ASSESSMENT OF LIBRARY AUTOMATION SYSTEMS IN ENHANCING INFORMATION SERVICE DELIVERY IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: A CASE OF KAOLE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

ABSTRACT This study assessed the role of library automation systems in improving information service delivery at Kaole College of Agriculture (KCA) Library. It aimed to examine the contribution of automation to library operations, evaluate user satisfaction, identify challenges affecting automated services, and propose improvement strategies. The study used a descriptive research design with a mixed-method approach. Data were collected from 30 respondents (25 library users and 5 librarians) through questionnaires, interviews, and observation, and analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that library automation has improved multiple areas of library services, with circulation services being the most improved (32%), followed by OPAC services (28%), information retrieval (24%), and cataloguing processes (16%). The majority of respondents (80%) strongly agreed that automation has improved efficiency in service delivery, and 76% were highly satisfied with automated library services. However, the study identified internet connectivity (40%), inadequate ICT infrastructure (24%), and power outages (16%) as the main challenges affecting the effective use of the automation system. The study concludes that while library automation has positively contributed to information service delivery at KCA, its effectiveness is limited by infrastructure challenges. The study recommends strengthening internet connectivity, upgrading automation systems regularly, increasing funding for library automation, conducting continuous staff training, providing user orientation and training, ensuring stable power supply, and establishing a system monitoring and feedback mechanism to ensure sustainable improvement of automated library services.

Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Peer review

Not peer-reviewed

Licence

All rights reserved