Exploring User Experiences with Digital Library Services: A Focus Group Approach

This study is a description of how university students perceive digital library services, or the integration of digital library elements within the traditional or hybrid library services in academic libraries. These services were identified through a preliminary Study that evaluated the digital services offered by twenty university libraries. The top five university libraries with most services offered were selected. Qualitative method of data collection using ten focus groups consisting of 81 postgraduate students was employed. Overall, the focus group discussions reveal that digital services are very well received by users. The most popular being access to online databases, e-joumals and e-books. Users almost unanimously request for more online help to assist in search for information and improve their information seeking skills. The results have implications for academic libraries providing digital services in a networked environment and recommendation made include providing better guidance to users, and solicit feedback to make evidence-based decisions on digital library service delivery.