Cloud Library for Minimizing E- library services divide among Ethiopian Public Higher Learning Institutions

Abstract

Academic libraries of Public Higher Educational Institutions in Ethiopia (PHEIE) suffer from common problems, like dissimilar distribution, duplication and superfluous procurement of e-resources as well as technological infrastructure among university libraries. Moreover, information poverty is what these universities are epitomized with. The main aim of this study was to investigate ways to minimize e- resource divide between Ethiopian University libraries through the use of cloud library. The methodology employed to conduct this study was survey research. Simple random sampling method was used to select samples from study population and a purposive sampling method was used to select study areas. Questionnaire, semistandardized face-to-face interview and observation were used to collect data. The results of the research show that 76.5% of respondents need to have cloud library system. The study also found that cloud library had a potential to minimize duplication of e-library projects with M=3.75, SD=1.28. The study also found that application of cloud