Remote access, use, and management of library resources by select School of Social Sciences postgraduate students and librarians in the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Pietermaritzburg campus.

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the remote access, use and management of library resources by the select school of social sciences postgraduate students and librarians at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus. The study adopted a quantitative and qualitative research approach, with quantitative being the major approach. The post-positivism research paradigm was used and applied Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process model, anchored on the social constructivism approach and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology developed by Venkatesh, Morris, Davis, and Davis (2003) based on social cognitive theory. The study target was 108 respondents, which included 100 postgraduate students and eight Subject Librarians from the UKZN, Pietermaritzburg campus. A purposive sampling technique was adopted for the study, and a mathematical formula suggested by Taro Yemen (1970), n = N/1+N(e)2 was used to determine the sample size of the postgraduate students. The total response rate of the respondents was 75(69%). Survey questionnaires were used to solicit quantitative data from postgraduate students, while interview schedules were used for qualitative data from the subject librarians. Self-administered questionnaires were sent to participants (students) via email to complete and return, and interviews were conducted with service providers via Zoom. Quantitative data were analysed through Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), and the qualitative data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings of the study revealed that postgraduate students accessed and used library electronic resources remotely, and the findings also indicate the availability of e-resources and services at the UKZN library. However, the electronic resources were not used to the maximum due to challenges such as inadequate literacy skills, financial constraints, technical and network problems, lack of search skills and inadequate knowledge to navigate through the databases. Moreover, students experienced download delays and limited subscribed titles. The researcher recommends that the university devise ways to help students get on board for training, as this will enable them to know what’s available and how to get access to the library’s e-resources. Likewise, the study proposed the need for extensive marketing and awareness of library e-resources, and most importantly the use of databases. Furthermore, strategies should be employed to enhance information literacy and self-efficacy.