A web based current awareness service system on Covid-19 for Albert Cook Library, Makerere University

Abstract

The study aimed at designing a Web Based Current Awareness Service System on Covid-19 for Albert Cook Library, Makerere University. The objectives of the study were to; establish the Current Awareness Services, find out the methods used in delivering current awareness services, identify the challenges in offering Current Awareness Services, and design a Current Awareness Service System for Albert Cook Library, Makerere University. The study employed a case study research design while adopting both qualitative and quantitative research approaches in collecting data. Questionnaire, interview, and documentary analysis methods of data collection were used because of the nature of study. Simple random sampling method was used to select the 144 library users and the 4 librarians who participated in the study. Study findings showed that the majority of the respondents, 29 (54%) were female and 25(46%) of the respondents were male. This implied that the respondents were equally represented, thus the data obtained was not gender biased. Majority of the respondents visit the library to access the information to update their knowledge. The research findings showed that the majority of the respondents visit the library on a daily basis, to get more information in their fields of study so there is a need for the current awareness services. The library users visit the Albert Cook Library to access the information materials, to consult about information in the new information materials, and to use computers for research. The study findings showed that the majority of the respondents agreed that the library rarely displays the new arrivals, a good number of respondents disagreed that there are emails sent to them notifying about the new updates in the library. Majority of library users’ access citation alert services. New arrivals display shelves are available in the library and are used to display latest editions. Library bulletins and newsletters are frequently used as well as the current additional information from publishers. The study findings revealed that Albert Cook Library uses a variety of methods in offering current awareness services to users which include personal visit to the library, communication through word of mouth, library displays and library newsletter. The recommendations for the study were; the fact that most of the library users can access these social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp more especially the library users. Librarians should utilize such networks for effective and efficient communication with the library users. The library staff should update the users on the new acquisitions in the library on a daily basis by the use of the library notice boards. This will help the users to get to such information materials in order to meet their needs. The library should have the library visiting period well displayed on the notice boards. These visits should be used by the librarians to issue CAS to the library users.