Availability, Awareness and Utilisation of Offline e-book Platforms and Other Online Databases in University Libraries

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine availability, awareness and utilization of offline e-book platforms and other online databases in Delta State University and Federal University of Petroleum Resources libraries. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the research. Purposive sampling technique was adopted. The researcher purposively visited the libraries studied and randomly selected 70 students each from the two universities. This brings the population of the study to 140 students; and all were administered the questionnaire which was retrieved and found usable. The data collected were analyzed using percentage and descriptive mean statistical tools. The study revealed that most of the students don’t know that there are dedicated offline e-book platforms available in the e-libraries; but availability of other online resources is not in doubt; that most of the students are not aware of e-book platforms in the e-libraries as a result not utilizing them; but are aware of other online resources and making effective use of them amongst other challenges. The major challenges limiting the utilization of databases by students are lack of awareness, inadequate facilities, epileptic power supply and poor internet services. The study recommended strong awareness campaign concerning the availability of offline e-book platforms, and subscription and open access databases by librarians in the study area.