details

Library Review, vol. 65 no. 6/7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 November 2012

Ming‐der Wu and Shih‐chuan Chen

This study aims to investigate graduate student perceptions of electronic resources, their search behaviour, and their usage patterns.

4192

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate graduate student perceptions of electronic resources, their search behaviour, and their usage patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted in a research‐oriented university, and participants included 18 graduate students from three disciplines: humanities, social sciences, and science and technology.

Findings

Graduate students are frequent users of electronic resources, particularly during the thesis‐writing period. Graduate students of science and technology perceive electronic resources to be considerably more important to their research and studies than students of other disciplines do. Few students use the metasearch tool to retrieve heterogeneous electronic resources in the library. Very few students use alert services to obtain updated information.

Originality/value

The findings of the study could help university librarians acquire an enhanced understanding of the usage behaviour of graduate students on electronic resources.

Article
Publication date: 18 November 2013

Natalee Knight

The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact of the e-library on the usage of library resources at Northern Caribbean University. The objective was also to determine…

2140

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact of the e-library on the usage of library resources at Northern Caribbean University. The objective was also to determine whether or not it is worthwhile to continue to invest in electronic resources in a period of declining library budgets and easy access to electronic resources via the internet.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from library statistical reports as well as from a survey administered to students and faculty on both the main and extension campuses over a four-week period. The population studied in the survey was 280 faculty members and 5,340 students. Of this number, a stratified random sample of 50 faculty members and 200 students was selected.

Findings

The study shows that the provision of e-library resources has increased overall usage of library materials as patrons continue to use print resources in tandem with electronic versions. The study also found that the electronic library resources are helpful to patrons and play an important role in enhancing access to library resources necessary for quality research papers and academic excellence on a whole.

Originality/value

It is hoped that the findings of this paper will serve to assist the librarians and faculty at Northern Caribbean University and other similar institutions in selecting and acquiring the most appropriate format of information resources that will both satisfy the needs of their library users and fit within their library budget. Recommendations for improving the e-library service include continuous collaboration between librarians and faculty in selecting and acquiring the most appropriate format of resources to support the curriculum and satisfy the users' needs, constant marketing of the resources and on-going training in their use, and periodic assessment of the collection to ensure quality and competitiveness in light of other readily available electronic resources on the internet.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 31 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2015

Rachel Ann Erb and Brian Erb

The purpose of this paper is to seek to ascertain how many electronic resource troubleshooting LibGuides are in use and what level of support they tend to provide. LibGuides have…

1442

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to seek to ascertain how many electronic resource troubleshooting LibGuides are in use and what level of support they tend to provide. LibGuides have become quite popular in academic libraries as a tool for subject and college liaison librarians to deliver library-mediated content to colleges and individual classes. Another promising area for their use is to provide electronic resource troubleshooting support to students and faculty, as well as to other library staff.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of electronic resource troubleshooting LibGuides was obtained through a Google advanced search augmented by additional searches in the limited LibGuides community search utility. These LibGuides were selected according to a standard definition of troubleshooting and were analyzed for content on 36 support variables.

Findings

A relatively small number of LibGuides were located, and a thorough treatment of electronic resource access issues was present in only a limited number of the LibGuides found.

Research limitations/implications

While some LibGuides may have gone undiscovered owing to an incomplete search strategy for discovery, subsequent efforts to find overlooked pages were mostly fruitless. The relatively small number of electronic resource troubleshooting LibGuides discovered coupled with their simplicity may indicate that the use of LibGuides platform in this capacity has not gained traction.

Originality/value

While there have been many case studies discussing the use of LibGuides as a subject and course guide platform, relatively few have explored the use of LibGuides outside of their traditional subject-focused implementation, and none have looked at LibGuides as a potential platform to aid in electronic resource access troubleshooting.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 33 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 September 2011

Ahmad Shabani, Fatemeh Naderikharaji and Mohammad Reza Abedi

The purpose of this paper is to study reading behavior in the digital environment based on demographic factors including faculty, degree and gender among higher education students…

1780

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study reading behavior in the digital environment based on demographic factors including faculty, degree and gender among higher education students of Isfahan University.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was survey descriptive using a researcher‐made questionnaire and data collection was accomplished using stratified random sampling method. The population of the study was the postgraduate students from seven faculties of Isfahan University. Different aspects of reading behavior were studied including the amount of reading of electronic resources, the style of reading electronic resources, the amount of annotating the electronic and print resources, the amount of printing out electronic documents for reading, and preference of reading medium.

Findings

The study showed that the amount of reading of electronic resources is highest in the students of technical and engineering subjects, while the amount of printing out of electronic documents is highest in the faculty of sciences. PhD students usually make use of scanning for reading electronic resources, whereas postgraduate students generally print out more electronic documents.

Practical implications

The findings of this study will help university authorities and digital libraries managers to provide better services to users and students.

Originality/value

With the advent of internet and computers, reading is not the same as in the past. Reading in the digital age has changed and this paper tries to give some insight about the reading behavior of students and their preferences and the differences based on faculty, degree and gender.

Details

Library Review, vol. 60 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 June 2014

Xianjin Zha, Jinchao Zhang and Yalan Yan

Individual differences are critical in determining how individuals think and behave in different ways. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of individual differences…

1903

Abstract

Purpose

Individual differences are critical in determining how individuals think and behave in different ways. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of individual differences on users’ perceptions of print and electronic resources in terms of ease of use, usefulness and usage in the hopes that a better understanding of these effects can help Chinese university libraries to meet the diversified information needs of their users more specifically and appropriately so that the second-level capability divide and third-level outcome divide of library information resources can be much reduced.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from 273 library users were used for data analysis. The independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and two-way ANOVA were employed. Meanwhile, the quantitative analysis is supplemented by the qualitative interviews which present richer data about the use of specific types of print and electronic resources.

Findings

The effect of basic characteristics (gender, age, field) and experience (experience with library print resources, experience with library electronic resources, which library resources were used first) on users’ perceptions of print and electronic resources in terms of ease of use, usefulness and usage was explored and discussed. Meanwhile, the two-way interaction effect was examined and 13 significant interaction effects were presented.

Originality/value

Building on the digital divide, this study examines ease of use, usefulness and usage in terms of individual differences which cover not only basic characteristics but also experience and two-way interaction, which the authors think provides a new view for library information resources research and practice alike in China.

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