Library training to promote electronic resource usage. A case study in information literacy assessment
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-08-2017-0082 |
| Published date | 13 November 2017 |
| Pages | 618-628 |
| Date | 13 November 2017 |
| Author | Tove Faber Frandsen,Dativa Tibyampansha,Glory R. Ibrahim,Megan von Isenburg |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library & information services |
Library training to promote
electronic resource usage
A case study in information literacy assessment
Tove Faber Frandsen
Department of Communication and Design, University of Southern Denmark,
Kolding, Denmark
Dativa Tibyampansha and Glory R. Ibrahim
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania, and
Megan von Isenburg
Medical Center Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper in informationliteracy assessment is to explore how library training
can promote electronic resourceusage. Increasing the usage of electronic resources is an issue of concern for
many librariesall over the world. Several studies stress the importance of informationliteracy and instruction
to increasethe usage.
Design/methodology/approach –The present article presents the results of implementing training
programmesto increase the use of the e-library.
Findings –Training sessions increase the usage of library e-resources significantly; however, the effect
seems to be short-livedand training sessions alone may not increasethe overall long-term usage.
Originality/value –The present paper presents a study of training sessions as means to increase
awarenessand usage of library e-resources. Implications for the planning of trainingare discussed.
Keywords Information literacy, Usage, Digital libraries, Library training, e-libraries,
Electronic libraries
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Increasing the usage of electronicresources is an issue of concern for many libraries all over
the world. Many users prefer to usepopular internet search engines over the systems made
available by libraries (Georgas, 2013;Wu and Chen, 2014). Consequently, many library
resources tend to be underused (Hong et al.,2002;Chen and Chengalur-Smith, 2015).
Stachokas (2014, p. 100) stresses that a greater emphasis should be placed on information
literacy, instruction andin-depth subject expertise. He argues that librarians need to change
what they know, how they work and how they are perceived to succeed. Agaba (2005)
reveals that lack of training of staffand users is a challenging factor to the accessibility and
utilization of e-journals, stating that users find access to resources difficult and that staff
may not have adequate skills to assist users.
The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and
suggestions to improve the paper.
ILS
118,11/12
618
Received10 August 2017
Revised5 September 2017
Accepted11 September 2017
Informationand Learning Science
Vol.118 No. 11/12, 2017
pp. 618-628
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2398-5348
DOI 10.1108/ILS-08-2017-0082
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2398-5348.htm
To continue reading
Request your trial