DIGITAL INFORMATION LITERACY AND UTILIZATION OF  ELECTRONIC RESOURCES AMONG LIBRARY USERS AT LAIKIPIA UNIVERSITY, KENYA

Ngari E.W., Masinde J. ,Mageto S.

Ngari E.W., Masinde J. ,Mageto S.

Keywords: Digital Information Literacy, Electronic Resources, Postgraduate Students, Academic Libraries, Laikipia University.

Abstract

Electronic resources have become essential to postgraduate teaching, learning and research, but their academic value depends on users' ability to identify, search, evaluate and apply digital
information effectively. This article examined digital information literacy and utilization of electronic resources among library users at Laikipia University, Kenya. The study adopted a
mixed-methods case study design. Questionnaires were administered to 142 postgraduate students, of whom 140 responded, while interviews were conducted with all three senior librarians,
producing an overall response rate of 98.6%. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages, and qualitative interview data was analyzed thematically. The findings showed
that digital information literacy was moderate. More than half of the students (53.7%) had not received formal library training on electronic resources. Although 51.5% were confident or very
confident in searching for scholarly materials, only 40.7% were confident or very confident in evaluating the relevance and credibility of retrieved information; 44.3% were slightly confident or
not confident at all. Nevertheless, electronic resources were central to postgraduate work: 57.1% reported that they supported dissertations, theses, coursework and academic writing to a great or
very great extent, while 66.4% used them often or very often for research and academic writing.Librarians confirmed that training, awareness, lecturer recommendations and search competence
strongly shaped utilization. Major constraints included poor internet connectivity, authentication problems, limited awareness, complex platforms and inadequate digital literacy skills. It is
concluded that access alone does not ensure effective use. There is need for Laikipia University to institutionalize continuous, research-oriented digital information literacy training, strengthen
remote access and internet infrastructure, simplify platforms and expand proactive user support.