Improving Access to Electronic Resources (ER) Through Usability Testing

Objective:Paired with the high cost of providing access to electronic resources in medical libraries, the inefficient use of these resources highlights the need for more efforts to promote these resources than ever before. In this study, electronic resource marketing methods were prioritized and the best strategies were determined using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP).Methods:Using an analytical survey of officials of medical libraries, the most common methods for marketing electronic resources in libraries were determined and divided into categories of strategies. Five important criteria for marketing strategies were also selected. Using the analytical hierarchy process, pairwise comparisons were performed between the alternatives (i.e., strategies), which were evaluated against the selected criteria. Data analysis was performed using Expert Choice 11 software.Results:A total of 44 electronic resource marketing methods were identified and categorized into 4 strategies. On average, 43.9% of these methods were used by the surveyed libraries. The analytical hierarchy process showed that simplicity was the most important criterion and that communication networks were the best electronic resource marketing strategy. Home/off-campus access, group training, library search stations, and marketing by individual librarians were the most preferred methods of marketing electronic resources.Conclusion:With the availability of a variety of different methods for marketing electronic resources, medical libraries must select strategies based on important criteria depending on the characteristics of the library, librarians, and users. Thus, the analytical hierarchy process can be an effective and practical solution to decision-making by mathematically prioritizing the selection of the best strategies from a set of alternatives based on differentially weighted criteria.

<p>Electronic resources (ERs) in academic libraries have become a global phenomenon, and as libraries rely more on these resources managing them effectively becomes crucial. Electronic resource management (ERM) has consequently become a core function which many academic libraries around the globe appear to find challenging to implement effectively. Challenges of managing ERs are particularly pronounced in developing countries such as Ghana where the introduction of ICTs has typically been characterised by inadequate resources. Although there is an extensive literature on both the management and use of ERs, little research has studied how the two aspects could affect each other. Ineffective management of ERs could negatively affect their use; likewise, low usage of ERs could negatively impact on the management of these resources. Studying the concepts of management and usage of ERs together would result in better recommendations to inform practice and eliminate the challenges. In addition, the literature on the management of ERs is predominantly centred around libraries in the developed country context. Moreover, academic libraries in Ghana do not appear to be effective in managing ERs. There is a lack of understanding on how academic libraries in Ghana are managing ERs, and the ways in which this is affecting their usage and vice-versa. The study therefore fills the gaps by exploring the connection between the management and usage of ERs in academic libraries in a developing country context. Placed within a post-positivist worldview, this mixed-methods research employed a multiple case study approach, involving two public and two private universities in Ghana. Stakeholders included in the study were library staff, faculty, students, and consortium executives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with library staff and members of the governing council of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Ghana (CARLIGH) concurrently with surveys of faculty and postgraduate students of the institutions investigated. These were supported by document analysis. To guide data collection and analysis, the Techniques for Electronic Resource Management (TERMS) framework (Emery & Stone, 2013), and an initial conceptual model of factors developed using constructs from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) (Venkatesh, Morris, Davis & Davis 2003) and the literature underpinned the study. The interview findings revealed inadequate planning for ERs in the case institutions owing to operational challenges including inadequate policies for ERs, inadequate funding, and understaffing. Although efforts were being made to follow standard procedures some components of ER workflow were absent in both public and private case libraries, whereas other aspects of the workflow were responsibilities of parties external to the libraries. The document analysis showed that, the total average completeness of collection development policies of case libraries was 25% which indicated the lack of vital elements in these policies. The survey findings showed a generally low awareness and usage of ERs by faculty and students due to inadequate promotional efforts by the case libraries, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of relevant content. Consequently, respondents had a negative perception on the usefulness of the ERs which may have caused the observed low usage. The study also found three main factors as affecting the management and usage of ERs in academic libraries in Ghana which were governmental, organisational and individual factors. Governmental factors such as regulations on staffing, inadequate funding, and nationwide rationing of electricity supply were hindrances. At the organisational level, an enabler was collaboration with stakeholders, whereas obstacles included inadequate policies, staffing challenges, resource-related factors, lack of investment for sustainability, centralised management structure, low institutional commitment, poor communication, and low usage of ERs. Enabling individual factors consisted of religious beliefs, social influence, oral information, and interest in IT. Hindering individual factors comprised negative effects of oral information, resistance to change, fear of speaking against authority, reluctance to submit contents to institutional repository, negative perception on the ERs and lack of time. The findings also established various ways in which the management and usage of ERs affected each other. Low user input in the selection of ERs, access related challenges, inadequate publicity, training, and evaluation of ERs negatively affected the usage of ERs. However, case libraries that occasionally allowed users to schedule training sessions observed increased attendance to training with a corresponding increase in ER usage, which provided a basis for institutional budgetary support. On the other hand, failure of users to attend training programmes after signing up, low referral of students to the ERs by faculty and low usage of ERs of the library negatively affected ERM particularly in the areas of budgeting for ER subscription and sustainability. However, faculty and students facilitated the management of ERs of the library in terms of creating awareness of the ERs among their colleagues and peers, and also accessing the resources using mobile devices to supplement the library’s inadequate computers. The TERMS framework and initial conceptual model of factors were revised based on the findings. The study adds to the Library and Information Science research relevant to the understanding of the management and usage of ERs, factors affecting both concepts and how these two concepts are related. In addition, the study contributes to practice by recommending strategies for effective ERM to encourage increased usage of ERs. It is also hoped that academic libraries in other developing countries can draw lessons from the findings. The study also provides advanced countries with a deeper insight to guide them in providing support to developing countries. The findings also have implications for policy and decision makers in terms of prioritisation and allocation of resources for effective ERM and usage in academic libraries as contemporary issues are revealed. Keywords: Academic institutions, Academic libraries, Electronic resources, Electronic resources in Africa, Electronic resource management, Electronic resource usage</p>

The rapid expansion of digital technologies in Nigerian university libraries has created increased opportunities for postgraduate students to access electronic information resources. However, effective use of these resources depends largely on students’ digital competencies, particularly their computer literacy and information retrieval skills. Despite significant investments in digital infrastructure across South East Nigeria, concerns persist regarding whether postgraduate students possess the skills required to maximize these resources for academic research. The study adopted a correlational design to examine how postgraduate students’ digital skills relate to their use of electronic information resources in university libraries across South East Nigeria. The study involved all 172 Library and Information Science postgraduate students in five universities, using a census approach. Data were collected through a validated researcher-designed test and questionnaire. Trained research assistants supported data administration. Pearson correlation and regression analyses were used to determine the strength and predictive power of relationships among variables, with hypotheses tested at a 0.05 significance level using SPSS version 24. The findings show a strong positive correlation (r = 0.81) between postgraduate students’ basic computer literacy skills and their use of electronic information resources. Regression results also confirmed a significant relationship, with 65.9% of the variation in electronic resource use explained by computer skills, leading to rejection of the null hypothesis. In contrast, information retrieval skills showed a weak correlation (r = 0.16) with electronic resource use, and regression analysis revealed no significant relationship. Only 2.66% of the variation could be attributed to information retrieval skills, resulting in acceptance of the null hypothesis for this variable. Findings revealed a strong and significant relationship between basic computer literacy and electronic resource use, while information retrieval skills showed a weak and non-significant correlation. The study concludes that although computer literacy plays a major role in resource utilization, more attention is needed in strengthening students’ retrieval competencies. It recommends targeted digital literacy programmes to enhance research productivity and effective use of electronic resources.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact of the e-library on the usage of library resources at Northern Caribbean University. The objective was also to determine whether or not it is worthwhile to continue to invest in electronic resources in a period of declining library budgets and easy access to electronic resources via the internet. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from library statistical reports as well as from a survey administered to students and faculty on both the main and extension campuses over a four-week period. The population studied in the survey was 280 faculty members and 5,340 students. Of this number, a stratified random sample of 50 faculty members and 200 students was selected. Findings – The study shows that the provision of e-library resources has increased overall usage of library materials as patrons continue to use print resources in tandem with electronic versions. The study also found that the electronic library resources are helpful to patrons and play an important role in enhancing access to library resources necessary for quality research papers and academic excellence on a whole. Originality/value – It is hoped that the findings of this paper will serve to assist the librarians and faculty at Northern Caribbean University and other similar institutions in selecting and acquiring the most appropriate format of information resources that will both satisfy the needs of their library users and fit within their library budget. Recommendations for improving the e-library service include continuous collaboration between librarians and faculty in selecting and acquiring the most appropriate format of resources to support the curriculum and satisfy the users' needs, constant marketing of the resources and on-going training in their use, and periodic assessment of the collection to ensure quality and competitiveness in light of other readily available electronic resources on the internet.

To make electronic resources available to library users while effectively harnessing intellectual capital within the library, ultimately fostering the library's use of technology to interact asynchronously with its patrons (users). The methods used in the project included: (1) developing a new library website to facilitate the creation, management, accessibility, maintenance and dissemination of library resources; and (2) establishing ownership by those who participated in the project, while creating effective work allocation strategies through the implementation of a content management system that allowed the library to manage cost, complexity and interoperability. Preliminary results indicate that contributors to the system benefit from an increased understanding of the library's resources and add content valuable to library patrons. These strategies have helped promote the manageable creation and maintenance of electronic content in accomplishing the library's goal of interacting with its patrons. Establishment of a contributive system for adding to the library's electronic resources and electronic content has been successful. Further work will look at improving asynchronous interaction, particularly highlighting accessibility of electronic content and resources.

As electronic resources represent a larger percentage of libraries’ purchases and services, copyright law, licensing, and other information laws are changing some traditional library functions. This article reviews the law of electronic resources through an outline of affected library services, including acquisitions and collection development; gifts, exchanges, and sales; archiving and preservation; circulation; interlibrary loan and document delivery; reserve; and research, reference, and instructional services. Legal issues considered include copyright, licensing, and database protection. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: <getinfo@haworthpressinc.com> Website: < https://www.HaworthPress.com> © 2001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]

Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries is an essential guide to the medical librarians working in a variety of settings, including academic health centers, hospital libraries, and government health associations, provide entry-level, mid-career, and experienced librarians with comprehensive information and advice on dealing with electronic resources. E-resources refer to digital information and content that are accessed and used through various devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets and e readers. These resources include e- books, e-journals, online database, multimedia content, and other forms of digital content. As healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and students rely more and more on digital content, medical libraries spend more and more time dealing with the complexities surrounding the use of e-resources. Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries examines the various types of e resources. In this paper we study about various types of e- resources in medical libraries. Keywords E- books, e-journals, online database, multimedia content, digital content

Purpose – Individual differences are critical in determining how individuals think and behave in different ways. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of individual differences on users’ perceptions of print and electronic resources in terms of ease of use, usefulness and usage in the hopes that a better understanding of these effects can help Chinese university libraries to meet the diversified information needs of their users more specifically and appropriately so that the second-level capability divide and third-level outcome divide of library information resources can be much reduced. Design/methodology/approach – Data collected from 273 library users were used for data analysis. The independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and two-way ANOVA were employed. Meanwhile, the quantitative analysis is supplemented by the qualitative interviews which present richer data about the use of specific types of print and electronic resources. Findings – The effect of basic characteristics (gender, age, field) and experience (experience with library print resources, experience with library electronic resources, which library resources were used first) on users’ perceptions of print and electronic resources in terms of ease of use, usefulness and usage was explored and discussed. Meanwhile, the two-way interaction effect was examined and 13 significant interaction effects were presented. Originality/value – Building on the digital divide, this study examines ease of use, usefulness and usage in terms of individual differences which cover not only basic characteristics but also experience and two-way interaction, which the authors think provides a new view for library information resources research and practice alike in China.

This article has three main objectives: i) to describe the use patterns of electronic and traditional resources in Portuguese academic libraries; ii) to estimate the value of the Portuguese electronic scientific information consortium b-on by using two alternative valuation methodologies; iii) to relate the use patterns with the valuation of b-on. We estimate the value of the Portuguese electronic scientific information consortium b-on by using two alternative evaluation methodologies: a) the value of the time saved by using this electronic resource; and b) the contingent valuation method to estimate how much the user is willing to pay for the service. Our results show wide differences in use patterns, with professors, researchers and PhD students having a more intense use of digital library services than undergraduate and masters students. Moreover, the benefit-cost ratios computed using the two valuation techniques indicate that the value of the electronic scientific information consortium b-on is well above its costs. Finally, the study shows that the valuation of b-on is higher for the user groups with higher percentage use of digital services.

The Electronic Resources (ER) Librarian and Patrons with Disabilities

PurposeThe project outlined in this seeks to answer the question: “Is a collaborative model of benchmarking the marketing of electronic resources feasible?”Design/methodology/approachThe project is designed as a national working group of approximately 100 college and university libraries all moving together through the process of a typical marketing cycle, running a brief marketing campaign, and reporting findings. All participating institutions will perform these steps at the same time, beginning in October 2011 and completing the project at the end of February 2012.FindingsBased on the data gathered as the result of the project, it is hoped to determine if college and universities working together and sharing data could help to define “best practices” in the marketing of electronic resources using a collaborative model.Originality/valueThe literature in the area of marketing of electronic resources in libraries is sparse and, as a result, a path for the successful marketing of the resources cannot be easily determined. This project proposes a model to quickly educate and gather data to begin building best practices in the area of marketing electronic resources.

Today, much attention is being paid to the issue of ensuring high-quality training for graduates of higher education institutions who would be competitive in the labor market. To ensure an independent assessment of the quality of education in Russia, a new tool called accreditation monitoring was introduced in 2023. The main difference from traditional control measures is its “self-reflective” nature, which involves analyzing the internal state of an educational organization when preparing data for a report. This type of analysis allows the timely identification of problem areas and the implementation of corrective measures at an early stage. These measures are aimed at developing capabilities and quality, as well as ensuring the achievement of relevant accreditation indicators. The accreditation monitoring indicators that characterize the conditions for the implementation of an educational program include the availability of an electronic information educational environment. This environment should provide access to an electronic library system and electronic educational resources. Information and library centers or libraries of higher education institutions are responsible for providing access to these resources, as well as their selection and acquisition.The purpose of the article is to analyze the possibilities of improving the mechanism for organizing the information and library center of students’ access to electronic library systems and electronic educational resources in the electronic information educational environment of the university. The study of the provision of the educational process and programs with electronic information and library resources through the analysis of the accessibility of electronic library systems in the personal accounts of students in the electronic information and educational environment demonstrates that not all educational organizations properly organize access to the necessary data. The problem of fragmented access has been identified: an automatic seamless access, an access with additional authentication. This aspect leads to a decrease in the motivation of students and teachers to use them. In this regard, the need to create a unified ecosystem of electronic library and educational resources is justified. This system would comprehensively provide training and programs that operate on the principle of a “single window” without additional authentication and would be integrated with elements of the electronic information educational environment.

The role electronic resources librarians (ERLs) have in licensing electronic content is the most relevant in the breadth of an ERLs core responsibilities. While ERLs are rarely lawyers in addition to being librarians, the role they play in educating stakeholders, negotiating with publishers and vendors, and crafting understanding of licensing terms is integral for the success of a rapidly growing and changing electronic collections environment. Often, new ERLs have to learn these skills on the job. Discussed are tools and resources for new ERLs to build their electronic content licensing competency and insight on how to educate to advocate for the ERLs role in licensing.

PurposeThis paper seeks to present a usability evaluation of the web site of the Main Library of the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) to get users and site visitors to identify the major strengths and weaknesses of the site and to incorporate the results and participant feedback into a redesign that reflects users' intuitions rather than those of the site developers and librarians.Design/methodology/approachA combination of experimental and respondent research strategies was used to evaluate usability. These included survey questionnaires, focus groups, formal usability testing and card sort. In addition, both usability heuristics and ISO guidelines were used to assess effectiveness, learnability, usefulness and user satisfaction. Respondent strategies used a sample size of 529 participants for the self‐completion questionnaires and 16 participants in the focus group sessions. Experimental strategies combined observation of 21 individual participants and three groups of participants in the usability tests. In the card sort protocol nine individual participants and three groups of participants were observed.FindingsThe findings identified challenges in the site's information architecture (labelling and organisation) and in the interface design.Research limitations/implicationsMore ethnographic approaches are needed to elicit distinctive Caribbean user behaviours.Practical implicationsThe study concludes that similar usability evaluations should be undertaken at the other UWI campus library web sites and that usability training should be incorporated into the culture of the library organisation. Critical next steps for the web designer are also suggested.Originality/valueThe paper presents issues of organisational change and the impact of technology on the relationship between systems and user services librarians.

The study on electronic library and resources cannot be underestimated in the teaching and learning process in higher education in Nigeria. The paper explores the role of electronic resources as tools for effective teaching and learning in higher education. There is need to examine the benefits and challenges in the adoption of these resources. This study highlights the potential to promote teaching and learning in the digital age.