In today’s era of digitization, libraries across Africa are gradually shifting from piles of books to becoming digital, making it more effective, efficient, usable, accessible, quality and ensuring user satisfaction. Electronic library is a digital setting that keeps and organizes electronic books and their associated documents. Electronic libraries present a new and better platform for providing 24/7 access to latest and updated library materials, improving research and sharing knowledge. In well- developed economies, virtual library is the main source for preserving information and disseminating knowledge. In Ghana, the government through its agency, Ghana Library Authority has setup a digital library contents where students, including those in the health sector can read, watch and listen to eBook, video and audiobook collections aimed at optimizing responsible use of time for children whilst ensuring quality education. Nevertheless, some traditional librarians are of the view that electronic library has challenges which could limit its services, including intermittent power supply, limited access to internet services, poor and sufficient bandwidth. This paper therefore determines the impact of e- library on the performance of health students in institutions of higher education in Africa.

1. AKENTEN APPIAH- MENKAH UNIVERSITY OF SKILL TRAINING
AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT
THE IMPACT OF E- LIBRARY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HEALTH
STUDENTS IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN AFRICA
Prince Duah Mensah
Department of Information Technology, AAMUSTED
Email: successprinceduahmensah@gmail.com
Contact: +233533577389
Prof. D. A. Yarhands
Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Mathematics Education, AMMUSTED
Email: ydarthur@aamusted.edu.gh
Contact: +233244071973
Dr. George Asante (PhD)
Head, Department of Information Technology, AAMUSTED
Email: gasante@aamusted.edu.gh
Contact: +233242927029
Dr. Kwabena Osei Kuffour (PhD)
University Librarian, Kumasi Technical University, GHANA
Email: osei.kadjei@kstu.edu.gh
Contact: +233242065767

2. THE IMPACT OF E- LIBRARY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HEALTH
STUDENTS IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN AFRICA
Prince Duah Mensah, Yarhands Arthur Dissou, George Asante
Department of Information Technology, Akenten Appiah- Menka University of Skill Training
and Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi 1277, Ashanti, Ghana.
Email address: successprinceduahmensah@gmail.com Phone No.: +233 (0) 533577389
Kwabena Osei Kuffour
Department of Information Science, Kumasi Technical University, Post Office Box 854 Kumasi,
Ashanti, Ghana.
Abstract
In today’s era of digitization, libraries across Africa are gradually shifting from piles of books to
becoming digital, making it more effective, efficient, usable, accessible, quality and ensuring user
satisfaction. Electronic library is a digital setting that keeps and organizes electronic books and
their associated documents. Electronic libraries present a new and better platform for providing
24/7 access to latest and updated library materials, improving research and sharing knowledge. In
well- developed economies, virtual library is the main source for preserving information and
disseminating knowledge. In Ghana, the government through its agency, Ghana Library Authority
has setup a digital library contents where students, including those in the health sector can read,
watch and listen to eBook, video and audiobook collections aimed at optimizing responsible use
of time for children whilst ensuring quality education. Nevertheless, some traditional librarians are
of the view that electronic library has challenges which could limit its services, including
intermittent power supply, limited access to internet services, poor and sufficient bandwidth. This
paper therefore determines the impact of e- library on the performance of health students in
institutions of higher education in Africa. The paper specifically assesses the extent of the use of
electronic library by health students; the effects of electronic library on the performance of health
students; and the ways to encourage the use of electronic library to enhance the performance of
these health students. A survey questionnaire was distributed randomly to a total of 400 health
students and some faculty members at Christian Service University College in Kumasi in Ghana.
The data were analysed quantitatively using IBM SPSS software (version 23). The result shows
that electronic library provides continuous access to latest and updated library materials for health
students. In conclusion, electronic library has a great effectiveness on the performance of health
students. For further studies, there is the need to consider the impact of e- libraries on sustainable
national development in Ghana.
Keywords: Electronic Library, Students Performance, Institutions of Higher Education