Factors Influencing Utilization of Library E-Resources in Academic Delivery: The Case of Multimedia University of Kenya
Abstract
The study investigated utilization of library e-resources for academic delivery among faculty members of the Multimedia University of Kenya. The study sought to (a) Establish the benefit of library user education in library e-resources utilization; assess utilization frequency of library e-resources; explore the impact of utilizing library e-resources and identify the factors that hinder utilization of library e-resources. The study was informed by Technology Acceptance Model and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology theoretical frameworks. The study used descriptive survey research design with a population sample of seventy-One. Data collected using questionnaires distributed to faculty and analyzed using; Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Majority of the respondents rarely visited the library to access the e-resources since they have access to them from their offices or anywhere within the university. The study also revealed that the faculty members adopted e-resources for their teaching and learning and it greatly impacted their academic delivery. The major challenges faced when accessing and utilization of digital information was slow Internet, lack of adequate computers, lack of awareness and ICT skills. It is recommended that university stakeholders should formulate policies and ensure extensive training is offered to library users and provide hardware and software to increase reliability of internet connectivity and user awareness of e-resources services through effective marketing and promotion strategies to enhance utilization of e-resources by faculty to support academic delivery.