Guidelines for enhancing utilization of library information services in St. John’s Wakiso senior secondary school library, Wakiso

Abstract

The project study aimed at designing guidelines for enhancing utilization of information services in St. John’s Wakiso Senior Secondary School Library (SJSSSL). The study objectives were; to find out the current status of library services in SJSSSL, to identify the Information services offered by SWJSSSL, to find out challenges affecting SJSSSL in relation to services provision, to establish Solutions that can be adopted to enhance utilization of Library services in the SJSSSL and to propose guidelines for enhancing utilization of library and information services in SWJSSSL. The study used a case study research design while adopting qualitative research approach. Interviews and observation were the data collection methods the researcher used. The researcher also used a purposive sampling technique to select a sample of 19 respondents whom she expected to have more knowledge about guidelines for enhancing utilization of library information services at St. John’s Wakiso Senior Secondary School Library. The findings of the study revealed that: there were various services offered by the library including internet services, circulation of different services but they are not maximally utilized by the library users. Also, the study indicates that as user orientation issues and cost of information services are most pressing factors that hinder utilization of library services. Other Identified challenges in the access and utilization of library services, included: limited library user skills, computer illiteracy and limited skills among the teachers and students. The study therefore concluded that, in order to maximally utilize the available library services at SWJSSSL, the designed guidelines in chapter five for enhancing utilization of information services should be adhered and followed by the library. This will help to minimize on the number of challenges currently facing St. John's Wakiso Senior Secondary School Library, hence optimum utilization of the available information services. The study recommends adoption of the developed guidelines for enhancing utilization of information services. Other recommendations include: Continuous user education programs should be rendered to library users so that they can get informed of the available library information services.