User perspectives on library digitization and its impact on research capabilities

Abstract

This study assessed user perspectives on library digitization and its impact on research capabilities. A survey design with both quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed. Simple random sampling was used to select respondents whereas purposive sampling was used to select key informants. Data were collected using online questionnaires and interviews. MS Excel was used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic method. Findings show that the majority of the respondents utilize library resources frequently with statistical analysis (MS = 0.387998, t = −1.45939, p < 0.146074) indicating there is no significant difference between education level and the frequency of library resources usage. Also, the majority of respondents have positive perceptions towards the use of library resources with t-statistic (6.599663291, is above 1.649982976 for one-tail and 1.967956506 for two-tail) indicating a significant difference between age and perceptions towards the use of library resources. Moreover, findings show capacity of a single document to be used by many users at once and information to be accessed at a fingerprint are major impacts of library digitization. Furthermore, findings reveal issues related to licensing, subscription costs, and copyright and overwhelming volume of information available as the major challenges user face when utilizing digital library resources. This study marks the pioneering exploration into the impacts of library digitization on research capabilities. The study therefore, recommends a continuous training to students to be able to access and critically evaluate the overwhelming amount of online information. Also, users should be trained on how to navigate copyright issues when accessing digital library resources. Additionally, libraries should consider expanding their collections by incorporating more open access resources. Moreover, parent institutions should make sure that they increase the budget to their digital libraries so that libraries can increase the subscriptions of all useful resources.