Accessibility and Use of Electronic Resources in Library Services in Tanzania: The Case of the Bank of Tanzania Library

The main purpose of this study was to investigate challenges of accessibility and use of electronic resources at the Bank of Tanzania Library (BoTL). Specifically, the study aimed at identifying electronic resources available for access and use by library users, the level of access to and use of electronic resources in the library, challenges faced in accessing and using electronic resources, and improve access to and use of electronic resources at the BoT library. The study was carried out in Dar es Salaam, at BoT headquarters, and data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and observation. Findings revealed the types of electronic resources accessible in the library as indicated by the respondents, including electronic books, electronic journals, online databases, search engines and CD ROMs, electronic magazines, electronic newspapers and institutional websites. Although a majority of respondents about 27 (53.7%) were aware of various e-resources available in the library, some of 4 (9.3%) were unaware of the availability and accessibility of some electronic resources in the library, which posed a challenge to their effective use. Findings related to the level of access to and use of electronic resources at BoT library revealed that while in the library, the respondents accessed and used electronic books, electronic journals in online databases, Search engines, CD ROMs, e-mail, social network sites, as well as the electronic catalogue (OPAC). The findings, however, showed that generally majority of respondents about 33 (66.7%) do not effectively use the electronic resources available in the library to meet their information needs, as noted by fewer respondents about 27 (55.6 %) who to borrow various documents, instead of using online databases. The findings revealed most challenges which are faced by users in accessing and using electronic resources. Such challenges includes inadequate computers with Internet connectivity, unaware of the existence of electronic databases available, limited access to online databases, inadequate search skills, occasional network failure, information overload, as well as time constraints. The respondents also recommended on strategies to be adopted, to improve access to and use of electronic resources, such as increasing the number of computers with Internet access, increasing awareness of available online resources, imparting users with information search skills, as well as creating an Information Communication Technology policy. This study recommends prioritising in creation awareness on the e-resources available and accessible in the library, imparting information literacy skills to library users, as well as having an effective library policy