Use of Internet Services in Ghanaian University Libraries

Short Communications

Abstract

This study investigated how students, lecturers and research fellows have been using the Internet services provided by the three oldest public university libraries in Ghana – the Balme Library of the University of Ghana, Lego; the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Library (KNUSTL); and the University of Cape Coast Library (UCCL). These libraries have well established IT facilities and provide Internet services dedicated to teaching, learning and research. Data were collected through a questionnaire administered on 240 users of the libraries and through interviews with the library staff in charge of IT services in the libraries. The study found that most of the respondents used the services only once in a while and mainly for sending and receiving information. The study recommended that the university libraries should expand their computer facilities, train users in different online skills, and compile and publicise the Internet sites useful for obtaining different types of research information.