Abstract
PurposeThis study aimed to establish the use of electronic learning centres in public libraries in the city of Johannesburg, which is under one of the biggest metropolitan municipalities in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research approach was adopted, and questionnaires were used to collect primary data. The target population for this study was the entire users of the electronic learning centres and librarians in the public libraries within the city of Johannesburg.FindingsThe findings of this study revealed that there are different services, levels of awareness and training.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was limited to public libraries in the city of Johannesburg. Academic, special and mobile libraries were not included in this study because they were not open to the general public. Users who were not using the electronic learning centres were excluded from this study.Practical implicationsAdequate use and awareness of services of electronic learning centres in public libraries are instrumental in the satisfaction of users’ needs using the electronic learning centres. The suggestions of this study will be useful to decision makers and heads of the electronic learning centres on how to enhance the use of the electronic learning centres in the city of Johannesburg.Originality/valueThis paper establishes the use of electronic learning centres in public libraries in the city of Johannesburg, which is under one of the biggest metropolitan municipalities in South Africa.
Highlights
The availability of electronic learning centres in public libraries plays a huge role in remodelling training and leisure. Abumandour (2020) points out the role of public libraries in spreading and supporting the electronic learning system
In response to training received by library staff (95.5%) of the 22 respondents to this question indicated that they received training, whereas 4.5% (n = 1) indicated that they did not receive training on electronic learning centres services, the library staff was asked about the training they received, the majority (20; 91%) of respondents’ received training on electronic learning programmes, followed by 19 respondents (86%) who received electronic resources training
According to Snead (2014, p. 467), public libraries frequently lack the resources needed to adequately develop library technology solutions and train personnel to deliver services, or they lack government financial support for service development and delivery. This quantitative study reports on the preliminary results from only two regions in the city of Johannesburg public libraries, and it sought to establish the use of electronic learning centres
Summary
The availability of electronic learning centres in public libraries plays a huge role in remodelling training and leisure. Abumandour (2020) points out the role of public libraries in spreading and supporting the electronic learning system. Review of E-learning library services the study was informed by the technology acceptance model (TAM) to determine the use of electronic learning centres by users at Johannesburg city libraries. To determine different services available and accessible, users of Sandton Library (Region E) and Johannesburg City Library (Region F) were asked the following questions on electronic learning centres. The results revealed different answers and are presented below: more laptops are needed, strengthen internet connectivity and do more marketing on e-learning centres; host regular e-learning programmes and give the public the necessary skills needed for using the e-learning machinery and having more librarians to assist; more awareness, regular updates on notice boards, flyers, notices directing to the site; stable internet access and capacity of equipment (devices); it should cover both literate and illiterate clients to bridge the digital divide, providing adequate programs and awareness of library e-learning centres; security update must be done for libraries, and more resources must be bought; training programs and tech-savvy librarians; and e-learning centres must reopen because most are closed due to COVID-19 regulations. According to Snead (2014, p. 467), public libraries frequently lack the resources needed to adequately develop library technology solutions and train personnel to deliver services, or they lack government financial support for service development and delivery
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