Perspectives on university library automation and national development in Uganda

Abstract

Academic libraries in universities store large volumes of research that can be used for development purposes to support teaching, learning, research, innovation, community outreach and partnerships. Library automation incorporates the adoption of integrated library systems (ILS). Effective adoption of an ILS enables broad-based access to global and local knowledge sources to solve local, regional and national development challenges. Using a sequential mixed methods approach in a case study of a Ugandan public university, Kyambogo University, this study investigated the perceptions of librarians, information workers and other university stakeholders with respect to library automation and the contribution thereof to national development. The results confirmed that the ILS improved library operations and plays an important role in supporting national development. This study also highlights the continued challenges of adopting an ILS in developing countries such as Uganda, which, if addressed, could further improve information service delivery for a nation’s socio-economic transformation.