Awareness and utilization of e-book resources by undergraduate students: The case of public University Libraries in Kenya

Abstract

University libraries in Kenya have been providing e-books to users since 2003. Although the librarians have put much effort in creating awareness on the utilization of e-book resources by undergraduate students, statistics reveal low usage. This has been a cause for concern among the stakeholders who include the respective university management boards and librarians. This study, therefore, set out to investigate the utilization of e-book resources by undergraduate students in public university libraries in Kenya with a view to proposing a framework and appropriate strategies to enhance their use. The specific objectives of the study were to: examine the level of awareness of e-book resources by undergraduate students in public universities; analyse programs that facilitate awareness of e-book resources to undergraduate students; establish the factors that affect the use and non-use of e-book resources by undergraduate students; establish the perception of undergraduate students on e-book resources in comparison to other resources; ascertain the extent to which the e-book resources meet the expectations of undergraduate students; and propose a framework and recommendations of improving access and use of e-books by undergraduate students. The research was guided by the consumer behavioral theory by Engel, Kollat, and Blackwell Model of 1968 in mapping potential areas of intervention in awareness creation. The conceptual framework incorporated the 7ps marketing mix. Mixed methods including self-administered questionnaires, focus group discussions and face- to-face interviews were used in collecting data. Survey research design was used towards this end. Four public universities were purposively sampled from among thirty one public universities in Kenya. Third year undergraduate students were also purposively sampled from among undergraduate students. Non-probability sampling was employed for all respondents where the third year undergraduate students and lecturers were sampled through the use of quota sampling while for librarians in circulation and e-resources sections convenience sampling was used. Data was collected from third year undergraduate students, lecturers and librarians in the selected institutions. A questionnaire was distributed to three hundred third year students who were sampled from the population of undergraduates from four public universities. Further, focus group discussions were held with four groups of third years in respective universities. Face to face interviews were conducted with 20 lecturers and 12 librarians. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study found that most undergraduate students were not aware of e-book resources and therefore not clear on their benefits. Students preferred electronic information over and above print literature. To enhance use of e-books by undergraduate students there was need for redefined positioning of e-books. The study made several proposals which included among others: branding of e-books in the library; revised acquisition model; implementation of continuous monitoring and evaluation parameters; and restructuring of e-book awareness creation strategies using the proposed framework.