CD-ROM Databases as Information Sources for African Resb-Archers: A Ease Study of the CD-ROM Service at Addis Ababa University Library System.
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Date
1997-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis is a result of the study that was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of CDROM
databases in meeting the research and teaching needs of African researchers, taking
Addis Ababa University Libraries as a case study. The study was carried out by means
of a survey in order to get a user appraisal on how their needs for current information
were being met through the CD· ROM search facilities available in the University
Libraries.
The survey results showed that the service was being underutilized, the major contributing
factor oeing, tne lack of awareness abourllie existence of the service-. - The m~tlro-d'nhar
the Libraries had employed in publicizing CD· ROM were proved to have been ineffective
and users suggested how the Libraries could improve the publicity of the service.
Although the number of staff and students who had actually used CD·ROM facilities was
very small in proportion to the entire user population, their satisfaction rate was very low
and they pointed out certain weaknesses ot the service and recommended measures to be
taken in order to redress the situation.
The respondents who had not used CD-ROM service in the Addis Ababa University
Library System expressed a desire to utilize available databases . The majority of the
respondents were in favour of sustaining CD· ROM even at the expense of journal
subscription and they also overwhelmingly welcomed the idea to have them pay for the
delivery of full text articles provided this would quench their hunger for current
information.
African university libraries have been urged to carry out periodic evaluations of the CDROM
service in order to determine the extent to which it contributes to the fulfilment of
the research and teaching needs of the institutions.
On the basis of the analysis of the survey results recommendations have been made to the
end of ensuring effective and appropriate utilization of CD-ROM databases. The
recommendations include a systematic and consistent User Education Programme,
including orientation of users on the CD-ROM Service and demonstrations; training of
manpower on how to conduct literature searches on CD-ROM; locating the workstations
were they are visible and approachable by users rather than putting them in the basement
or offices; and tlie enac men of a policyOl1information- to- g-overnl helltilization of
available information resources and services, including the effective and appropriate use
of CD-ROM databases . In order to save time for the users, it has been recommended that
databases be created on the articles received through document delivery and that these first
be checked before conducting the search on the CD-ROM databases.
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Keywords
Cd-Rom Databases as Information Sources