Gender disparity in usage of electronic resources: a practical study of valley view university (VVU) library, Ghana

Abstract

This study focuses on the awareness, access, purpose and frequency of use of electronic resources and the challenges confronting male and female users in accessing electronic resources in the library of Valley View University, Ghana. The descriptive survey method was the design adopted for this study. Questionnaires were the main instrument for data collection. The population of the students was 336 which comprised 188 males and 148 female students from the School of Business - Accounting option. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 16 Version) was used to analyse the data. The study disclosed that the gap between male and female students on the use of e-resources at VVU is quite negligible. The study recommended that there should be regular flow of power in the library and improvement in the speed of internet services. The management should increase internet bandwidth so that there will be faster internet connectivity in the library to avoid students queuing and wasting time when accessing the electronic resources. The management should also create awareness of the electronic resources through mailing list, leaflets, circulars, radio broadcasting, blogs, social media, meetings, workshops, and orientations for users among others.