Evaluating Digital Library Services in Ghanaian Private Universities: Challenges and Strategic Advantages

Patience Adetsi; Patience Emefa Dzandza Ocloo

doi:10.70112/ajist-2025.15.1.4309

Authors

Patience Adetsi Department of Information Studies, University of Ghana, Ghana
Patience Emefa Dzandza Ocloo Department of Information Studies, University of Ghana, Ghana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70112/ajist-2025.15.1.4309

Keywords:

Digital Library Services, Private Universities, Ghana, User Awareness, Training and Support

Abstract

Despite the potential benefits of digital library services in private universities for improving learning outcomes and information access, there is a lack of research on the extent of their implementation and use. This study examines the availability and utilization of digital libraries in private universities in Ghana. The objectives are to determine the extent of digital library provision, assess the current state of digital library services, and identify the benefits and challenges of these services. A mixed-method approach was employed, collecting data from head librarians and student library users at Valley View University (VVU) and Pentecost University (PU) in Ghana. The findings indicate low awareness and usage among students, highlighting the need for awareness strategies. Insufficient training and support were found to impact access, while user satisfaction was linked to experiences with digital library resources and interfaces. Recommendations include tailoring digital library services to meet users' academic needs, increasing awareness to enhance usage in private universities, and addressing gaps in training and support.

References

Amofah-Serwaa, N. (2018). Digital library services in academic libraries: A study of selected academic libraries in Ghana. University of Ghana. http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh

Anasi, S. N., Ukangwa, C. C., & Fagbe, A. (2018). University libraries: Bridging digital gaps and accelerating the achievement of sustainable development goals through information and communication technologies. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 15(1), 13–25. https://doi.org/10.1108/wjstsd-11-2016-0059

Anyim, W. O. (2018). E-library resources and services: Improvement and innovation of access and retrieval for effective research activities in university e-libraries in Kogi State, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-Journal), 1647. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphil prac/1647

Asafu-Adjaye, M. A., & White, E. (2023). Exploring research support by academic librarians to faculty members. Practical Academic Librarianship: The International Journal of the SLA Academic Division, 13(1), 60–78. http://journals.tdl.org/pal

Aviamu, Y. A., Popoola, B. O., & Atuase, D. (2019). Adoption of cloud computing by academic libraries for research data protection. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2777. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphil prac/2777

Bansode, N. N., & Shinde, M. G. (2019). Impact of new technologies in the digital libraries. Journal of Advancements in Library Sciences, 6(Special Issue 1), 279–283. https://doi.org/10.37591/joals.v6i1.1772

Begum, D., & Elahi, M. H. (2022). Digital library services to support online learning amid COVID-19: A study of a private university library in Bangladesh. Digital Library Perspectives, 38(3), 332–345. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-03-2021-0025

Bera, S. K. (2016). Digital library and its services in the modern IT era. International Journal of Library and Information Studies, 6(4), 43–51. https://www.ijlis.org/abstract/digital-library-and-its-services-in-the-modern-it-era-69197.html

Boateng, A. B., & Tindi, S. (2022). Technology appropriation in higher education: The case of communication educators in Ghana. Education and Information Technologies, 2(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.55544/ij rah.2.2.12

Borgman, C. L., Darch, P. T., Sands, A. E., Pasquetto, I. V., Golshan, M. S., Wallis, J. C., Traweek, S., & Wallis, J. C. (2015). Knowledge infrastructures in science: Data, diversity, and digital libraries. International Journal on Digital Libraries, 16(3–4), 207–227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00799-015-0157-z

Chowdhury, G. G., & Chowdhury, S. (2004). Introduction to digital libraries.Library Review, 53(1), 66–67. https://doi.o rg/10.1108/00242 530410514829

Dadzie, P. S., & Walt, T. (2015). Digitizing university libraries in Ghana: How technology is facilitating access to digital content and services. University of South Africa Mousaion, 33(3), 95–114. https://doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/244

Dadzie, P. S., & Walt, T. Van Der. (2015). Planning for digitization of university libraries in Ghana: Challenges and prospects. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-Journal), 1206. http://digitalcomm ons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1206

DeLone, W. H., & McLean, E. R. (2016). Information systems success measurement. Foundations and Trends in Information Systems, 2(1), 1–116. https://doi.org/10.1561/2900000005

Dhamdhere, S., & Ganeshkhind, C. (2017). Digital library services and practices: An online survey. International Journal of Library Science, 6(2). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272295502

Doerr, M., Meghini, C., & Spyratos, N. (2007). Leveraging on associations: A new challenge for digital libraries. First International Workshop on Digital Libraries Foundations. Held in conjunction with the ACM IEEE Joint Conference on Digital Libraries, 21–24. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:15427438

Dzandza, P. E. (2020). Digitizing the intellectual output of Ghanaian universities. Collection and Curation, 39(3), 69–75. https://doi.or g/10.110 8/CC-05-201 9-0012

Fakir, S. A. S. S. (2018). Impact of ICT on academic library services. Vidyawarta International Multilingual Research Journal, Special Issues, 36–42. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337136562

Fakir, S. A. S. S. (2019). Digital library: Services and its application in the information advance and innovative research. International Journal of Advance & Innovative Research, 6(1), 51–55. https://iaraedu.com/ab out-journal/ijair-volume-6-issue-1-xxvii-january-ma rch-2019.php

Fakir, S. A. S. S., & Waghchoure, S. S. (2018). Role of library and information professionals in the digital environment. Vidyawarta International Multilingual Research Journal, 32(Special Issue), 193–201. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337136643

Gaona-García, P. A., Martin-Moncunill, D., & Montenegro-Marin, C. E. (2017). Trends and challenges of visual search interfaces in digital libraries and repositories. The Electronic Library, 35(1), 69–98. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-03-2015-0046

Huwiler, A. G. (2016). Library services for distance students: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Library & Information Services in Distance Learning, 9(4), 275–288. https://doi.or g/10.1080/1533290X.2015.1111283

Isah, A., Mutshewa, A., Serema, B., & Kenosi, L. (2015). Analyzing digital library initiatives: 5S theory perspective. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 21(1), 68–82. https://doi.or g/10.1080/13614 533.2014.927371

Iwhiwhu, B. E., & Eyekpegha, E. O. (2009). Digitization of Nigerian university libraries: From technology challenge to effective information delivery. The Electronic Library, 27(3), 529–536. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470910966943

Jagadeeswari, H. (2017). The awareness and usage of web technologies among library professionals: A study. Asian Journal of Information Science and Technology, 7(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.51983/ajist-2017.7.1.141

Khan, A., Masrek, M. N., Mahmood, K., & Qutab, S. (2017). Factors influencing the adoption of digital reference services among university librarians in Pakistan. The Electronic Library, 35(6), 1225–1246. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-05-2016-0112

Khan, A., & Qutab, S. (2016). Understanding research students’ behavioral intention in the adoption of digital libraries: A Pakistani perspective. Library Review, 65(4–5), 295–319. https://doi.or g/10.1108/LR-06-2015-0070

Khan, R. (2020). The need for digital library resources in the distance education system in India. International Journal of Research in Library Science, 6(1), 93–101. https://doi.org/10.26761/IJRLS.6.1.2020.1318

Khan, S. A., & Bhatti, R. (2017). Digital competencies for developing and managing digital libraries: An investigation from university librarians in Pakistan. The Electronic Library, 35(3), 573–597. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-06-2016-0133

Kistain, L. (2016). Information seeking behavior of users of a special collection and the role of social media in the provision of academic library services. University of Pretoria. https://repository.up.ac.za/ha ndle/2263/51275

Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308

Kumar, C. S. C. M., & Dominic, J. (2014). Users’ satisfaction on library services in Anna University engineering colleges at Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu: A study. Asian Journal of Information Science and Technology, 4(1), 11–15. https://doi.org/10.51983/ajist-2014.4.1.2593

Kumar, R. (2021). Application of cloud computing technology for library re-designing: Moving beyond desktop applications. Library Philosophy and Practice, 5290. https://digitalcomm ons.unl.edu/libphilp rac/5290

Makori, E. O. (2017). Promoting innovation and application of the Internet of Things in academic and research information organizations. Library Review, 66(8–9), 655–678. https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-01-2017-0002

Nwabueze, A. U., & Urhiewhu, O. (2015). Availability and use of digital information resources by undergraduates of universities in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria. International Journal of Digital Library Services, 5(2), 1–15. http://ijodls.in

Ocloo, P. E. D., & King, L. (2022). Management of information systems in academic libraries in Ghana. Technical Services Quarterly, 39(4), 381–411. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317131.2022.2125677

Ogbomo, E. F., & Muokebe, B. (2015). Institutional repositories as an emerging initiative in Nigerian university libraries. Information and Knowledge Management, 5(1), 1–9. https://www.iiste.org

Owusu-Ansah, C. M. (2021). Digital library readiness of distance learners: The access and skills imperative. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-Journal), 5841. https://digitalcommons.u nl.edu/libphilpra c/5841

Owusu-Ansah, C. M., Rodrigues, A. D. S., & Walt, T. Van Der. (2021). Going the full distance: Strategic support for digital libraries in distance education at the University of Education, Winneba, in Ghana. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 53(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000618772871

Owusu-Ansah, C. M., & Rodrigues, S. (2022). Digital information and library services in ODDE: Towards a collaborative digital library model. Handbook of Open, Distance and Digital Education, 819–839. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0351-9

Oyedipe, W. J., Adekunmisi, S. R., Ajiboye, B. A., Olanrewaju, F. T., & Adesoye, A. E. (2018). Use of library resources and services by part-time undergraduates in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria. University of Dar Es Salaam Library Journal, 13(2), 114–129. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/udslj/article/view/184603/173960

Rafiq, M., Ameen, K., & Muunazza, J. (2018). Barriers to digitization in university libraries of Pakistan: A developing country’s perspective. The Electronic Library, 36(1), 101–122. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-01-2017-0012

Serwaa, N. A., Dadzie, P. S., & Owusu-Ansah, C. M. (2022). Awareness and use of digital reference services in academic libraries in Ghana. International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology, 12(Special Issue), 7–29. https://doi.org/10.5865/IJK CT.2022.12.S.007

Sharma, R. K. (2018). Digital libraries: Definitions, needs, major issues, and challenges. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR, 7(12), 891–894. https://www.ijsr.net/archive/v7i12/ART201 93737.pdf

Sinhababu, A., & Kumar, S. (2021). Constructing theoretical framework for virtual reference service: A technology acceptance approach. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-Journal). https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/6547

Skøtt, B. (2021). Democracy, digitisation and public libraries. Digital Library Perspectives, 37(3), 305–323. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-11-2020-0118

Sonker, S. K., & Mahawar, K. (2017). Digital library: Processes, services, challenges, and opportunities. Librarian’s Digital Libraries, 435. https://drtc.isibang.ac.in/ldl/handle/1849/390

Sreenivasulu, V. (2015). The role of a digital librarian in the management of digital information systems (DIS). The Electronic Library, 18(1), 12–20. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470010320380

Tabassuma, M., Roknuzzamanb, M., & Islam, M. M. (2015). Usage of a digital library system at a private university library in Bangladesh. Annals of Library and Information Studies, 62, 94–103. https://nopr.niscpr.res.in/bitstream/123456789/31963/4/ALIS 62%282%29 94-103.pdf

Tom-George, N., & Onyema, N. (2020). Digital library services for sustainable university education. International Journal of Innovative Education Research, 8(3), 128–135. www.seahipaj.org

Umeozor, S. N. (2019). Information networking and its application in the digital era with illustration from the University of Port Harcourt Library. International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology, 9(2), 33–44. https://doi.org/10.5865/IJKCT.2019.9.2.033

Vasantha, B., & Dhanamjaya, M. (2018). Usage of mobile phones for library services by students of REVA University, Bangalore: A study. Asian Journal of Information Science and Technology, 8(2), 29–31. https://doi.org/10.51983/ajist-2018.8.2.185

Vicente, C. (2013). Library challenges in Latin America: The digital context. Journal of Library Administration, 53(5–6), 359–368. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2013.876827

Witten, I., Bainbridge, D., & Nichols, D. (2003). How to build a digital library (2nd ed.). Morgan Kaufmann. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2009-0-19701-5

Xiao, H. (2022). Application of digital information technology in book classification and quick search in university libraries. Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, 2022(1), Article 4543467. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4543467