Accessibility of Electronic Information Services among University Students in Tanzania

Abstract

In today’s world, universities use electronic information services to ease service delivery. This study therefore examined access to electronic information services among students at Mzumbe University and Muhimbili University of Allied Sciences, in Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional research design whereby data were collected using questionnaire and interview guides from students in the surveyed universities. Convenience sampling was used to select 152 students who participated in the study. The findings of the study indicate that several electronic information services are provided and accessed by students such as current awareness service, Public Access Catalogue service, announcement and advertisement service, hostel services, admission and registration services. Students were found to be satisfied with the provided electronic information services although in reality there was lack of enough awareness about the provided electronic information services. The study concludes that there are various electronic information services in both studied universities, which are provided to enhance access to information regarding various issues related to the activities in higher learning institutions. The study recommends that librarians and ICT staff in universities should be readily and willing to assist students in accessing the provided electronic information services