Library and Information Science Education and Training in Uganda: Trends, Challenges, and the Way Forward

Okello-Obura, Constant; Kigongo-Bukenya, I.M.N.

doi:10.1155/2011/705372

Cited by 20 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Given the pervasive diffusion of OS ILS in Uganda, including the knowledge and skills to implement, maintain, service and adapt OS ILS in the curriculum is especially important for librarians entering the profession. University management and administration as well as the government must recognize that additional resources will be required, given that Okello-Obura and Kigongo-Bukenya (2011) found that there are inadequate educators in IT-related courses and that LIS schools have poor technology infrastructure.…”

Section: Academic Libraries In Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Diffusion of open source integrated library systems in academic libraries in Africa

Ponelis

Adoma

2018

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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.

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Section: Academic Libraries In Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Diffusion of open source integrated library systems in academic libraries in Africa

Ponelis

Adoma

2018

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“…The lack of appreciation by policy makers of the role libraries play in the development of Uganda reported by Okello-Obura and Kigongo-Bukenya (2011) is a critical issue. Libraries and university management should play a leading role in advocating for libraries, and creating greater awareness of the central role that academic libraries play in national development is vital, particularly given initiatives to transform higher education through the AU’s Agenda 2063 and CESA 2016–2026 and the Ugandan Government’s Vision 2040.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives on university library automation and national development in Uganda

Buwule

Ponelis

2017

IFLA Journal

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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. Effective adoption of an integrated library system 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 integrated library system improved library operations and played an important role in supporting national development. This study also highlights the continued challenges of adopting an integrated library system in developing countries such as Uganda, which, if addressed, could further improve information service delivery for a nation’s socio-economic transformation.

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“…Furthermore, the changing needs of employers have led to many changes in the LIS profession. Consequently, the names of LIS education programmes, LIS education awards and LIS education courses have all changed (Okello-Obura and Kigongo-Bukenya, 2011).…”

Section: A R T I C L E I N F O R M a T I O N Abstractmentioning

confidence: 99%

Library and Information Science (LIS) Education in Nigeria: Emerging Trends, Challenges and Expectations in the Digital Age

Abubakar

2021

Journal of Balkan Libraries Union

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as it was then called) now University of Ibadan Library School. Since then, LIS education in Nigeria has passed through certain developmental trends in its chequered history and has seen steady progression, notably in terms of expansion. Considering the recent transformations in all sectors which have resulted in globalization that is accompanied with massive radical changes in all spheres of human endeavor, LIS educational programmes globally are expected to be amenable to such radical changes. Therefore, changes in curriculum, teaching and learning methods as well as assessment systems are inevitable and desirable. This paper, based on relevant literature, examines LIS education in Nigeria, its emerging trends, challenges and expectations in the digital age. It provides a historical antecedent of LIS education in the country. The paper also discusses contemporary global trends and developments in LIS education and the responses of LIS education towards these changes. It examines the present Nigerian perspective in LIS education and stresses that total reformation is desirable through ensuring that curricula and teaching facilities are always up to date for meaningful training. The paper further explores the major challenges/constraints confronting LIS education in Nigeria that include among others; perennial failure of the government to fund education properly, and LIS education in particular, paucity of infrastructure and learning resources as well as the general deficit of faculty members especially those with PhD degrees. It then explores the expectations of LIS education in the digital age, and as well offers suggestions on how to mitigate the identified challenges, notably through developing impact-oriented operational strategies by the LIS schools and galvanizing support to attract more funds. The paper concludes by emphasizing that LIS education in Nigeria can be more significant in this digital age if curricula and relevant teaching aids/infrastructure are in line with the current emerging global trends and perspectives.

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Library and Information Science Education and Training in Uganda: Trends, Challenges, and the Way Forward

Cited by 20 publications

References 21 publications

Diffusion of open source integrated library systems in academic libraries in Africa

Diffusion of open source integrated library systems in academic libraries in Africa

Perspectives on university library automation and national development in Uganda

Library and Information Science (LIS) Education in Nigeria: Emerging Trends, Challenges and Expectations in the Digital Age

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