Perceived usefulness of electronic Information resources in higher learning institutional libraries: a case selected universities in Mbeya city

This study was conducted in 2015 at Mbeya City's higher learning institutions with the general objective of determining user perceptions of the usefulness of electronic information resources available in their respective academic institutions. Specifically, the study aimed at identifying the available electronic resources in these libraries, the purpose for which library users access e-resources, their satisfaction with the available electronic resources in the library, and the constraints they encounter in using electronic resources. The study also sought to recommend strategies to enhance access and use of e-resources in academic libraries. The study was conducted at the university libraries of TEKU, SAUT, MUST and Mzumbe through the use of a mixed methods approach. Questionnaires, interviews and observations were used to collect data from 220 respondents randomly selected among students as the key library users. The study has established that libraries in the study area have various electronic resources such as Google books, and e-databases such as the emerald, JSTOR, and Asabe technical information. It was also found that usage of electronic resources in the universities under review revolved around research, learning and accessing new information. The respondents reported being more satisfied with the emerald database than other e-databases accessible in their respective university libraries. The lack of computers was a key problem constraining access to and use of e-resources. On the basis of these findings, the study recommends that university libraries should organise periodic training on the use of electronic resources for undergraduate students, adopt information literacy programmes and put marketing strategies in place to promote access and use of the library electronic resources.