The role of academic libraries in the enhancement of information literacy: A study of the Fort Hare Library

Abstract

Students today are faced with many difficulties in finding information, because new technology makes information available in different, mainly electronic, formats. For this information to be accessed and used properly, students are required to be information literate. It is a duty of today’s libraries to equip students with the necessary information skills to function effectively and to meet challenges of the information age. This paper reports on an investigation into the role of the University of Fort Hare Library in the enhancement of students’ information literacy. A survey was conducted among both undergraduate and postgraduate students and results of a total of 246 responses were analysed. Findings show that while there is some evidence that the University of Fort Hare Library is engaging in information literacy activities, students still have difficulty in finding, critically evaluating and using information.