Relationship between access to ICT and the use of electronic library resources by scholars and postgraduate students in a rural-based South African university

Abstract

This study examined access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and use of electronic library resources (ELRs) in a rural university, against the backdrop of ongoing changes in the way people access information. It aimed to investigate access to ICTs and use of ELRs at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) in South Africa. A quantitative research approach with a survey research design was adopted to collect data. Stratified sampling techniques were employed to select the sample consisting of forty- five scholars and 150 postgraduate students. The findings revealed that UNIVEN scholars and postgraduate students have access to the prerequisite infrastructure and technology for accessing ELRs. Likewise, the study found that scholars and postgraduate students at UNIVEN have regular access to the internet. The study recommends that UNIVEN library provides research commons for scholars and postgraduate students within the library building.