guidelines for improving library and information services at st mary’s college, lugazi school library

Description

The study aimed at providing guidelines for improving library services at SMACOL Library. The objectives of the project were; to examine the library services offered at St Mary’s college Lugazi school library, to establish how library services are offered at St Mary’s college Lugazi library, to identify the challenges encountered while providing library services St Mary’s College Lugazi school library, and to propose guidelines to improve on library and information services at St Mary’s College Lugazi school library. The study used a mixed research design that is; both qualitative and quantitative research methods in the study. The respondents were teachers, librarians and the students who provided the information by use of questionnaires and interviews conducted by the researcher. The study findings established that SMACOL Library offer a wide range of library services which included; library orientation, circulation service, photocopying, assistance in locating library materials, exhibition and display, reference services, reading space. The study findings also established that the library users can receive information materials in one day and are accessible from the library. The librarians also use the face to face interactions with the library users to update them about the news and updates in the library, notice boards and the library’s face book page. The challenges faced in delivering the library services at SMACOL Library were; poor library orientation, inadequate information materials, strict rules and regulations, un friendly librarian, small reading room, lack of a library catalogue, inadequate funds, inadequate reading room, inadequate storage space, inadequate computers in the library, and low turn up for students during orientation. The strategies suggested to improve on the library services offered at SMACOL Library were; employing qualified staff, providing more space for reading, allocating funds to the library and provision of computers and internet in the library. The study also suggests the guidelines for effective delivery of library services at SMACOL Library. The recommendations for the study were; displaying new books, need for a written code of ethics in the library, user education programs, need for more effective methods to offer services, and promoting a library as a learning center.