Integrating social media in information services of Makerere University

Abstract

This study aimed at developing guidelines for integrating social media in Library and Information Services at Makerere University Library. Data was collected from 312 questionnaires returned 2 librarians and 2 lecturers using interviews. The results show that majority of responses show that different social media platforms can be used for the provision of Library and Information Services that is, facebook best matches with the provision of current awareness services, blog for the provision of reference services while Watsapp for providing Selective Dissemination of Information and other information services. Social media in Library and Information Services is looked at as a way for providing timely updates and access to information, integrating a new flow of information and facilitating collaboration and promotion of effective communication between the library and the patrons. The results also show that the use of social media in providing Library and Information Services is not effective at MAKLIB because of a number of hindrances such as absence of a policy, skills among library staff and users, as well as lack of interesting posts. In the study, ways of mitigating the hindrances of integrating social media in Library and information services have been suggested by the respondents and at the end of the study, guidelines for integrating social media in Library and Information Services at Makerere University Library have been formulated as this was the major objective of the study.