Improving remote access to library resources: a case study of College of Computing and Information Sciences

Abstract

The College of Computing and Informatics Technology Library users face the challenge of keeping track of library resources (books) and limited seating space to accommodate its growing number of students. Library users’ further face the challenge of physical access to the library due to locations especially for external students, the online learning that is being adopted by Makerere University has also created a halt to physical Library. With this project, we proposed to develop an online library system using the case study of the College of Computing and Informatics Technology’s library and its users. In this paper, we highlight the need for online Library, problems users have been facing with physical access to library resources for example case of external students and online learning being implemented by Makerere University. This project is aimed at improving remote access to resources through enabling unrestricted access of resources, use of Portals of Knowledge Gateways and focusing on efficiency. It further discusses the solutions devised to solve the problem and how it will be achieved. Users of the online library include students, lecturers and library staff. These users are authenticated using usernames and passwords for access to be granted. Scope explained the boundaries of the study and project significance described the relevance of the study Literature review explains related work that tried to solve the identified problem. This includes Library Management System, Brigham university service web application, Automated Library Management System for States Universities in Nigeria. The study was conducted at College of Computing and Information Sciences and study participants include students from various programs and Library Admin. Questionnaires, sampling and document review, for data collection and System development approach and System development tool.