Usage and Application of E-Resources among English Medium School Libraries of Bangladesh: A Model Plan

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