Accessing library materials in academic libraries by students during the Covid 19 era. A case of an Open and Distance Learning Institution

Covid 19 has restricted the traditional use and access of academic libraries and created the new norm. This has resulted in failure by students to use Library computers, access the internet and communicate with Library personnel to help them access library resources. This study sought to establish how the students were accessing the library and the challenges they were facing thereof. The qualitative study approach was used to gather views of library users while the Department of Information Science students were used as a case study. Sampling was done conveniently, the limitation being the availability of respondents. The study gathered data using the telephone interview method and the website content analysis method was employed. The findings of the study were presented thematically guided by research objectives. It was established that the traditional services of the library were not on offer to users at the moment due to travel restrictions and the curfew imposed as a result of COVID 19. The Library could only be accessed electronically/remotely though only a few students had access to the Library’ e-resources. Students lacked knowledge on the availability of e-resources and those who had access to them could not use some of the electronic journals as they either required passwords or were not available. Findings also showed that there were no librarians to respond to requests and questions remotely, making it difficult to navigate through the vast amounts of e-resources. It was also established that some students had challenges such as not having computer gadgets, lack of bandwidth/ internet connectivity and information literacy skills. It was recommended that students are rigorously equipped with information literacy skills and that the content must not be complicated, even phones must be used to access them.