| dc.description.abstract | This project aimed at designing an information storage and retrieval system for Merryland High School library, Kigungu. The objectives of the study were: to examine the current system of retrieving information materials in Merryland High School library, to identify the challenges associated with the current retrieval system used in the Merryland High School library, to identify the necessary requirements for designing a new information retrieval system for the Merryland High School library, to design an information retrieval system for Merryland High School.
Methodology: we used a case study design with a descriptive research technique that was intended to present a vigorous and up to date description of the current affairs within the research site (Merryland High School library). With the help of questionnaires, observation guides as well as interview guides, the data that was collected was very helpful in designing an information retrieval system for the Merryland High School library. The major findings there was a number of information materials managed by the school library that’s are used by the library users such as; textbooks, question banks, holy books as well as reference books, periodicals like newspapers, reports, charts among others; the information materials within the library are under-utilized due to reasons of not being acquainted with the library services;absence of user education, limited resources and equipment, limited staff to the user needs, limited funds and lastly, lack of information materials in the library. These challenges inspired us, the researchers, to develop an information retrieval system to enable efficient and effective work for the librarians in the retrieval of information materials within the library.
Some of these requirements include; security of the information materials, a user friendly interface, a building or facility that can provide online help to the users in aiding their search for the various information materials, library authority to manage the operations of the information retrieval system, compatibility with various operating software or systems to allow data searching and display of search results. In conclusion, an automated storage and retrieval information system would solve most of the problems with the manual system currently being used at Merryland High school library.
Recommendations: Merryland Highschool library should adopt the designed information and storage system that shall address most of the challenges above; Librarians should be trained on how to manage the designed system; students should also be trained on how to use ICTs to retrieve information. | en_US |
