The effective use of electronic information services (EIS) in Greek higher education and their relationship to current Greek educational practice

Sidera-Sideri, Ioulia (2013) The effective use of electronic information services (EIS) in Greek higher education and their relationship to current Greek educational practice. Doctoral thesis, Northumbria University.

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Abstract

Over the past two decades Greek university libraries have had to respond to a changing academic and information landscape which impacts significantly on the type of services offered as well as on the way in which these services are offered. The development of Electronic Information Services (EIS) is a major priority in the Higher Education sector. In the same time, the evolution of learning and teaching practice and the changing demands of the academic community affect the libraries’ role and mission. This research explores the relationship between the education system, in terms of the teaching and learning process that are used particularly in the Greek context and EIS provided by libraries. There is a focus here on whether EIS satisfy users’ needs in the current Higher Education context.

A qualitative methodology has been followed in order to provide an in-depth user-centred investigation in two of the libraries at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The empirical investigation draws data from three different groups of participants: students, academics and librarians. It is a user-centered study which presents a picture of the use and understanding of EIS in the context of the library.

Conclusions show that the education system strongly influences the library’s operation by determining its role and services. The research is focused on defining the extent to which EIS meet their objectives from the perspective of all the participants groups. It also emphasizes the importance of the communication between the different parts of the university community and the role of the education system regarding the use of the EIS. IT skills and computer access have been identified as two important parameters in defining the effective use of EIS. The findings of this research, based on the two research sites under investigation, will provide an insight and an understanding of the needs of users and the characteristics of the context. Additionally, it can support librarians and academics in their decision about library operations and how those fit with the wider educational setting.

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