The transformative impact of current awareness services on promoting access and use of open access resources at the University of Zambia
Chitumbo, Eness Munzya Miyanda
The study of open access usage in higher learning institutions in developing countries has been an
area of concern over the past years due to the many opportunities it offers in academia, such as
making available and accessible scientific research freely. As such, the University of Zambia’s
library has strategically included open access resources in its collection.
Despite this effort, the use of open access resources by the University of Zambia’s students and
researchers has remained low. This study, therefore, purposed to identify and recommend
appropriate current awareness services that the University of Zambia’s library could use to
promote awareness and uptake of open access resources in the University. According to the
literature review, no study has been done on the use of current awareness services to promote open
access resource use at the University of Zambia. Further, the extent to which current awareness
services have been used to promote open resources at the University is also not known.
This study identified itself in the pragmatic paradigm and used the mixed methods approach and a
case study-mixed methods design to investigate the problem. The Unified Theory of Acceptance
and Use of Technology was used to provide the context for examining and explaining the study
findings.
Although the overall results revealed an average level of awareness and low usage of the open
access resources among students and researchers, the majority regarded open access resources as
very useful, relevant in their academic and professional work and of academic quality, hence had a
positive perception. The identified challenges associated with open access use include lack of
awareness due to inadequate marketing of open access resources, lack of effective user search
skills, poor institutional infrastructure for accessing online resources and continued use of print
materials.
The study recommends the adoption of social media platforms, email/RSS/Google alerts, UNZA
website, selective dissemination of information, WhatsApp groups, mobile phone alerts and
vendor alerts to boost awareness. Other strategies include involving all stakeholders in promoting
online resources, robust awareness programmes, enhanced training, improved Internet
infrastructure and a user mindset change.
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