Access to and use of electronic journals by Postgraduate students at the National University of Rwanda libraries

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has transformed the way information is produced, processed, stored, accessed, disseminated, and used in contemporary societies. Consequently, several academic libraries, including the National University of Rwanda (NUR) Library and its branch libraries have introduced electronic journals to support learning, teaching, and research. However, there has been doubt whether the NUR communities, especially postgraduate students have been fully utilizing the electronic journals available at the University Library. The aim of this study was to investigate access and use of electronic journals by postgraduate students at the National University of Rwanda and propose measures to improve the access and use of e-journals at the institution. The specific objectives were to identify the ways used by postgraduate students to access information; to determine the databases containing e-journals preferred by postgraduate students; to analyze access and use of e-journals by postgraduate students; to identify factors that hinder the use of e-journals; and finally to suggest measures for improvement of access and use of e-journals at NUR. The study was guided by Borgman’s three elements of accessing the network. A mixed method approach was used in the collection of data, whereby both quantitative and qualitative approaches were applied. From a total population of 688 postgraduate students, a sample of 87 students, 18 library managers and trainers were selected for the study. Data was collected using interviews and questionnaires. The study findings indicate that postgraduate students use different branch libraries and Main Library sd4sd4to access information for the academic purposes. Postgraduate students access e-journals through NUR computer labs, their laptops and cyber café (internet). They also face problems in searching and retrieving information. It was also observed that inadequate awareness of the existence of e-journals, inadequate qualified staff, inadequate training, low skills in searching and retrieving and computer skills, poor infrastructure; insufficient number of computers and, poor power capacity and internet connectivity are limitations in the access and use of e-journals at NUR. The study recommends improvement of network connectivity, training users and staff on advanced search and retrieval techniques for both short and long terms, recruiting qualified and competent staff, developing policy for e-journals management, involving users in selection of e-journals and creating awareness of the existence of e-journals.