One of the first organizations to make use of on-line information
database as pointed out by Alan (1984) was the US National Library of
Medicine. This was followed in the mid 1960’s and beyond by a number of
groups who set up databases and On-line facilities. Examples are the
Lockheed and SDC (System Development Corporation) BRS (Bibliographic
Retrieval Service) BLAISE (British Library Automated Information
Services) Info line and ESA (European Space Agency). On-line search
techniques can be carried out by either author, title of publication,
subject area or keyword. Any of these methods will display the relevant
information a user can choose from.
Journal Storage (JSTOR) program
is an online journal service that provides a comprehensive coverage of
older journals in core areas. It is an online journal service that
provides access to the full text of more than 450 journals from academic
publishers covering initial issues to within five to seven years.
Electronic
Information for Libraries (elFL), an independent foundation which
strives to lead, negotiate support and advocate for the wide spread of
electronic resources to library users in developing countries. The elFL
program provides some journal packages, especially EBSCOHOST information
service, a while establish aggregator of electronic journal content
that offers full text access to over 10,000 titles. These titles cover
diverse areas such as Science and Technology, Social Sciences and
Humanities.
Awareness of Electronic Database by Lecturers in University Libraries
Awareness is knowledge about particular information and manifested through a particular behavior. Awareness is paramount if lecturers are to effectively and efficiently use electronic resources. Abinew and Vuda (2013) survey on acceptance and use of electronic library services in universities respondents were asked about their awareness of the available e-library services to indicate their answers by way of saying “Yesâ€, “No†and “To some extentâ€. Majority of the respondents (57.97%) responded “To some extent†to indicate that they have only limited awareness about the existence of elibraries resources and didn’t know well and in detail. 20.65% of respondents do not know anything about the existence of the e-library services at all. Only 21.38% of the respondents were well aware of the existence of the e-library services. They also found in the same study that there is no significant difference in awareness of E-databases services that existed between universities, academic staffs , and among streams (faculties/colleges/institutions).
Upadhyay and Chakraborty (2008) reporting on the awareness of online journals and data bases among academics at the Main Library, Institute of Technology Banaras Hindu, noted that 17 Science Direct has awareness frequency( 84.3%), and Springer Links came second with ( 56.25%) and Ebsco host came third( 46.87%) .
Harridan and Khan’s (2009) research study indicated that there exists awareness of e-databases (such as e-books, e-journals, e-encyclopedias, e-theses, CD-ROM databases, e-mail, internet based resource and thee OPAC) among research scholars. Kinengyere (2007) found out that e-journals and other e-resources are not necessarily accessed and used by users. The study shows that the availability of information does not necessarily mean actual use, because academicians may not be aware of the availability of such resources, they do not know how to access these resources. Sharma (2009), Borrego et al. (2007) and Ibrahim (2006) have all reported that e-journals are the most used among the arrays of available electronic resources.
Said (2005) argued that it is not enough to provide electronic resources to library users without letting them know of what is available. Mounting well-organised awareness campaign to draw users' attention to what is available is the greatest challenge encountered in the implementation process. Said (2005) enumerated the different promotional materials for the awareness exercise to the library users. These include posters, pamphlets and bookmarks containing relevant information on the available electronic resources. Comprehensive library website was developed to create awareness and serve as a central point for users to get information on available electronic resources
Manda (2005) reported that a number of potential users seemed not to be aware of or remember receiving information distributed to individual users on the availability of full text journals. Findings from his study revealed that in the same departments that have heavy users of the available electronic resources also have those who claimed to have never heard of them.
Gbaje (2007) in his study of the provision-of online information services in Nigerian academic libraries found that only 20% of the libraries provide information on the available electronic resources in their website.
Aina (2014) survey on awareness, accessibility and use of electronic databases among academic staff of Babcock University found that majority of respondents were aware of Academic Journal 59 (69.4%), followed by JSTOR 48(56.5%) as well as Dissertation and Theses and Ebscohost with 46 (54.1) and 43(50.6) respectively. The analysis also revealed that majority of respondents were not aware of Bookboon, World Bank Open Knowledge Repository and National Virtual Library with 22(25.9%), 28(32.9%) and 25(29.4) respectively. He further concludes that nine out of thirteen databases under consideration were averagely aware by respondents. This implies that there is need to increase awareness to cover all electronic resources the library subscribed to.
