AN ASSESSMENT ON ACQUISITION PROCESS IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: A CASE STUDY OF THE AGENCY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT (ADEM) - BAGAMOYO

ABSTRACT This study assessed the acquisition processes in academic libraries, using the library of the Agency for the Development of Educational Management (ADEM), Bagamoyo, as a case study. The study was guided by general objective, that is to assess how acquisition processes at ADEM affect the development of the library collection, and four specific objectives focusing on the methods used for acquisition, the criteria used for selecting materials, the challenges facing the acquisition process, and possible strategies to overcome these challenges. The study adopted a case study research design and a mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative techniques. A sample of 30 respondents, comprising students and academic and library staff, was involved through questionnaires, interviews and documentary review. Out of 30 questionnaires distributed, 27 were fully completed and returned, giving a response rate of 90 percent. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages, presented in tables and figures, while qualitative data from interviews and documentary review were analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed that the ADEM library relies on a combination different acquisition method such as purchase, donation and exchange and that materials are selected on the basis of relevance to user needs, quality and cost effectiveness. The study further revealed that the acquisition process at ADEM is constrained by delays in the approval and release of funds for procurement and by an inadequate supply of electronic resources, which limits the currency and diversity of the library collection. As a result, a considerable proportion of users are unable to access materials that are current and relevant to their academic needs. The study recommends that ADEM library management should streamline and expedite fund approval procedures for procurement, invest in electronic resources and ICT infrastructure, and adopt strategies such as resource sharing, consortium arrangements and advocacy for sustainable funding, in order to strengthen collection development and better support teaching, learning and research at ADEM.

Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Peer review

Not peer-reviewed

Licence

All rights reserved