Assessment of Utilisation of Electronic Library in Makere University

57
ASSESSMENT OF THE UTILIZATION OF MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES BY ACADEMIC STAFF:
CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS.
Didace Mulamira Agaba
Veterinary Medicine Library, Makerere University, P.O.Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
E-mail : agaba@mulib.mak.ac.ug
ABSTRACT: The study investigated the utilization of electronic information resources by the academic staff of Makerere
University in Uganda. It examined academic staff awareness of the resources’ availability, the types of resources provided
by the University Library , factors affecting their utilization, problems faced, and it offers recommendations for the way
forward. The study was both qualitative and quantitative in nature, employing questionnaire, interview and content analysis
methods. Findings reveal that the University provides most of the electronic information resources and most academic staff
were aware of their availability. Findings revealed a number of factors affecting electronic information resources’ utilization
and the problems academic staff face. Major conclusions are that despite a number of problems inhibiting use of these
resources, a number of academic staff are aware of the availability of these resources and some use them. Major
recommendations include among others: enhancing of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) network or
bandwidth, increasing the number of Information and Communication Technologies, decentralizing of service provision, and
increasing marketing strategies.
Introduction
Makerere University Library introduced a dial-up based
Internet service through a commercial Internet service
provider in 1997. The aim was to facilitate information
delivery by providing direct access to electronic
information resources via the Internet. The first Internet
access centre of the University was based in the Main
Library. As a result of this, Internet sites, World Wide
Web products, online search services, Compact-Disc
search services, etc.,...