Magister Artium - MA / Academic libraries worldwide are using the digital content management and information
sharing LibGuides as a platform to provide and promote subject or course orientated
information resources, to share knowledge, to provide information literacy education, utilize
the Web 2.0 features to communicate with users to support teaching, learning and research.
This study explored the use of LibGuides by four departments in the Community and Health
Science (CHS) Faculty at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) among students,
academics and the faculty librarian. A descriptive case study research design with a sequential
explanatory mixed methods approach was adopted. As data gathering tools web based
questionnaires, face to face interviews and system generated LibGuides page views were
employed. Findings revealed that although the CHS librarian spent quality time to create
LibGuides and to expose faculty members to them, only a few students and teaching staff
actually used the LibGuides and that there was confusion between LibGuides and study or
course guides. Those who used LibGuides, found the information resources they contained
useful – especially course specific resources. Students and teaching staff being made aware of
LibGuides demonstrated willingness to use them, thus librarians should deploy strategies to
market, promote and educate users of LibGuides by amongst others, seeking collaboration. The
impact of the study was revealed by a teaching staff embedding CHS LibGuides in e-learning
courses, teaching staff introducing LibGuides during lectures and students approaching the
CHS librarian for training. It is recommended that the CHS librarian incorporate suggested
information resources into LibGuides, that LibGuides awareness should be raised, more
training be done and that further research to explore the use and benefits of LibGuides at UWC
be undertaken. It is recommended that library managers deploy strategies to reach out to
faculties to enhance the use of library resources using LibGuides.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uwc/oai:etd.uwc.ac.za:11394/6949 |
| Date | January 2019 |
| Creators | Tshetsha, Veliswa |
| Contributors | King, Lizette |
| Publisher | University of the Western Cape |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | University of the Western Cape |
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