Utilisation of subscribed electronic resources by library users in Mzumbe university library, Tanzania

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the utilisation of subscribed e-resources at Mzumbe University (MU) main library. The study involved academic staff, undergraduate (third-year) students and postgraduate students of MU.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a mixed-method research design using cross-sectional and case study research designs. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Quantitative data were analysed using statistical package for the social sciences version 20 and Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, and qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

The findings revealed that participants were moderately aware of the library-subscribed e-resources, and the major barriers that caused underutilisation were unstable network connectivity and lack of searching skills. It was recommended that MU Library should equip library users with intensive training on information searching skills to increase utilisation of the subscribed e-resources. Furthermore, it was strongly recommended that the library should market its subscribed e-resources to attract more users.

Originality/value

Many papers have been written on electronic resources, but this study specifically focussed on subscribed resources, and it is the first time that an investigation has been done on utilisation of subscribed electronic resources by library users in MU. The results of the study could be useful for MU Library and other academic libraries in Africa in ensuring that there is high utilisation of subscribed e-resources.

Citation

Isibika, I.S. and Kavishe, G.F. (2018), "Utilisation of subscribed electronic resources by library users in Mzumbe university library, Tanzania", Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, Vol. 67 No. 1/2, pp. 109-125. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-09-2017-0075