Developing a circulation sytem for Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Library

Abstract

In order to achieve an easier method of book circulation in libraries, designed and implemented library circulation systems are being pushed as a replacement for the manual circulation systems. The project aimed at designing a Library Circulation System for Uganda Human Rights Commission. The objectives of the study were to: examine the current system used to charge and discharge library materials at UHRC, analyze the current trends regarding charging and discharging of library materials, determine the requirements necessary to design and develop a circulation system for UHRC library, and design and develop a circulation system for UHRC Library in order to effectively charge and discharge information materials. A case study research design was used and a qualitative research approach adopted in the study. A sample size of 22 respondents was used consisting of both the library staff and users. Questionnaires, Interviews and Observation were methods of data collection. The study found out that the UHRC library uses a ledger system to charge and discharge materials, borrowing and lending, maintenance of statistics, shelving of books were the activities carried out in the library and were done manually. Maintaining statistical data, tiresomeness, and loss of information materials, time consumption when charging and discharging library materials were the major challenges of a ledger system. The study concluded that introduction of an online circulation system would help to provide a centralized database of books and manage all the library circulation activities. The study recommended that the management of the commission should adopt the proposed circulation system because of its many benefits.