The Usability Evaluation Of Digital Library Services In Selected Public Higher Learning Institutions, Ethiopia

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.