Collection Development Strategies for Electronic Resources in Two Selected University Libraries in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/12289

Keywords:

electronic resources, collection development, academic libraries, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Purpose: Electronic resources have become critical and instrumental for academic work in the technological era and, as such, useful for students and researchers. This study reports on collection development as a strategy for electronic resources.

Design/methodology/approach: An interpretivist research paradigm was adopted, followed by a qualitative research approach. A case study research design was deemed appropriate for the study. The target population comprised librarians from two academic libraries in KwaZulu-Natal. The study employed purposive sampling and used semi-structured interviews to collect data from the participants. Due to Covid-19 regulations, these interviews were conducted online using Google Teams. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected.

Findings: The findings revealed that both universities provide different types of electronic resources to support teaching, learning, and research activities. The electronic resources provided in the two selected academic libraries included online databases, e-books, e-journals, e-references, e-magazines, and videos from the JoVE databases and packages. The findings showed that these academic libraries encounter major challenges with limited library budgets and high subscription costs of e-resources. The study recommends that adequate funding to acquire more e-resources should be allocated, and that the consortium must become more involved in the process of purchasing electronic resources so that cost could be shared.

Research limitations/implications: This study focused on librarians in two institutions, excluding the management and executive management of these institutions, which are planners and decision-makers influencing finance and some processes.

Practical implications: Electronic resources subscribed to by academic libraries play an important part in addressing different user information needs. With the emergence of information and communication technology (ICT), academic libraries strive to remain relevant in their collection development through the provision of electronic resources. The research offered librarians additional collection development strategies through electronic resources that they can adopt in order to provide sound collections to their users, regardless of financial constraints.

Originality/value: The study investigated enhancing collection development through electronic resources as a strategy in the selected academic libraries in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It may serve as a valuable resource for academic librarians in carrying out the effective collection development of electronic resources, as currently, world development is driven by technology. It also adds to the body of knowledge in the field of electronic resources, academic librarianship, and information science.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biography

Ncamisile Majola, www.unizulu.ac.za

Department of Information Studies, University of Zululand

References

Chandel, A. S., and M. Saikia. 2012. “Challenges and Opportunities of E-resources.” Annals of Library and Information Studies (ALIS) 59 (3).

Daramola, C. F. 2016. “Perception and Utilization of Electronic Resources by Undergraduate Students: The Case of the Federal University of Technology Library, Akure.” American Journal of Educational Research 4 (5): 366–370.

Dukic, D., and J. Striskovic. 2015. “Croatian University Students’ Use and Perception of Electronic Resources.” Library and Information Science Research 37 (3): 244–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2015.04.004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2015.04.004

Frederick, J., and C. Wolff-Eisenberg. 2020. Academic Library Strategy and Budgeting during the Covid-19 Pandemic. https://doi.org/10.18665/sr.314507. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18665/sr.314507

Frempong-Kore, A. 2021. “The Relevance of Collection Development Policy in the Collection Development of Maranatha University College and Ghana Christian University College Libraries.” Library Philosophy and Practice, 1–26.

Frempong-Kore, A., K. A. B. Benedicta, and D. Gordon. 2022. “Collection Development Practices in Academic Libraries in Ghana: The Case of Ghana Communication Technology University Library.” United International Journal for Research and Technology 3 (9): 37–45.

George, B. O. 2013. Role of E-resources for Research Management in Kenya: A Case of Mount Kenya University. International Institute for Science, Technology and Education (IISTE).

Hendal, B. A. 2020. “Kuwait University Faculty’s Use of Electronic Resources during the Covid-19 Pandemic.” Digital Library Perspectives 36 (4): 429–439. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-04-2020-0023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-04-2020-0023

Johnson, S., O. G. Evensen, J. Gelfand, G. Lammers, L. Sipe, and N. Zilper. 2012. Key Issues For E-Resource Collection Development: A Guide for Libraries. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.

Joshua, D. 2014. “Users’ Assessment of E-resources at the University Library of the University of the Philippines, Diliman.” Journal of Philippine Librarianship 34.

Kaur, M., and P. K. Walia. 2016. “Collection Development of Electronic Resources in Management Libraries of India.” Collection Building 35 (3): 73–83. https://doi.org/10.1108/CB-04-2016-0007. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/CB-04-2016-0007

Kinengyere, A., G. W. Kiyingi, and B. B. Baziraake. 2012. Factors Affecting Utilisation of Electronic Health Information Resources in Universities in Uganda. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Institute Of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR–NIScPR).

Kumar, N., and L. Kumar. 2016. “Ever Increasing Cost of Knowledge: Challenges for Libraries for Electronic Resources A Case Study.” DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology 36 (6). https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.36.6.10380. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.36.6.10380

Lo, P., A. Cho, B. K. K. Law, D. K., Chiu, and B. Allard. 2017. Progressive Trends in Electronic Resources Management among Academic Libraries in Hong Kong. Library Collections, Acquisitions, and Technical Services 40 (1-2): 28–37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14649055.2017.1291243

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT). 2016. “Prospectus.” Accessed July 21, 2023. https://www.mut.ac.za/downloads/publications/MUT%20Prospectus/files/assets/common/downloads/MUT%20Prospectus.pdf.

Mwilongo, K. J., I. Luambano, and M. J. Lwehabura. 2020. “Collection Development Practices in Academic Libraries in Tanzania.” Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 52 (4): 1152–1168. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000620907961. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000620907961

Newman, W. L. 2014. Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 7th edition. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.

Omosekejimi, A. F., O. R. Eghworo, and E. P. Ogo. 2015. “Usage of Electronic Information Resources (EIRs) by Undergraduate Students at Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun.” Information and Knowledge Management 5 (4): 94–103.

Oyewo, R. O., and G. R. Bello. 2014. “Students’ Accessibility and Utilization of Electronic Information Resources in the Library: A Case Study of Selected Monotechnic in Oyo State.” Information Technologist 11 (1).

Pawar, R. R., and G. Moghe. 2014. “Need of E-resources in Academic Libraries.” Knowledge Management Challenges for Library and Information. International Institute for Science, Technology and Education (IISTE).

Peggy, J. 2018. Fundamentals of Collection Developments and Management, 4th edition. Chicago: American Library Association.

Rafi, M., K. Ahmad, S. Bin Naeem, and Z. Jianming. 2020. “Budget Harmonization and Challenges: Understanding the Competence of Professionals in the Budget Process for Structural and Policy Reforms in Public Libraries.” Performance Measurement and Metrics 21 (2): 65–79. https://doi.org/10.1108/PMM-09-2019-0048. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/PMM-09-2019-0048

Sejane, L. 2017. “Access to and Use of Electronic Information Resources in the Academic Libraries of the Lesotho Library Consortium.” Doctoral thesis, University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Sisimwo, J. 2016. “Electronic Resources and its Application in Collection Development Practices in Academic Libraries: The Case of United States International University.” Doctoral thesis, University of Nairobi.

Tan, M. 2016. “What Are Electronic Resources?” http://libfaq.smu.edu.sg/faq/134702.

Tlakula, T. P., and M. Fombad. 2017. “The Use of Electronic Resources by Undergraduate Students at the University of Venda, South Africa.” The Electronic Library 35 (5): 861–881. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-06-2016-0140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-06-2016-0140

University of Zululand (UNIZULU). 2022. “General Calendar.” Accessed July 19, 2023. http://www.unizulu.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022_General_Calendar_FinaL.pdf, 3-8.

Woolwine, D. 2014. “Collection Development in the Humanities and Social Sciences in a Transitional Age: Deaccession of Print Items. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1.

Published

2023-10-23

How to Cite

Jiyane, Glenrose Velile, and Ncamisile Majola. 2023. “Collection Development Strategies for Electronic Resources in Two Selected University Libraries in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa”. Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies 41 (2):13 pages . https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/12289.

Issue

Section

Articles
Received 2022-09-18
Accepted 2023-08-02
Published 2023-10-23