Research Articles

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Browsing Research Articles by Subject "Academic libraries"

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    Comprehensive assessment of drivers and barriers to electronic information resources usage in academic libraries in Uganda using SWOT analysis
    (IP Indian Journal of Library Science and Information Technology, 2024-01-24) Buruga, Bosco Apparatus; Guma, Ali; Izaruku, Ronald
    The high costs of printed Textbooks have negatively affected the education and library services in many developing countries, forcing institutions and universities to utilise electronic information resources (EIRs) to offer library information services and resources to library users. Many universities in northern Uganda adopted EIRs without evaluating them. This study, therefore, seeks to assess the drivers and barriers to EIR usage in academic libraries in Uganda by analysing their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). The study employed a descriptive design to collect quantitative data and a stratified random sampling technique to select the sample size. A structured questionnaire was designed using Google Forms and administered online to the Muni and Lira universities’ teaching staff and final-year students, where 103 were filled by teaching staff and 248 by final-year students. The data collected were analysed using the SPSS Version 28 and RStudio software. Statistical techniques like descriptive analysis were used in the data analysis. The results for the mean ≥ 3.41 were considered statistically significant. The study findings show that most respondents agreed that librarians expose them to all the library EIRs and that it was essential to access EIRs to benefit from its services. The study also identified knowledge and skills, the relevance of EIRs, availability of technological infrastructure and resources, awareness and adaptation, perceived ease of use and access, previous experience, institutional policies, and perceived quality content as the critical drivers for the usage of EIRs in academic libraries. The results of the SWOT analysis identified internal factors (i.e., strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (i.e., opportunities and threats) affecting EIR usage in Ugandan academic libraries. The survey recommends that for the successful adoption and implementation of EIRs in Ugandan libraries, there should be a reliable power supply and internet connectivity for easy access to the EIRs, purchase of more computing devices for accessing the EIRs, training and supporting the users of EIRs in universities; proper accountability and use of donor funds meant for payments of EIRs; and so on. These findings generated ideas that the universities, libraries, and library consortia can use in decis
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    Diffusion of open source integrated library systems in academic libraries in Africa: The case of Uganda
    (Library Management, 2018) Ponelis, Shana Rachel; Adoma, Philliam
    Purpose: Libraries globally automate their operations and services using integrated library systems (ILS) to increase operational efficiency and meet the ever-evolving demands of their users. Open source ILS (OS ILS) has become more popular globally. The purpose of this paper is to better understand the diffusion of OS ILS in academic libraries in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach: Rogers’ diffusion of innovation (DoI) supplemented by the fit-viability theory was used as a theoretical framework. A questionnaire was developed based on extant literature and distributed electronically to representative members of a Ugandan university library association. Findings: The diffusion of OS ILS in Ugandan academic libraries approximates the S-curve expected based on DoI. Ugandan academic libraries are adopting OS ILS for more flexibility to meet changing needs at what is perceived as an affordable cost but not all are fully satisfied. Koha is the most adopted OS ILS and is also being considered by all libraries without any ILS or a proprietary ILS. The information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, organizational procurement policies and national procurement legislation, human resource capacity and limited finances are barriers to diffusion. The total cost of ownership and technical skills required are of particular concern for OS ILS. Research limitations/implications: The research was limited to a single African country and the recommendations may not be transferable to other African countries. Future research can expand the survey, the countries studied and/or address the methodological limitations of this study. Practical implications: When embarking upon library automation using OS ILS or migrating to an OS ILS solution libraries should consider their ICT infrastructure, local support community, available training and be realistic about the costs. Local library associations should provide guidance on OS ILS selection, ongoing training, and opportunities for knowledge sharing. LIS schools should consider expanding their curriculum to include library automation and, in Uganda incorporate training on Koha as OS ILS. Libraries and library associations should advocate to reduce restrictive organizational procurement policies and national procurement legislation. Originality/value: Studies on country-level diffusion of ILS are comparatively few, particularly in African countries. This is the first country-level study of OS ILS diffusion in Uganda. This study can positively impact future patterns of diffusion for optimal deployment of OS ILS software by informing academic libraries, university management, library association, LIS schools, and policymakers in Uganda and across the African continent, and encouraging academics and researchers to teach and study library automation using OS ILS.