Strategies for improving the security of information resources for St. Mary’s College Kisubi Library

Abstract

The study aim was to design strategies for improving the Security of Information resources for St. Mary’s College Kisubi Library and its objectives were to identify the types of information resources, to identify challenges affecting security of information resources, to determine measures for improving security of information resources and to propose strategies for improving the security of information resource at St. Mary’s College Kisubi library. The study involved three data collection methods which included questionnaires, interview and observation method. The study target population was 500 from which a sample of 217 was selected. The researcher used case study design, qualitative approach, descriptive survey and purposive sampling techniques in collecting data. The study revealed that the types of information resources at St. Mary’s College Kisubi library included both print and electronic. The security measures that can be put in place to take care of information resources in St. Mary’s College Kisubi Library included the restriction of unauthorized access, digitization, and adoption of the proposed strategies for improving the security of its information materials. The study findings revealed that the challenges facing information resources in St. Mary’s College Kisubi library include; inadequate library storage facilities, understaffing, small storage space, insect and rodents, light and dust. The study concluded that the St. Mary’s College Kisubi library lacks clear formulated strategies which can be used to ensure improvement of information resource security. Also the library space is limited to cater for the highly increasing number of users and information resources. Finally the recommendations on how to improve the security of information resource at St. Mary’s College Kisubi library included the use of fire extinguishers, duplication of vital library information materials (photocopying) and training of staff. The study recommends that St. Mary’s College Kisubi library should make arrangements to expand library space so as to solve the problem of limited space and ensure that information resources are stored in one place because storing them in the reading room might lead to loss. The library should be enlarged so as to accommodate all information resources in St. Mary’s College Kisubi Library. As a result there will also be enough reading space for the library users hence security.