scholarly journals Provision and Awareness of Digital Library Resources in a Multi-Mode University: Perspectives of Distance Learners and Librarians.

2020 ◽  
pp. 53-76
Author(s):  
CHRISTOPHER M. OWUSU-ANSAH
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Distance Learners ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Digital Reference ◽  
Digital Reference Services ◽  
Digital Contents ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Multi Mode

The purpose of the study was to explore the extent to which digital library provision affects awareness and use of digital contents, digital reference services, and information literacy among stakeholders in distance education at a large multi-mode public teacher education university in Ghana. The study makes use of the concurrent mixed-method design. The population of the study was 1,834 distance students with a sample size of 641 distance learners reading programmes in Basic Education in three distance education Centres of the University of Education, Winneba namely Winneba (247), Kumasi (276) and Asante-Mampong (118). A total of 453 (70.67 percent) distance learners, selected randomly, completed a 31-item questionnaire. Also, the population consisted of four librarians from three Campuses in the vicinity of the Centres. A combination of probability and non-probability sampling methods were used for this study. The study found that awareness and use of digital library resources in the three distance education Centres were very low, if not non-existent. The findings revealed that for all the three main classes of digital library resources and services; digital contents, digital reference services and educative services, provision was very poor or non-existent for the distance learning community. This negatively impacted awareness and use of these resources. Among others, the study recommends a regular collaborative needs assessment of distance learners; establishment of dedicated library services for distance education; and the development of embedded library services which can appreciably raise the visibility of digital library resources in distance education. Keywords: Digital library provision; distance learning community; awareness; multi-mode; academic libraries in Ghana.

Factors Influencing the Use of Digital Libraries in Distance Education in Ghana

Libri ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Owusu-Ansah ◽  
Antonio Rodrigues ◽  
Thomas Van Der Walt
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
General Information ◽  
Distance Learners ◽  
Academic Tasks ◽  
Library Use ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
The University

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which individual factors such as academic tasks, preference for print sources and information skills influence distance learners’ use of digital libraries in a teacher distance education programme at the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana. The population of the study consisted of 1,834 distance students and from a sample size of 641 distance learners spread across three distance study centers, namely, Winneba (247), Kumasi (276) and Asante-Mampong (118). A total of 453 (70.67 percent) distance learners, selected randomly, completed a 31-item questionnaire. In addition, 30 distance education tutors, four coordinators and four librarians were purposively selected to participate in the study. The findings showed that academic tasks of distance learners did not require them to use digital library resources, which resulted in low or no academic use of digital libraries. The findings also pointed to a high preference for print resources among distance learners which resulted in the low use of digital library resources. Finally, it was noted that even though most of the distance learners possessed basic ICT skills, this did not result in their of use of digital library resources. To improve digital library use in distance education, it is recommended that academic librarians seek and foster collaboration in teaching information literacy and library instruction in distance education, an approach which must be backed by a policy that mandates the use of (digital) library scholarly resources in teaching and learning in distance education. It is also recommended that the Centre for Distance Education and the University Library collaborate to offer training programmes in specific digital resources and general information literacy courses for all distance education stakeholders in the university to boost digital library use.

Managing Change in Reference and Information Services in Digital Environment

2010 ◽  
pp. 160-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shantanu Ganguly ◽  
Shweta Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Direct Access ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Digital Environment ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Digital Reference ◽  
Digital Reference Services ◽  
Pertinent Question

Libraries and librarians are no longer the sole providers of reference and information services. Reference services have traditionally played a crucial role in the delivery of library services both in the public and academic spheres. However, developments in Web technologies have seen the emergence of online or digital reference services, which many initially feared sought to replace the traditional library-based personalized service. A digital library is not merely a means of access to information over the network. As long as “library” word is attached to the concept, a digital library does and should care about users and communities that are in need of information and services just like conventional libraries. “Services”, therefore, should be one of the crucial aspects of digital libraries. In the recent trend, reference services have taken a central place in library and information services. Sometimes, they are also regarded as personalized services since in most cases a personal discussion takes place between a user and a reference librarian. The librarian point to the sources that are considered to be most appropriate to meet the specific information needs of the user. Since the Web and digital libraries are meant for providing direct access to information sources and services without the intervention of human intermediaries, the pertinent question that appears is whether we need reference services in digital environment, and, if so, how best to offer such services. This chapter looks at the inevitable change taking place in the platform of reference services.

Providing digital reference services: a Namibian case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 342-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilhelm Uutoni
Keyword(s):  
Reference Model ◽  
The Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Descriptive Case Study ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Digital Reference ◽  
Digital Reference Services ◽  
Staffing And Training

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate digital reference services at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Namibia (UNAM) library. Two aspects were evaluated, namely, “resources” and “elements of the general digital reference model”. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a descriptive case study approach and used qualitative research methods, which comprised interviews and an observation checklist. The population consisted of librarians working at NUST and UNAM Library. Findings The research findings showed that these libraries used the general digital reference model in providing responses to the library users. The study established that the two libraries did not follow the International Federation of Library Associations and Reference and User Services Association standards of staffing and training of librarians working with digital reference services. The study further found that a lack of ability to fully demonstrate to users how to access various library services was one of the major problems that the librarians experienced. Research limitations/implications The study was limited to two academic libraries: UNAM and NUST. Originality/value The study could contribute to a better understanding of digital reference services provided by NUST and the UNAM libraries and contribute to the body of knowledge on the subject of digital reference services, especially in an African context, where few studies have been conducted on this subject. The two libraries could use the findings to improve digital reference services, plan for intervention and develop the services.

Factors influencing the adoption of digital reference services among the university librarians in Pakistan

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1225-1246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asad Khan ◽  
Mohamad Noorman Masrek ◽  
Khalid Mahmood ◽  
Saima Qutab
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Ict Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Utaut Model ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Digital Reference ◽  
Digital Reference Services ◽  
The University

Purpose This study aims to explore the factors affecting the adoption of digital reference services (DRS) among the university librarians in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach Based on the adapted unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model, the proposed study tested 12 hypothetical relationships through structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques. The study approach was quantitative based on a questionnaire distributed online to a sample of Pakistani university librarians and completed by 289 respondents. The questionnaire used in this study was developed from other validated instruments used in past empirical studies. Descriptive and inferential data analyses were performed through SPSS and AMOS for SEM. Findings The results revealed usefulness, ease of use and information and communication technology (ICT) skills as the significant predictors of the adoption of DRS. However, moderating influence of the demographic factors (age, gender and type of library) on the relationship of predictors with outcome variable was found insignificant. The findings of this study imply that individuals’ readiness for the adoption of DRS is present in the university libraries of Pakistan. Originality/value In the context of Pakistan, this study was the first attempt that investigated factors of the adoption of DRS at individual level. In addition, two new factors – namely, ICT skills and library type – were incorporated into the UTAUT model and were then evaluated in the Pakistani context. However, these two factors were found insignificant in influencing librarians towards the adoption of DRS. The intended study is equally useful for librarians in other countries in terms of understanding the factors that impact the effective adoption of DRS.

scholarly journals Digital reference services: a snapshot of the current practices in Scottish libraries

2004 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gobinda Chowdhury ◽  
Simone Margariti
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Knowledge Domains ◽  
University Library ◽  
Digital Reference ◽  
Digital Reference Services ◽  
The University ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Current Practices

Discusses the current practices followed by some major libraries in Scotland for providing digital reference services (DRS). Refers to the DRSs provided by three academic libraries, namely Glasgow University Library, the University of Strathclyde Library, and Glasgow Caledonian University Library, and two other premier libraries in Scotland, the Mitchell Library in Glasgow and the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh. Concludes that digital reference services are effective forms of service delivery in Scotland’s academic, national and public libraries, but that their full potential has not yet been exploited. E‐mail is the major technology used in providing digital reference, although plans are under way to use more sophisticated Internet technologies. Notes that the majority of enquiries handled by the libraries are relatively low‐level rather than concerning specific knowledge domains, and training the users to extract information from the best digital resources still remains a challenge.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document