Electronic Resources in a College Library

Electronic Resources in a College Library

1.1 Introduction

In this globalization era, electronic resources in the college library are no more alien. A library is an information centre that serves as a hub of teaching for most students. Electronic resources are responsible for providing information and knowledge, and these resources have a crucial role in the survival of such information. It is with no doubt that electronic resources form a vital part of college libraries. It is almost impossible for students to access the wealth of information that is available online from researchers around the world (Joo & Choi, 2015). The modern times have proven that libraries are not restricted to physical format resources; instead, they have provided to electronic resources. The growth of ICT has led to the shift of universities, from traditional print media to the use of electronic-driven services.  The use of e-resources does not necessarily occur in print services; instead, it facilitates their access electronically.

The current undergraduate students are a good representation of the new generation that can be called ‘digital natives.’ These people have been brought up having access to laptops, and hence they experience a lot of ease when using e-resources in college libraries. The modern-day college students opt to use online resources in comparison to published resources. Most of them prefer to use readily available website sources that contain search engines (Joo & Choi, 2015). The problem arises when most of the web sources are unreliable, and some are not credible. Online resources that are provided by the school libraries have proven to be accurate and more reliable than the easily accessible web information. Research shows that the accessibility of e-resources in most colleges has improved information access from 62% to 86% (Joo & Choi, 2015). The use of e-services has been inevitable with the ear of ICT. These resources have gradually reduced the cost of accessing materials while at the same time, ensuring that they meet the demands of the college students. The modern-day college libraries contain both print and non-print materials with devices that help students access information.

1.2 Definition

            Electronic resources or well known as e-resources, are materials that are assessable online. E-resources can also be described as products that can deliver data collection. These resources are an example of the many formats that libraries collect to support their universal collection e-books, e-journals, websites, and online database are some examples of e-resources. Other electronic resources include portable computer database and diskettes. Systems via which info is stored and made available through computer networks and other electronic systems can also be referred to as e-resources.

1.3 The awareness and use of Library electronic resources by the library users

            An empirical research conducted by Anaraki & Babalhavaeji (2013), it was discovered that the level of utilization and awareness of electronic resources in academic libraries in three compared universities was below average. This led to the proposition of informing students via training catalogues, emails, web services, and electronic billboards. With the low level of utilization and awareness of e-resources let to the making of the following recommendations:

1. Orientation classes and trainings programs in downloading and accessing electronic resources should be conducted among students in college and staff.
2. High-speed terminal computers should be installed in different parts of colleges including computer labs and departmental libraries (Anaraki & Babalhavaeji, 2013).
3. Online guides should be provided on the web pages of the libraries.
4. There should be increased number of e-journals available electronically for the college students as per their areas of specialization.
5. A plan to create a national center of information should be in place and funded by the government.
6. Library computer centres should also provide printing facilities for electronic journals at minimal or no cost in the three universities discussed in the study.

A study conducted by Sidorko & Yang (2009) showed that the libraries in the University of Hong Kong have for a long time enjoyed international reputation for providing a wide range of extensive research materials. The universities have shown cognizance of the presence of electronic resources and they have then refocused on supporting innovative use of IT in learning and teaching. These libraries have shifted to meet the demand and the current trends in the use of electronic resources. The innovative services in academic libraries have been backed up by the remodelling that is being done in the spaces. This is evidence enough that the libraries in the University of Hong Kong are well aware of electronic resources and are looking to implement them in their systems.

1.4 The satisfaction rate of these electronic resources

One of the ways that the effectiveness of library possessions and amenities is done is via measure the level of user satisfaction. The level of user satisfaction is contributed to by the library staff, the individual behaviour in the library, library technology, and library services. Research shows that library services influence the rate of user satisfaction (Kadir et al., 2016). The library is responsible for providing services such as free internet access, electronic services, and audio-visual services. Libraries are able to meet the user needs by providing a vast range of materials hence increasing the satisfaction of the users. The equipment and mechanical library infrastructure that aids in the functionality of a library should be appropriate and well-functioning (Kadir et al., 2016). Some of these facilities include computer networks as well as telecommunication. Library users have also stated that these facilities should have regular technical support to enhance the fulfilment of library consumers.

The technology of the library plays a huge part in enhancing the satisfaction of electronic resource users. To enhance satisfaction, it is essential for the library to provide its users with fast available internet. We all know that internet access plays a massive role in electronic resources access. There are colleges who chose to upload revision material on the e-learning platforms (Kadir et al., 2016). A study conducted in the University of Michigan students showed dissatisfaction in low internet access. Library staff also play a important role in the satisfaction of the users of electronic resources. The library requires a professional team who is able to handle knowledge and information. The library staff should have qualifications in library management and services. An assertive, proactive, positive, and highly motivated is likely to foster a productive relationship between them and the students and hence giving them the confidence to ask for guidance for those looking to use electronic resources. Individual behaviour also plays an essential role in the level of satisfaction in electronic resources. An individual who has knowledge of their seeking behaviour has a huge advantage in finding information that they are seeking to get, and this plays a significant role in the level of satisfaction (Sritharan, 2018). Those experiencing difficulties in accessing the information that they require are less satisfied with electronic services. The only person to blame for individual behaviour is ignorance and the lack of desire to study how to use electronic resources in academic libraries.

A research conducted by Sritharan (2018) reported the level of satisfaction of electronic service users in the library was highly influenced by the provision of free internet access. 60% of the research respondent agreed with the statement. Over 50% were satisfied with the level of subscriptions of electronic amenities. It is the duty of the college administration to conduct various researches among the students to determine the satisfaction level with the electronic resources offered in the library (Brett, 2018). They should be able to decide on the various way they could improve the satisfaction of the students so as to ensure they are comfortable and gain the most from these facilities.

1.5 Challenges of implementing electronic resources

            Some challenges experienced during the implementation of electronic amenities in the college library involve selection. The selection criteria for electronic resources is the same as that of print media, but the electronic resources seem to present unique challenges and hence may call for the implementation of a new selection policy. What most librarian would tend to ask is how selection criteria would be used (Walters, 2013). There are some issues that present themselves during the selection criteria, and that should be considered. Some of these issues include the needs of the user, vendor reliability, tools of storage, cost as well as staff expertise. The other challenge experienced revolves around the acquisition. Different academic libraries have different procedures of acquisition depending on the resources that are available and the general goal of the library. The acquisition procedures involve acquiring material as quickly and economically as possible.

The other challenge involves the preservation of digital information. Most library technicians experience challenges in archiving and preserving data. This challenge is most notably because of the deterioration of media over time (Walters, 2013). And the obsolesce of technological software and hardware. For libraries to provide continuous electronic information services, there is a need to not only have current information sources but also have those from the past. The other challenge experienced during implementation involves planning and budgeting. ICT infrastructure requires highly trained human resources which comes at a cost. It is expensive to install the whole information technology infrastructure. Ease access to internet services also comes at a cost. The final challenge is the issue of copyrighting (Walters, 2013). Libraries do not own the copyright of the materials that they contain in the libraries.

1.6 Change management in Academic libraries

            We must all learn to embrace changes in various fields. This digital age hat we are living in profound to numerous changes, and it has therefore prompted changes in the information services and libraries. Library staff should be ready to face new challenges that come with the implementation of various changes in the information sector (Tam & Robertson, 2002). Technology, socio-economic forces, and political agendas are some outside factors that prompt changes in libraries. Internal factors that prompt change in academic libraries include reorganization, reorientation, leaders, as well as new functions of the library. Changes do not happen by themselves, it is the people who make them happen, and changes require effective strategies to manage them (Tam & Robertson, 2002). Change management should start by giving the academic libraries all the facts in hand. This begins by leaders explaining what the changes are expected to benefit. This helps the staff to avoid any surprises that may come with change hence causing problems. The staff leader should take charge of acknowledging any issues that may arise as a result of implementing change.

Before an introduction of change is done, it Is essential to carry out a process of fact-finding so as to establish the objectives of implementing change. Excellent leadership skills come in handy when it comes to management of change in academic libraries. One of the leadership skills that come in handy in such place of work includes duty delegation depending on the capability of each staff in the library. It takes a resilient leader to conduct change management in academic libraries. The leader should ensure that the staff members are trained by an external organization on how to manage changes. Colleges have for a while given their agenda on strategic and change management (Tam & Robertson, 2002). Some of the agendas involve bringing about a staff structure that enables expertise to devote to operational planning and clearly stating the job description for all posts and emphasizing on staff flexibility.

Framework for change management

            Alignment- to enable the reinvention of academic libraries to their objectives and purposes that serve their users better, they need to understand the challenges that lies ahead of them even before implementing change (Knight, 2017). They also need to contemplate on the changes that the system of higher education is experiencing and this is most especially relating to the student’s demographic and millennials’ expectations. Every action that is to be implemented must align with the main purpose of providing sustenance in teaching and learning. While implementing change, they should also align with the basic requirements of social life to allow them to successfully transition to the wider environment. These changes should also align with the library staff (Knight, 2017). Library staff are responsible for ensuring that its users gain total satisfaction.

Agility- Modern academic libraries changes have been caught between the expectations of patrons and those of tradition, of modernization (Knight, 2017). This approach tends to hinder the likelihood of a library to adapt and respond quickly to changes. The principle of agility is very crucial when it comes to contemporary libraries and this is because the needs of the users keep on changing. College libraries should therefore express a certain degree of agility so as to allow smooth transition to changes.

Accessibility- The key principle role of any academic library is to eliminate the barrier of information access (Knight, 2017). To achieve universal accessibility of information in the library, it is necessary to remove any technological, physical, financial and educational barriers. Any change that is to be implemented should ensure that it contributes to the fundamental role of academic libraries.

Competition-collaboration continuum-  The possibility of change champions to endanger new systems in academic libraries is always high (Knight, 2017). Even as change is being implemented, it is essential to achieve a degree of balance. The degree of balance is referred to as competition-collaboration continuum.

1.7 The rise of new technologies as drivers of change

            As time goes by, technology continues to evolve and become more integrated in society. As technology changes, the way college libraries are managed also continues to change. The use of innovating technology is one change that we presume to see in academic libraries (Wenborn 2020).  The 2017 reports by NMC Horizon Library Edition suggest that in the future, most academic libraries will adopt technology in information, learning, and conducting research. This will most definitely not be something new for the academic libraries, but reports reference the application of new technology. The adoption of the latest technology will allow colleges to the unit across the globe and towards achieving the same goal of information sharing hence diversity. It means that academic libraries will help students have improved access to resources and other scholarly materials (Wenborn 2020). The new technological innovations will help in the collection and preservation of online content, and hence it will also improve and redefine access by researchers.

The improved access to digital resources will, for sure affect the role of professional library staff. It will require the library staff to learn new skills that will help in the dissemination of their new duties. This could lead to an elevated focus on the development of academic libraries (Wenborn, 2020).  New technological innovations in the academic libraries will lead to advance management of digital data that could, in return, result in more accuracy when it comes to research and citation of certain subjects. It is clear that technology innovations will affect the evolution of library space. Changes will be experienced in the way libraries were used before. Therefore, most libraries will be working towards fitting in the increasingly digital world (Wenborn 2020). In the next 20 to 30 years, we can expect to see academic libraries in colleges to go completely paperless.

References

Anaraki, L. N., & Babalhavaeji, F. (2013). Investigating the awareness and ability of medical students in using electronic resources of the integrated digital library portal of Iran. The Electronic Library.

Brett, K. (2018). A comparative analysis of electronic resources accesses problems at two university libraries. Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship, 30(4), 198-204.

Joo, S., & Choi, N. (2015). Factors affecting undergraduates’ selection of online library resources in academic tasks. Library Hi-Tech.

Kadir, M. R. A., Ab Ghani, R., Bakar, A. A., Bunawan, A. A., & Seman, M. R. (2016). User Satisfaction with Electronic Resources. Journal of e-Learning & Higher Education, 2016, c1-13.

Knight, J. A. (2017). Academic librarians as change champions: a framework for managing change. Library Management.

Sidorko, P. E., & Yang, T. T. (2009). Refocusing for the future: meeting user expectations in a digital age. Library Management.

Tam, L. W., & Robertson, A. C. (2002). Managing change: libraries and information services in the digital age. Library Management.

Walters, W. H. (2013). E-books in academic libraries: challenges for discovery and access. Serials Review, 39(2), 97-104.

Wenborn, C. (2020). How Technology Is Changing the Future of Libraries. Retrieved 21 March 2020, from https://www.wiley.com/network/librarians/library-impact/how-technology-is-changing-the-future-of-libraries