Thesis--Western Michigan University. / Microfilm copy (positive) of typescript. Collation of the original: v, 130ℓ. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville. / "97-08998." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 156-171).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Minnesota, 1985. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 39-40).

Thesis (M.A.L.S.)--University of Minnesota, 1985. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 39-40).

M.Tech. (Production Management) / The development of technikons into autonomous tertiary technical educational institutions, offering education up to doctorate level, conducting research, offering vocational and continuing education, brought with them libraries which cannot provide in the requirements set to them. This study investigates the place for a library in the Technikon Witwatersrand and some of the environmental influences that have a bearing on the library. It continues from there to determine the library infrastructure of the Witwatersrand in order to establish the presence and accessibility of information sources. A framework is then developed according to which the needs of the users of the library determined. user categories are then identified and their needs for information sources determined. The study continues from there to develop this framework on a computer so that it can be used in planning for the provision of information sources to technologists in the future. The study is concluded with recommendations regarding the provision of information sources.

The complex nature of digital libraries calls for appropriate models to study user success. Calls have been made to incorporate into these models factors that capture the interplay between people, organizations, and technology. In order to address this, two research questions were formulated: (1) To what extent does the comprehensive digital library user success model (DLUS), based on a combination of the EUCS and flow models, describe overall user success in a prototype digital library environment; and (2) To what extent does a combined model of DeLone & McLean's reformulated information system success model and comprehensive digital library user success model (DLUS) explain digital library user success in a prototype digital library environment? Participants were asked to complete an online survey questionnaire. A total of 160 completed and useable questionnaires were obtained. Data analyses through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling produced results that support the two models. However, some relationships between latent variables hypothesized in the model were not confirmed. A modified version of the proposed comprehensive plus user success model in a digital library environment was tested and supported through model fit statistics. This model was recommended as a possible alternative model of user success. The dissertation also makes a number of recommendations for future research.

This study investigated the use of the E. G. Malherbe Library of the University of Natal, Durban (UNO), by non-registered users, with the aim of finding out who these users were, why they used the library, what resources and services they used and what questions they most often asked the subject librarians. The study focused on the E. G. Malherbe Library as it is the main library of the Durban campus and because of its frequent use by non-registered users. The tertiary system in South Africa was discussed to provide background information about the operation of the University of Natal and its libraries. The University is a member of the Eastern Seaboard Association of Tertiary Institutions (ESATI), an organisation that promotes co-operation among tertiary institutions in KwaZulu-Natal. The academic libraries of the six institutions making up ESATI have formed the Eastern Seaboard Association of Academic Libraries (ESAL). The E.G. Malherbe Library is a member of ESAL. The University's membership of these organisations has implications for co-operation and the reciprocal use of libraries in the region. Literature dealing with the use of academic libraries by external users worldwide was examined to provide a wider context within which to view the present study. The survey method was used and questionnaires were distributed to non- registered users as they entered the Library. A self-selected sample of 149 users completed the questionnaire. A separate questionnaire was distributed to the total of three subject librarians of the E.G. Malherbe Library. The results revealed that most of the non-registered users were full-time students registered at tertiary institutions in and around Durban, many of whom were members of ESAL. The majority of students involved in the study came from the University of Durban Westville, the University of Zululand, Technikon Natal, M.L. Sultan Technikon and Mangosuthu Technikon. Among the reasons students gave for using the library were that it had relevant materials for their needs, it provided them with a place to study, it was close to where they lived and the staff at the library were helpful. The materials used most frequently were books, followed by periodicals. Indications were given that the Library was better stocked than many other libraries in the area. From the types of questions asked and the assistance which was required from subject librarians, it was clear that these users had deficient library use skills. The non-registered users benefited from the library's long opening hours but were unhappy about being excluded from borrowing privileges. Recommendations were made for improving the teaching of library use skills at tertiary institutions in the region and agreements regarding access for students to libraries which are members of ESAL need to be concluded speedily to normalise use. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

This study explores the use of electronic information services (EIS) by students at the Howard College (HC) campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in the faculties of Engineering and the Humanities, Development and Social Sciences (HDSS). The objectives were to establish usage among students; identify determinants of usage and to make recommendations. To achieve these objectives, the study concentrated on answering these research questions: • Do UKZN students use library e-resources? • Which e-resources are UKZN students using? • Where do UKZN students access library e-resources? • Why do UKZN students use library e-resources? • What characterises non-users of library e-resources? • What barriers exist to the use of electronic information services (EIS)? A review of the literature identified a mix of quantitative, qualitative and combined methods used to investigate EIS usage. In various research studies, the variables considered to be determinants of use included age, status, discipline of study, subject content, computer proficiency, ease of use, availability and print formats in academic environments. The barriers experienced when using EIS formats, the adoption of technology and the usability characteristics of EIS were also important aspects evident in the literature. The methodology adopted was based on a pragmatic philosophical approach and sought to establish baseline data. A quantitative research design was used which set out to achieve the research objectives through data collection on two fronts. Firstly, the overall usage environment at UKZN was established by reviewing vendor usage statistics. The COUNTER compliant statistics for selected databases and e-journals were collected and analysed. As COUNTER statistics were not available for e-books, the statistics available from the vendors were used. Secondly, a stratified, random sample of students on the HC campus was surveyed by means of an online questionnaire. A response rate of 22.5% was achieved. Data collected established the characteristics of users; whether they made use of e-books, e-journals and databases; where they used them and how often; why they made use of them; and what barriers and problems they experienced when using them. Data from non-users was also solicited. Data is presented in graphs and frequency tables. The Chi-square test was applied to establish significant associations between variables and these results are produced in contingency tables. The findings established that EIS are used by students and usage fluctuates during the course of the academic year with peaks occurring in each semester and low points during the vacation periods. e-Journals and databases are used more than ebooks, while postgraduate students use EIS most. Non-users made up almost a third iv of the sample; while habitual, frequent and infrequent users were reflected in almost equal numbers among those who use EIS. Age, gender or discipline of study were not in evidence as determinants of use. Students undertake searches mainly from computers in the LANs but off-campus computers are also used, which highlights the importance of remote access. The library website is most often the starting point for navigation, although search engines are also popular as a virtual starting point. Locating information was the prime motivation to use EIS, and students largely rated the EIS they used as good or excellent. Barriers were experienced by as many as 37% of users who reported that the non-availability of EIS was the main problem, although they experienced other difficulties. In concluding, issues of library service delivery and recommendations regarding usage are made. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between selected basic library skills and the use of the library by freshman community college students, and to determine or evaluate the extent to which the use of the library by such students is related to or influenced by the level of their library skills. The population utilized in this study was the total enrollment of freshman students beginning their second semester of study at two typical Texas rural community colleges, namely Cooke County College at Gainesville, Texas, and Grayson County College at Sherman, Texas. Data regarding library skills were obtained through the use of a standardized test instrument, A Library Orientation Test for College Freshmen. Data regarding library use, relevant demographic traits, and selected control variables (age, sex, hours worked, self-perceived library skills, school attended, a measure of intelligence, marital status, and major course of study) were obtained through the use of a specially prepared questionnaire instrument. Through the use of generalized scattergrams with both present study and pilot study data a possible simple linear relationship was found to obtain between library skills and library use in both instances. Bivariate Spearman correlations were then computed for all variables considered in the present study. Those variables showing a strength greater than 0.10 were "promoted" to Pearson correlation values and utilized as input for a multiple linear regression analysis. A conjectural model was constructed from the output of the multiple linear regression analysis which suggested that, if the direction of influence is ignored, the relative importance of the variables utilized in this procedure would be, from most important to least important, tested library skills, hours worked other than attending school, age, and self-perceived library skills.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of electronic databases by postgraduate students in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, with a view to proposing a set of recommendations based on the findings that would contribute to a more effective use of these databases. The study focussed on the use students made of electronic databases provided by the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Library and any other electronic databases which provided information and were needed for their studies. The study population consisted of 500 registered postgraduate students. The survey instrument used to elicit data was a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to a sample population of 100 postgraduate students. The questionnaire sought to establish if postgraduate students used electronic databases, which electronic databases postgraduate students used and the reasons for their choice, to identify problems postgraduate students encountered, how students became aware of the databases and how often they used the available databases. A total of 65 postgraduate students responded, a response rate of 65%. The results were analysed in terms of frequency responses and they are graphically displayed in the form of tables and graphs. The study found that postgraduate students did use the electronic databases, but a few of the databases were not used. A number of problems were experienced when using the databases. Students became aware of the availability of electronic databases from a variety of sources such as friends, library orientation programmes and academic staff. Search engines were identified as a resource that was very popular with almost all the students. There was a need for training on use of the databases and a need for improving access for all campus and off-campus users. Recommendations for action and further research, based on the conclusions of the study, are made. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.