The Extent to Which Students and Faculty Utilize Print and Electronic Resources in Kenya Medical Training College Libraries
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/ajikm.4031Keywords:
Library Utilization, Print Resources, Kenya Medical Training CollegeAbstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish the extent to which students and faculty utilize print and electronic resources in Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) libraries.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among students and faculty in nine selected Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) campuses. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study sites, with proportionate sampling employed for students and a census conducted for all available lecturers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 27. Descriptive statistics summarized the extent of print and electronic resource utilization, while chi-square tests examined associations between utilization and respondents' characteristics at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Findings: The findings demonstrate high utilization of both resource formats, with electronic resources recording a higher utilization rate (94.1%) than print resources (82.7%). Chi-square analysis further revealed significant variations in print and electronic resource utilization across campuses, while respondent category was significantly associated with print resource utilization. The study concluded that both print and electronic resources are extensively utilized in KMTC libraries, although electronic resources have become the predominant source of scholarly information among students and faculty.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that the College should also standardize library services and resource provision across campuses to minimize disparities in utilization. Furthermore, strategies aimed at promoting regular library use, including user awareness programmes and information literacy training, should be enhanced to encourage optimal utilization of both print and electronic resources.
Downloads
References
Ama-Abasi R. Daniel1, Undie M. Agba, (2021)- Students demographic variables as determinants of utilisation of information resources among undergraduates of universities in South-South Nigeria. Indian Journal of Library Science and Information Technology. January-June, 2021; 6(1):33-39
Ankamah, S., Gyesi, K., & Amponsah, V. (2022). Use of electronic resources in research and learning in a health sciences library in Ghana: An analysis of awareness and perception of users.
Bashorun, M. T., Isah, A., & Adisa, M. Y. (2011). User perception of electronic resources in the University of Ilorin, Nigeria (UNILORIN).
Clark, J. C., Stormes, S., & Sauceda, J. (2018). Format preferences of performing arts students: A multi-institution study. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 44(5), 620–626.
Connaway, L. S., Dickey, T. J., & Radford, M. L. (2011). “If it is too inconvenient I’m not going after it:” Convenience as a critical factor in information-seeking behaviors. Library & Information Science Research, 33(3), 179–190.
Eromosele, G. O., Abdulraheem, J. W., Abdulrazaq, M. O., & Abubakar, Y. (2021). Awareness and ICT skills as determinants of electronic information resources utilization by undergraduate medical students in University of Ilorin, Nigeria. International Journal of Information Processing and Communication.
Halloumeh, K. A., & Jirjees, J. M. (2016). Electronic versus Print Journals in Academic Libraries in Abu Dhabi: Preference & Problems. Advances in Journalism and Communication, 4(04), 113.
Hotsonyame, G. N., & Okyere, S. (2023). Access and use of electronic resources at the University of Health and Allied Sciences’ library: Undergraduate students’ perspective. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), article 7867.
Kenya Medical Training College. (2021). Library monthly report: Makindu Campus. Unpublished internal document. Retrieved from KMTC Makindu Campus Library archives
Kojo Bawa Dukper, Bawa Sakibu & Beatrice Arthur,2018: Awareness and Utilization of Electronic Library Resources by Students of Tamale Technical University, http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac
Morse, D. H., & Clintworth, W. A. (2000). Comparing patterns of print and electronic journal use in an academic health science library. Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, 28(26.04), 2008.
Odongo, T. A. (2011). An assessment of ICT adoption in Kenyan academic libraries: A case study of University of Nairobi Libraries [PhD Thesis].
Owusu-Ansah, S. (2021). Reshaping strategies of university libraries in Ghana towards sustainable development goal 4.
Pather, R. (2004). A comparative study of the costs and benefits of journal ownership versus full-text electronic access in the Faculty of Science at the University of Natal, Durban, Libraries. [PhD Thesis].
Pilabré, A., et al. (2024). User satisfaction with information and communication technologies in nursing and midwifery schools in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice.
Singh, D. K. (2018). Utilization of Print and Electronic Information Resources in The Age of Information. Journal of Library and Information Communication Technology, 7(1), 56–64.
Zhang, M., Doi, L., Awua, J., Asare, H., & Stenhouse, R. (2023). Challenges and possible solutions for accessing scholarly literature among medical and nursing professionals and students in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Nurse Education Today. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105737
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Urbanus Mutiso Muthusi, Lucia Jonah, Raphael Mutiso, Nicholas Kwinga, Luciana Kaloki, Emmah Nthei, Gilbert Nguutu, Zachary Ombasa, Redempta Mutisya, Loise Mwangi, James Musovya
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
