The transformative impact of current awareness services on promoting access and use of open access resources at the University of Zambia

Abstract

The study of open access usage in higher learning institutions in developing countries has been an area of concern over the past years due to the many opportunities it offers in academia, such as making available and accessible scientific research freely. As such, the University of Zambia’s library has strategically included open access resources in its collection. Despite this effort, the use of open access resources by the University of Zambia’s students and researchers has remained low. This study, therefore, purposed to identify and recommend appropriate current awareness services that the University of Zambia’s library could use to promote awareness and uptake of open access resources in the University. According to the literature review, no study has been done on the use of current awareness services to promote open access resource use at the University of Zambia. Further, the extent to which current awareness services have been used to promote open resources at the University is also not known. This study identified itself in the pragmatic paradigm and used the mixed methods approach and a case study-mixed methods design to investigate the problem. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology was used to provide the context for examining and explaining the study findings. Although the overall results revealed an average level of awareness and low usage of the open access resources among students and researchers, the majority regarded open access resources as very useful, relevant in their academic and professional work and of academic quality, hence had a positive perception. The identified challenges associated with open access use include lack of awareness due to inadequate marketing of open access resources, lack of effective user search skills, poor institutional infrastructure for accessing online resources and continued use of print materials. The study recommends the adoption of social media platforms, email/RSS/Google alerts, UNZA website, selective dissemination of information, WhatsApp groups, mobile phone alerts and vendor alerts to boost awareness. Other strategies include involving all stakeholders in promoting online resources, robust awareness programmes, enhanced training, improved Internet infrastructure and a user mindset change.