Agricultural and Food E-Resources Usage at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus

Abstract

An analysis of selected agricultural and food e-resources at UWI Mona Campus indicate only a small percentage of students and lecturers are utilizing these.

These statistics are alarming for a number of reasons, namely: (a) the high cost of these e-resources; (b) the value in e-resources as posited by authors; (c) the reality that e-resources are a feature of the Web 2.0 age in which we currently reside; (d) and quality reviewers’ and accreditation board members’ expectations of universities to provide e-resources. If it is that e-resources are so valuable and are a feature of the Web 2.0 era and yet they are being underutilized, this has clear implications for research throughput in respect of such matters as: term papers, lectures and publications in agricultural and food sciences. Additionally, the low usage threatens the viability of continuing the provision of these e-resources at UWI. Using the UWI Mona Campus population this paper seeks to provide an understanding of the reasons for the current usage patterns; the implications for collection management as well as for research throughput; and the ways in which greater usage can be encouraged.