Utilisation of library resources and services at Busitema University

Abstract

The study examined utilization of library resources and services among staff and students at Busitema University. The objectives of the study were to: to find the relationship between perceived usefulness and utilization of library resources and services at Busitema University; to find the relationship between perceived ease of use and utilization of library resources and services at Busitema University; to establish the challenges encountered by students and academic staff in the process of utilization of library resources and services at Busitema University library and to propose strategies necessary to enhance utilization of library resources and services at Busitema University were framed to resolve the research question or general research objective. The study adopted a mixed research approach. I used the questionnaire and interview methods to collect data on access and usage of library resources and services among students and staff of Busitema University respectively. The population of the study comprised of the students and staff of Busitema University staff. The sample size of 351 respondents clustered as (staff-35 and students-316) was used in the study, with a response rate of 63.8% which was judged useful for data analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS v.20 software, while, content analysis was used for analysis of qualitative data. The finding of the study revealed under-utilization of library resources and services at Busitema University and as well established a positive and significant correlation between perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use with access and usage of library resources. The study concluded that there is a positive effect due to perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use with library utilization of resources and services. Further, findings of the study revealed low levels of information literacy, lack of motivation, limited training of library users, insufficient ICT infrastructure, poor internet facilities, information overload and inadequate funding as inhibitors to successful access and usage of library resources and services at Busitema University. The study recommends the following: the university leadership need to identify and appreciate the diverse inhibitors of access and utilization of library resources and map out strategies to deal with this problem; the designers of the library information access systems should enhance perceived usefulness either by adding additional functional capabilities to the system, or by making it easier to invoke the functions that are already in existence; that those in charge of developing access packages and systems should try to make the navigation and design layout easily understandable and less challenging to use; and lastly, universities should put in place policies and legislations to encourage usage of these strategies.