Virtual library and information services utilization by Kampala Library and Information Centre

Abstract

This study investigated the use of virtual library and information services at the Kampala Library and Information Centre. The objectives of the study were to identify the virtual library and information services provided at Kampala Library and Information Centre, to establish how virtual library and information services are utilized at Kampala Library and Information Centre, to examine the factors that influence utilization of virtual library and information services at Kampala Library and Information Centre, and to identify setbacks in the utilization of virtual library and information services at Kampala Library and Information Centre. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology was used to underpin the study. However, it was necessary to overlay it with a conceptual framework. The study adopted a post-positivists research paradigm with a mixed method approach consisting of qualitative and quantitative methods. A study population of 401 library users and 5 library staff was used. Out of those, 141 library users and 3 library staff participated in the study. Data was collected using questionnaires from the library users and semi-structured interviews with the library staff. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The findings of the study indicated that there was under-use of virtual library and information services. Users use virtual library and information services for various purposes such as administrative, entertainment, communication and completing assignments. The study also revealed that KLIC has a number of virtual library and information services including OPAC, e-journal databases, websites E-books databases and government portals. The findings showed that facilitating factors had a positive significant influence on use of Virtual library and information services (β = 0.497, t = 4.822, p = 0.002 < 0.05), implying that facilitating factors resulted in a 49% improvement in the use of virtual library and information services. Performance expectancy had a positive significant influence on use of Virtual library and information services (β = 0.232, t = 2.350, p = 0.020 < 0.05), implying that performance expectancy explains a 23% improvement in the use of virtual library and information services. The level of education had a positive significant influence on use of Virtual library and information services (β = 0.204, t = 2.264, p = 0.025 < 0.05), implying that education level is responsible for a 20% improvement in the use of virtual library services. Several challenges, such as the absence of a Wi-Fi network, limited internet bandwidth, limited space, and few computers, were found to challenge the utilization of virtual library and information services at KLIC. The study recommended user training to improve use of virtual library and information services, improving internet bandwidth and the provision of more computers in the library. These findings partly concur and partly disagree with those of the earlier studies, suggesting that more studies are needed to test the comprehensive model. Suggested areas for research included future research to be conducted in other types of libraries, such as special, government, and also future research could be carried out to determine the impact of the use of virtual libraries and information services on users of such libraries.