Assessment Of Electronic Resource Management On Service Delivery In Selected Ethiopian Academic Libraries

Abstract

The future development and success of academic libraries depends greatly on how they hold technology in their operations mainly in the management of electronic resources. The main aim of this study was to assess Electronic Resources Management on Service Delivery in Ethiopian academic Libraries. The methodology employed to conduct this study was cross sectional survey research and the respondents’ drawn from Addis Ababa, Adama Science and Technology and Jimma University librarians. Purposive sampling method was used to select samples from study population, study areas and samples for interview. Data for the study was collected through questionnaire, face-to-face interview and observation. The available e-resources in different universities in Ethiopia were similar in feature, purpose and objectives but differently managed in academic libraries. The main results of the research show that the availability of electronic resource management standard, budget, instruction or comprehensive guide and proper channel to make users aware needs great attention. The majority of the respondents indicated that the factor that affect e-resource management on service delivery of e-resources is the absence of eresource management standards with M= 3.52, SD= 1.562. The ways to manage electronic resources and services to the end users vary from the past practices. To meet the end-users need, the academic libraries need to identify and adopt good management practices. Thus, preparing guidelines in a standardized way based on the best practices employed by libraries is significant which will ultimately enhance the value based services of academic libraries.