Factors influencing access and usage of e-Resources at Nkumba University Uganda

Abstract: Electronic resources (e-Resources) are now generally perceived as powerful sources of information and are regarded as indispensable scholarly reference source. With easy access, e-Resources provide synthesized information sources with regularly updated information and hyperlinks to offsite contents providing latest information and thinking on a subject. Aiming to explore access and usage of e- Resources at Nkumba University Library (NUL), this study investigated the level of accessibility and usage of subscribed e-Resources by third year undergraduate students. Understanding the level of access and usage of e-Resource is important because it gives pointers to the level of access of contemporary knowledge in the learning and research processes by the students. A positivist approach hinged on the modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) formed the theoretical basis of the study. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, interviews and observations. A 51% of encompassing 110 individuals out of 216 responded to the questionnaire. This research provides evidence and pointers that need to be considered when designing interventions to encourage usage and access of e-Resources in contextually similar environments. The study proposes a conceptual framework that depicts factors cardinal in influencing access and usage of e-Resources more especially in resourceconstrained countries