Library Automation Strategies and Its Benefits to Stakeholders of the Institute of Adult Education in Tanzania

Abstract

This study focused on library automation strategies and its benefits to the Institute of Adult Education (IAE) stakeholders. The study specifically sought to achieve two objectives: 1) to examine strategies for Automation of the IAE library; and (2) to identify benefits of library automation to IAE stakeholders. The study employed descriptive research design due to the fact that the goal was to provide some baseline data on integrating information and communication technology (ICT) in library services at the IAE. In this study, a total of 96 respondents were involved. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research methods in data collection and analysis. Quantitative data were processed using Microsoft Excel and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The study revealed that strategies for Automation at the IAE, which were underway include the following: installation of local area network, acquisition of library automation software, consultation of Information Technology (IT) experts, budget for automation process, acquisition of equipment for library automation, computer literacy training and discussions of library automation with stakeholders. Moreover, it was found out that the following are benefits of library automation: provision of users with timely access to library materials, reduction of time spent on material acquisition as well as record-keeping, usage of many information search strategies is possible and library users can search for library collection from location outside library walls.