Ref Type: Journal Article
Authors: Darries,Fatima,
Title: Internet access and use in reference services in higher education institutions in South Africa
Publication Full: South African Journal of Library & Information Science
Year: 2004 Volume: 70 Issue: 2
Start Page: 72 Other Pages: 85
Descriptors: INTERNET access for library users, INTERNET service providers, ELECTRONICS in surveying, EDUCATION, WEB sites, ELECTRONIC mail messages, SOUTH Africa,
Abstract:
This paper is based on part of a survey that investigated the impact of the Internet on reference services. An electronic survey was conducted using the Web and e-mail to distribute the questionnaire. The target population was the heads of reference services at large libraries and the directors at smaller libraries of the 36 higher education institutions in South Africa. The response rate to the questionnaire was 28 (30.4 %); two returned questionnaires were spoilt. The following results are therefore based on the 26 (28.2%) unspoilt completed questionnaires. These results showed that all libraries surveyed have Internet access, and all but one provided access to their users. Librarians had access to the Internet for a longer period than their users. User Internet training tended to be on a one-to-one basis at the point-of-use. The majority of librarians had attended formal Internet training programmes. While the majority of libraries had web sites, only a small number of librarians had individual pages that they updated and maintained. The majority of libraries provided electronic reference via e-mail and the library web site, but these were characterised by low usage. Libraries lacked adequate computer facilities and, consequently, provided limited Internet access to students. Librarians have integrated the Internet as an information tool, but have not fully exploited what the Internet offers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]; Copyright of South African Journal of Library & Information Science is the property of Forum Press International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts)
Notes:
M3: Article; Accession Number: 15409106; Darries, Fatima 1; Email Address: Fatima@ctech.ac.za; Affiliation: 1: Cape Technikon Library Services, P.O. Box 652, CAPE TOWN 8000, South Africa.; Source Info: 2004, Vol. 70 Issue 2, p72; Subject Term: INTERNET access for library users; Subject Term: INTERNET service providers; Subject Term: ELECTRONICS in surveying; Subject Term: EDUCATION; Subject Term: WEB sites; Subject Term: ELECTRONIC mail messages; Subject Term: SOUTH Africa; NAICS/Industry Codes: 611699 All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction; NAICS/Industry Codes: 611710 Educational Support Services; NAICS/Industry Codes: 923110 Administration of Education Programs; NAICS/Industry Codes: 519130 Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals; NAICS/Industry Codes: 517110 Wired Telecommunications Carriers; NAICS/Industry Codes: 517919 All Other Telecommunications; Number of Pages: 14p; Document Type: Article
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Retrieved Date:January 1, 1970
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Publisher: Forum Press International
Place Of Publication: NULL
Issn Isbn: 2568861