Abstract:
English Medium School Libraries (EMSLs) in Bangladesh increasingly rely on
electronic resources (e-resources) to support international curricula and digitally
mediated learning. However, empirical evidence on their effective usage and application
at the school level remains limited. This study aims to examine the status of e-resources
in EMSLs, assess the role of school libraries in promoting access, awareness, usage, and
application of e-resources, and identify the key barriers hindering their effective
utilization. The study was conducted in ten purposively selected English Medium
Schools in Bangladesh following international curricula such as CAIE, Pearson Edexcel,
and IB. The population comprised library professionals and library users (students and
teachers) of EMSLs. All ten library professionals were included through a census
approach, while 295 library users were selected using random sampling techniques.Data
were collected using two structured questionnaires designed
separately for library professionals and library users, focusing on e-resource
availability, usage patterns, digital comfort, perceived utility, institutional roles, and
challenges.Data were analyzed using SPSS through descriptive statistics, reliability
testing, factor analysis with varimax rotation, correlation analysis, and one-way
ANOVA.The results reveal that although most EMSLs possess moderately to welldeveloped
e-resource infrastructures, usage remains uneven and predominantly examoriented.
Digital comfort and perceived utility significantly influence e-resource usage.
Major barriers include limited digital literacy, insufficient training and awareness
programs, infrastructural constraints, high subscription costs, and weak institutional
policies. Library mediation and teacher–librarian collaboration emerged as critical
enablers of effective application. The study concludes that EMSLs must adopt a
proactive, structured approach to digital literacy and e-resource integration to ensure
equitable and effective digital learning support
