Awareness and Utilization of Electronic Resources by Postgraduate Students at Pan Africa Christian University Library, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

According to the American Library Association, utilization of electronic resources in the developed world is at a high level due to awareness, accessibility and high impact coupled with relatively few challenges faced during their utilization. In the developing world, compared to the developed world, the usage is at a medium level due to a medium level of awareness and accessibility, with relatively high impact but also with quite a few challenges. In Kenya, in spite of many challenges and a medium level of awareness and accessibility, there is the usage with some positive impact. Because of these benefits of electronic resources, Pan Africa Christian (PAC) University has availed them for use by the university’s postgraduate students. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to establish the relationship between awareness and utilization of electronic resources by the postgraduate students at PAC University Library so as to enhance and promote their use by the postgraduate students. 65 Questionnaires were administered to the purposively selected sample. Findings indicate that the postgraduate students are aware of, access and utilize the electronic resources at PAC University. Some of the challenges cited include the need for more computers to be provided for use at the library and better quality internet connectivity. The study recommends an increase in the number of computers provided for use at the library and provision of improved internet connectivity within the university.

Keywords: Awareness, Electronic resources, Utilization.

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