Creating an online catalogue for Makerere College School Library
Abstract
The study aimed at creating an online catalogue for Makerere College School Library that can help to serve its users at all times. The objectives that guided the project study were to find out the challenges faced by Makerere College School when using a manual library system, To identify the different types of library collection in MACOS, To catalogue 100 information materials that requires cataloguing, To identify and customize the software for creating the online catalogue and To create the Makerere College School Library Catalogue. The study was conducted at Makerere College School on Makerere Hill road, Kampala and the study was limited to finding out the challenges faced by MACOS library when using a manual system, identifying the different types of library collection in MACOS, identifying and customizing the software for creating the online catalogue, creating the Makerere College school library catalogue. The study used case study research design while adopting qualitative research approach and the researcher was working with a population of over 978 respondents. The sample size composed of 77 respondents, 2 librarians, 48 students, 12 class teachers and 12 non class teachers. Data collection methods include; informative interview and focus group discussion. Data was analyzed and presented using the different data presentation methods that enabled the researcher to eliminate any erroneous data, ethical considerations which include informed consent, confidentiality and openness. The findings revealed that Makerere College School Library does not have an online catalogue, the library uses manual system for managing books and are stored on the shelves of which this is faced with challenges like time consuming, theft, and outdated information materials. The study shows that the few respondents didn’t visit the school library on a regular basis due to limited books and the students were recommended to buy their own books as they join the school and they spend most of their time reading their own books and notes, out dated books, inadequate space and lack of awareness. Therefore, from the findings, I can conclude that the influence of the online catalogue in the library is more important for the growth of the library and information services to academic schools. The study recommended that the management of Makerere College School Library should adopt the proposed system because of its many benefits.