Online library tutorials in Mexican universities: presence and characteristics

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the presence of online library tutorials in the library websites of public universities in Mexico and to analyze the main characteristics of these materials. Design/methodology/approach Through October and November, 2015, the number of online library tutorials was quantified in 230 public universities in Mexico and their characteristics were analyzed based on an 18-item template grouped into four categories: general information, presentation, content and active learning. Findings Only 81 (29.2 percent) of the 279 libraries evaluated offer some type of instructional material to their users. A great variability was found regarding the quantity of tutorials presented by each library and its origin (elaborated by the library vs third party materials). The majority of tutorials deal with the use of library services or the management of a specific information resource. The most usual formats are pdf and video, and generally have few elements of active learning. Practical implications Results obtained in this study provide a useful diagnosis for decision-making regarding the creation, improvement and diffusion policies of online library tutorials in university libraries. Originality/value This is the first study carried out about the presence and characteristics of online library tutorials in university libraries in Mexico.