PERCEIVED BENEFITS ON THE USAGE OF E-LIBRARY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Taking into consideration the perceived benefits on the usage of e-library or electronic library services from the students is important to assist and serve them better in their needs. With this, the study attempted to describe and analyze the perceived benefits on the usage of e-library among university students. Specifically, this study endeavored to determine:
(1) the profile of the respondents;
(2) the perceived benefits on the usage of e-library among second year and third year students; and
(3) the significant difference between the perceived benefits on the usage of e-library among second year and third year students in terms of the respondents’ gender and college.

To interpret the results, descriptive research design was used. The study was conducted at Mindanao University of Science and Technology, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City within the first semester of school year 2013-2014. This study made use of purposive non-random sampling. Each college was represented by the following programs: Food Science and Technology for College of Arts and Sciences, Information Technology for College of Industrial and Information Technology, Civil Engineering for College of Engineering and Architecture, and Special Education for College of Policy Studies Education and Management. There were a total of 159 respondents who participated in the survey that were considered in this study. The data were analyzed by using the following statistical tools:
(1) descriptive statistics, such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation to describe the frequency levels of the perceived benefits on the usage of e-library according to the variables presented, and
(2) correlation was employed to determine the benefits on the usage of e-library based on gender and their respective college.

With regard to the results for the profile of the respondents, majority were female. For the perceived benefits on the usage of e-library among university students particularly the second year and third year students of Mindanao University of Science and Technology, they found the services beneficial. They maximized the use of ProQuest Research Library for their academic work like making undergraduate thesis and other research related homework, Office Processing Suite for encoding and presenting reports; Programming Tools to accomplish computer related school work and Wi-fi Services for easy access of web 2.0 tools. In terms of the correlation on determining the benefits on the usage of e-library with regard to gender, there is no significant relationship. However, there is a significant relationship on the perceived benefits on the usage of e-library among university students when grouped according to college.

In summary, part of the vision-mission of Mindanao University of Science and Technology is to become one of the countries’ leading providers of scientific and technological knowledge. With this, the university shall primarily provide advanced education and advanced research in developing the critical thinking skills required for global competitiveness. Thus, students' perceived benefits on the usage of e-library is just apt in enhancing and enriching their learning skills. Hence, with this study of determining the perceived benefits of e-library among students provided by the e-library will help the facility provide better opportunities and services.