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Use and impact of electronic resources by information science students at Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

Munusamy Natarajan (Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia)

Collection Building

ISSN: 0160-4953

Article publication date: 2 October 2017

1643

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the use of electronic resources and services provided at the social science library of Jimma University, Jimma. The paper is focused to find out the use of those resources by the students of information science and how frequently they are using, from where the information is accessed. Also, they have been requested about their preferences between an electronic and print journal format.

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaire method is used for collecting the data from the undergraduate students of information science (2015/2016 batch). The questionnaire was distributed to 182 students, and the response rate 81.32 per cent was encouraging.

Findings

It has been found that the usage of e-journals is increasing; this is due to awareness among the students of information science about the e-resources and services. Owing to an easy access available at various places in the university, they are accessing these resources at hostels and departments more as compared to the library. Their visits to library have decreased.

Research limitations/implications

The study has been limited to Jimma University undergraduate students of information science only

Practical implications

It suggests for future improvised solutions.

Originality/value

The present paper will help other institutions to understand the need for library electronic resources and motivate them to update their resources in the larger interest of the students. The paper also indicates how a suitably designed survey can show the awareness and use of types of information services, in this case, e-journals. There is a dearth of such studies in India and abroad. The methodology and findings can be applied to other libraries to reveal similar trends, as well as comparisons.

Keywords

Citation

Natarajan, M. (2017), "Use and impact of electronic resources by information science students at Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia", Collection Building, Vol. 36 No. 4, pp. 163-171. https://doi.org/10.1108/CB-12-2016-0036

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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