Open Access

USER INVOLVEMENT IN COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT: HYBRID LIBRARIES IN TANZANIA

PDF

OSCAR SANGA ¹ ,

⁴ Mzumbe University, Dar es Salaam Campus College, P.O. Box 20266, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Abstract

In the evolving landscape of academic libraries, user involvement in collection development has emerged as a critical factor for ensuring that library resources meet the diverse needs of their patrons. This study examines the role of library users in the collection development processes of hybrid academic libraries in Tanzania, which integrate both physical and digital resources. Through a mixed-methods approach involving surveys, interviews, and case studies, the research explores how user feedback is incorporated into collection policies, the impact of user engagement on collection relevance and quality, and the challenges faced in implementing user-driven strategies. The findings reveal that while hybrid libraries in Tanzania are increasingly recognizing the value of user input, there are significant barriers related to resource constraints, training, and communication. The study provides recommendations for enhancing user participation in collection development, aiming to foster more responsive and user-centered library services in the Tanzanian academic context.

Keywords

User involvement, Collection development, Hybrid libraries, Academic libraries, Tanzania

References

Agee J (2005). Collection Evaluation: A Foundation for Collection Development, Collection Building 24(3):92-95.

Agyei V (2012). The De-selection En-masse at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT): Enabler for Implementation of Hybrid Collections, Pretoria - South Africa: Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).

American Library Association (ALA) (2000). Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education.

Baro EE, Keboh T (2012). Teaching and Fostering Information Literacy Programmes: A Survey of Five University Libraries in Africa, The Journal of Academic Librarianship 38(5):311-315.

Benny L (2015). Selection and Acquisition of E-Resources in Academic libraries: Challenges, International Journal of Digital Library Services (IJODLS), 5(2):1-14, (Online), Available at: www.ijodls.in, (Accessed on 4th September, 2015).

Dulle FW, Lwehabura MJF (2004). User Information Literacy: Challenges Facing University Libraries towards Effective Implementation, 6th Standing Conference of African National and University LibrariestowardsEffective Implementation, (SCANUL-ECS) 2nd-5th July 2004, pp. 15-21.

Dulle FW (2010). An Analysis of Open Access Scholarly Communication in Tanzanian Public Universities, Submitted in Accordance with the Requirements Science, South Africa: University of South Africa.

Elder NJ, Hobrock BG, Madsen DL, Wiese WH (1990). Collection Development, Selection, and Acquisition of Agricultural Materials, Library Trends 38(3):442-73.

Evans GE, Saponaro MZ (2005). Developing Library and Information Centre Collections: Library and Information Science Text Series, (4th ed.), Englewood: Libraries Unlimited.

Filson CK (2015). A Comparative Study of Collection Management Practices of University of Cape Coast and University of Education, Winneba Libraries, Ghana, Thesis Submitted to the University of Ghana, Legon in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the award of MPhil Information Studies Degree, University of Ghana, Legon.

Flatley R, Prock K (2009). E-Resource Collection Development: A Survey of Current Practices in Academic Libraries, Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal).

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2 3 4 > >>

International Research Journal of Library and Information Sciences

USER INVOLVEMENT IN COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT: HYBRID LIBRARIES IN TANZANIA

Abstract

Keywords

References

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles