Abstract:
The goal of this study was focused on usability evaluation of digital library services at Jimma
and Adama Science and Technology universities. Usability evaluation is one of the major factor
that determine the successfulness of a digital library. The researcher used cross-sectional survey
research design. The study applied purposive and simple random sampling techniques and the
data was collected through questionnaire and interview. The data is analyzed by using
descriptive statistics (Frequency, Percentage, Mean and Standard Division) and inferential
statistics using SPSS software version 20. The findings of the study revealed that respondents
were satisfied with the majority of the evaluation criteria’s such as learnability (40.6%), userfriendly (34.5%), comfortable (42.7%) timesaving (49.3), reliability (39.2),error prevention
(42.2%) and aesthetic(41.7%) of the digital library service. The other result showed
dissatisfaction regarding the efficiency (40.5%), effectiveness (39.9%), currency (30.4%) and
memorability (36.1%) of the services. The perception of respondents towards the services is
ineffective. The finding of the study also revealed that different factors inhibits respondents use
of the services including power failure, slow internet speed, lack of technical support and
unavailability of federated service. A framework that incorporates main and sub components of
usability evaluation of digital library designed and proposed. Digital libraries plays a great role
in strengthen the academic and research activities of users. The researcher conducted this study
from the postgraduate students and library professional perspective. But from the perspective of
undergraduate students and administrative staffs could not be studied.
