The main purpose of this project was to examine the current problems faced by the users and the librarians while using and providing reference services respectively hence coming up with the design of an E-reference service system. The objectives of the study were to: The sample size composed of 48 respondents, 3 reference librarians, 40 Library patrons and 5 Library staff,. During data analysis and presentation data was analyzed using the different data process that enables the researcher to eliminate any erroneous data,Ethical considerations which include informed consent, confidentiality, openness, and limitation of the study. The findings also revealed that ever Ugandan can access the reference section as long as you have paid the 2000shs but these reference materials where very old and outdated especially the encyclopedia and dictionaries to match with information needs of the users. The findings further revealed that the current reference module used at National Library of Uganda was so cam some where the Library patron had to walk physically to the Library Desk In conclusion the proposed E-reference service system is better, that it was improve on the way reference services are provided to the users especially the Global users however it can work hand in hand with the current module of reference service provision. The researcher concludes that the main purpose of an E-reference service system was to serve global users, those people that can‟t come physically to the Library, professionals that are always busy in order to make the Library reference section accessed 24/7 The research recommended that the management of National Library of Uganda should adopt the proposed E-reference service system because it does not require a lot of money to operate and the Library staff should be trained on how to use the system to be able to meet the needs of the users. The researcher should provide guidelines to the Library staff about the entire set up of the system right from the login to the report and how to be able to get the final output which is a list for registered Library users. The researcher recommends that the Library users should provide correct information about themselves for the Library staff to print out the lists of registered Library users and to be contacted in case of an emergency. The researcher recommends that the Library staff should be trained on how to use the proposed system to avoid debugging during the registration process.

show more