Utalisation of electronic books (E-Books) by postgraduate library and information science (LIS) students and librarians at the University of South Africa

Abstract

E-books have become a common feature in academic libraries since their adoption in the early 1990s. Unisa library is no exception. The aim of this study was to assess the utilisation of e-books by postgraduate library and information science students and librarians at the University of South Africa library. The current study was largely quantitative in nature but supplemented with qualitative data, with a survey and interviews being the research designs. The total sample was 336 postgraduate students for the quantitative component and 10 librarians for the qualitative section. The response rate of 25% from respondents was achieved while participants (librarians) achieved a 100% response rate. The response rate was low therefore was backed by empirical literature The study revealed that library and information science postgraduate students are aware of e-books at UNISA library, with 98.00% of the respondents having used e-books. However, librarians believe that the number of postgraduate students who are aware of e-books is smaller than those who are not. A total of 36.15% of the postgraduate students indicated that the Unisa library has not made commendable efforts in creating e-books awareness. Generally, the perceptions about e-books is positive for both librarians and postgraduate students in Unisa library. Overwhelming majority of 97.59% were in favour of continued investment in e-books by Unisa library. In terms of the embracing of technology, most postgraduate students (83.13%) own desktop computers while 73.49% own smart phones. There are many factors that still discourage the utilization of e-books, for example, unstable internet and high data cost as some of the hindering factors highlighted in the findings, especially when accessing e-books off campus. It is imperative that further training on the use of e-books at the Unisa library be provided to postgraduate students. The library should also develop a training manual which must be part of Unisa study material so that every registered student has a reference tool to help him/her in absence of personal or online training from the librarians. The research also recommended that a further study be conducted which will include all students from all colleges to find out their problems with utilisation of e-books.