Empowering lifelong learning : application of digital literacy skills among postgraduate students at Margaret Thatcher Library, Moi University

Abstract

Postgraduate students have lot of workload, which makes them to search for information in electronic resource databases. However, they require digital literacy skills to ensure they can access educational resources online effectively, supporting lifelong learning and research. Existing literature indicates that many users in Kenyan university libraries do not fully utilize electronic resources due to an inadequacy of digital literacy skills. Although electronic resources in libraries are globally acknowledged for aiding research, challenges persist due to technological advancements, necessitating digital literacy skills for effective searching, retrieval and utilization. The objective of the study was to investigate the level and application of digital literacy skills of postgraduate students in facilitating adequate usage of electronic resources. A mixed-method approach was adopted taking on survey design and utilizing concurrent parallel design when interpreting and deriving conclusions. Quantitative data was collected from postgraduate students and qualitative data from library staff. The sample consisted of 118 postgraduate students randomly sampled from 150 postgraduate students and 5 librarians out of 7 were purposively sampled. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis while quantitative data was analysed using frequency distribution and cross tabulation methods. Tables, charts, graphs and thematic discussions were used to present the data. The key findings of the study revealed that postgraduate students possess different levels of digital literacy skills, majority of postgraduates and librarian’s digital literacy skills were inadequate; majority of the respondents stated that ICT facilities were inadequate. The study concludes that the digital literacy skills of postgraduate students and librarians are inadequate and this limits the utilization of electronic resources. The study recommends librarians to offer regular digital literacy and electronic resources training to improve the level of digital literacy skills of postgraduate students, increase and improve on ICT facilities at Moi University Library.