The impact of digital libraries on the transfer of information to indigenous students

Abstract

This research analyzes the use of the Digital Libraries of the Biblioteca Central (BCE) by the indigenous students of the University of Brasília (UnB), precisely in the accomplishment of academic and research activities. The specific objectives of this study are: to identify the academic profiles of the indigenous students in the UnB; detect if these students are familiar with the BCE/UnB digital libraries and distinguish their informational skills in the use of these platforms; check how do they use them in their academic and research activities; and, finally, to identify possible difficulties of the indigenous students in the process. This study is theoretical, exploratory and descriptive. From the methodological point of view, it is a quali-quantitative, non-experimental and ethnographic approach. The sample included indigenous students enrolled in UnB. The results showed that these students access digital libraries, however, with minimal frequency. Regarding informational behavior, although the study shows that they are influenced by modernity, when they seek information to meet their information needs, BCE digital libraries are not a priority because they prefer to access the Google search engine.