E-RESOURCES COMPLEXITIES AND THEIR USAGE AMONG THE INFORMATION SCIENCE STUDENTS IN MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY, KIGALI CAMPUS

Abstract

This study intended to ascertain the usage of e-library resources among the undergraduate students at Mount Kenya University (MKU)-Kigali Campus by determining the awareness level, e-library resources accessibility complexities and the challenges faced by information Science students. The study employed the use of a descriptive statistical research design in which the questionnaire instrument was administered the 178 undergraduate respondents of Mount Kenya University, Kigali Campus. The analysis of the study indicated that a large number of the students were aware of the availability of electronic library resources through library notice board. However, students showed low awareness via other modes of communication such as colleagues (39.7%) for the undergraduate and 34.5% postgraduate, also only 6.4% of the undergraduate and 6.9% of were aware of the e-library resources through e-mail from the library. Many students indicated that they face challenges in accessing and using e-library resources and the main reasons put forward were lack of advanced information searching skills, information overload due to too much information available online. This implies therefore that there is a high need to improve on the awareness campaign via other modes of communication such as e-mails and seminars. Trainings and workshops on how to use e-library resources should be organized by the library staff and management so that the subscribed e-resources databases are used effectively and efficiently to maximize research in higher learning institutions. In conclusion, the study suggested that it would be important to establish information literacy programs so that students and the entire university community are acquainted with the use of electronic resources.