Stocktaking guidelines for Makerere University Main Library

Abstract

The study is aimed at formulating guidelines for stock taking in Makerere University Main Library so that the library could be able to control the growing collection of information materials in library and which will enable the smooth running of the library. The objectives that guided the project were to find out how stock taking is carried out in Makerere University Main Library, to find out challenges of faced when stock taking in Makerere University Main Library and to propose the guidelines for stock taking in Makerere University Main Library. The researcher used a descriptive research design to conduct the study .The total population was 154 library staffs from which a sample of 15 respondents was drawn and it included 5 librarians and 10 library staffs. The methods used to collect data included interviews and observation. Major findings of the study were identified including poor record keeping, few staff to do the exercise, no policy to guide stock taking exercise, limited space for shelving and working place, collection is scattered in different locations and carrying out stock taking while attending to users The proposed stock taking guidelines for Makerere University Main Library was formulated based on findings from chapter four. Conclusions were drawn according to the research findings of the study whereby majority of the respondents said that coming up with the stock taking guidelines of Makerere University Main Library would benefit them and the entire library programs since it will provide solutions to the challenges faced by the library. The researcher recommended guidelines that can be adopted so as to improve stock taking of library information materials at Makerere University Main Library like staffing, funding, sensitization of the staff about stock taking the among others.