A strategy for ICT utilisation in Old Kampala Senior Secondary School Library

Abstract

This study investigated the utilization of Information and communication Technologies (ICTs at Old Kampala Secondary School. The aim of the study was to inquire into the utilization of information and communication technologies in the school Library. The specific purposes were to: (i) identify the ICT facilities that are available in the school library, (ii) determine the extent of utilization of ICT among the library users, (iii) identify barriers to effective use of ICTs in the school library, and (iv) proffer strategies for enhancing ICT utilization in the school library. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Stratified sampling technique was used in choosing the sample. The population of the study consisted of ninety students and ten library staff. The researcher designed instruments were used and these were questionnaire, interview schedule and observation checklist. The mean was used in answering the research questions and bar charts were used to show-case the analysis of the study. Data collected from the questionnaires, interview schedules and observation checklist were analyzed using descriptive statistical method. Based on the data collected and analyzed, findings revealed that: the commonly available ICT facilities in the school library were computers, UPS, video tapes, sets, photocopiers and printers; users were not satisfied with the ICT facilities available in the library; some of the barriers to effective utilization of ICTs in the library were inadequate funding, staff low level of computer literacy, inadequate ICT infrastructure and low level of ICT awareness among users; users of the library at Old Kampala use ICTs mainly for accessing educational information, keeping abreast with current news, events, Internet browsing, down loading and storing information for personal use and for word processing. Based on these findings the researcher recommended that The School board should adequately fund the school library, the school library should partner with other agencies in ensuring the provision of ICT facilities, and school library authorities should sponsor their staff to ICT- related workshops and training, and should organize workshops and seminars on ICT literacy for library users. The study concluded that, Old Kampala Secondary school Library need to employ the use of ICT facilities and resources if their services are to improve.