| dc.description.abstract | Purpose – Uganda has gone a step forward in ensuring that information resources available for
researchers and students are maximally utilized. Academic and research libraries are participating in
supporting and achieving the missions of their respective institutions by teaching the competency of
information literacy (IL). This paper seeks to examine the effect IL has had on the usage of electronic
information resources in academic and research institutions in Uganda. It aims to focus on the
innovations that Makerere University Library (the biggest and oldest academic library in Uganda) has
undertaken to ensure that library users (the Makerere University community and other collaborating
universities and research institutions in Uganda) are trained on how to access a variety of available
information resources, evaluate the information and apply it to address their needs.
Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected for the study using interviews to both library
staff and users of the selected institutions: two library staff in charge of e-resources and ten
students/researchers were interviewed from each institution. However, user statistics for the years
2004-2005, as well as the IL training sessions conducted, were the main sources of information. The
study focused on academic and research institutions – Makerere University, Uganda, Martyrs
University, Nkozi and National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS). The researcher is physically
involved in the IL program in Makerere University. The usage statistics were compiled and interpreted.
Findings – The paper finds that availability of information does not necessarily mean actual use.
The study shows that some of the available resources have not been utilized at all. This means that
users are not aware of the availability of such resources, they do not know how to access them, or they
do not know what the resources offer. All this calls for continued information literacy programs. IL is
very vital in influencing utilization of e-resources. Information professionals are needed to pass on IL
skills to library users, while library users should endeavor to find out what information is available
online for their consumption. Their attitudes and perceptions also influence the level of utilization.
Originality/value – The paper shows the extent of information literacy and its influence on
electronic resources in Uganda. It points out the challenges for the future and provides a number of
recommendations for the way forward, which will be helpful both to the relevant communities in
Uganda and to other academics in similar circumstances. | en_US |
