A digital Library for Islamic Call University College

Abstract

The project aimed to design, develop, and implement a digital library system tailored to Islamic Call University College’s (ICUC) unique academic and cultural needs. The objectives focused on examining existing library resource access methods, identifying challenges, determining requirements, and creating a functional digital library system to enhance resource accessibility and preservation.

Results indicated that ICUC predominantly relied on print-based resources with limited digital access, causing significant delays and inefficiencies. Key challenges included constrained physical holdings, restricted operating hours, poor digital infrastructure, inadequate user training, and staff resistance to technological adoption. Respondents emphasized the necessity for a scalable, secure, and user-friendly digital platform fully integrated with existing institutional workflows. The design phase prioritized modular system architecture, employing visual modeling tools like entityrelationship diagrams to optimize functionality and usability. Pilot testing validated the system’s reliability, ease of use, and effective resource retrieval, supported by high access success rates and user satisfaction.

Ultimately, we developed digital library system that effectively addresses critical access constraints at ICUC, offering a sustainable and inclusive solution aligned with academic standards. It significantly improves equitable access to information that can support academic excellence, preserves unique cultural heritage, and sets a precedent for similar institutions in resourceconstrained environments.

With the system developed, we recommend that ICCU adopts the system. For effective use of the system, we further recommend continuous user training, infrastructure enhancement, multilingual and mobile-compatible interfaces, rigorous data privacy compliance (including GDPR adherence), and ongoing monitoring through analytics and user feedback channels.