Assessment on Usage of the Library Website Resources by Students in the Information Studies Programme at the University of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

The study investigated students' usage of electronic resources available on the UDSM Library's website. Specifically, the study determined whether information studies students were aware of the electronic resources, how frequently they used them, and whether their demographic characteristics influenced their usage. The study also examined the students' satisfaction with the functional and non- functional attributes of the website resources. A mixed-methods research design combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods was used. The sample consisted of 118 student respondents who were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. The data were collected through questionnaires and interviews with class representatives and three library staff familiar with website design. The study employed content analysis to analyze the qualitative data and Statistical Product and Services Solution (SPSS) for chi-square tests to analyze the quantitative data. Observations were also made on aspects that could be observed, such as response speed and user interface. The results of the study reveal that the majority of respondents were aware of the electronic resources available on the UDSM Library website, and there was a relationship between awareness and the respondents' years of study. The study also found that most respondents frequently accessed and used the website's resources, and this was not influenced by gender. However, open- access repositories and e-books were preferred to subscribed resources and journals, respectively. Although respondents were generally satisfied with the quality of information resources, they were dissatisfied with some non-functional aspects of the website, including response speed, accessibility of information resources off-campus, and multiple and misleading user interfaces.