Internet and research in Gulu University: the role of

Library and Information Services

Raphael Aregu

E-mail: ul@gu-library.info

website: http://www.gu-library.info

A paper presented at the research workshop at

the Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, 4-6th

March, 2008.

Presenation Format

Theoretical discussion

ICT and research research

ICT

Set strategies

Achievements

General Constraits

Practical position

Mr. Patrick Alfred Ongwen

Introduction

Knowledge generation and application, key to a

research based organisation

Becomes key factor in sustainable development

and human transformation, (Tanvir, 2007)

Re-formating knowledge very crucial to it's

effective utilisation, (World Bank, 2003)

Library Vision and Mission:

Vision: “ be a leading agent in rural transformation and

conservation of biodiversity by being a comprehensive

information and data bank provider by 2010;

mission: “to generate and provide access to a wide and relevant

information suitable for the attainment of the overall University

goals”

Set Strategies

Connect the Library to the Internet.

Establish the LAN/WAN and to interlink Library

Systems/services

Establish OPACs and relevant databases

Develop the Library's website, and Increased

access to electronic resources.

Some outputs so far

Provide up to date information resources by

accessing popular research journals

Provide quality learning space and environment,

Creating metadata. (Bibliographic control of

documents).

Offering virtual reference services.

Teaching information literacy

Some outputs so far cont...

Choosing resources and managing resource

licenses.

Collecting and digitizing archival materials.

Maintaining digital repositories.

Providing free research alerts in different areas

of research

Current Access methods

Direct access to abstracts, citations and full text

articles; [subscribed or open access]

acquisition of a variety of CD-ROMS

Electronic document delivery, [courtesy of the

British Library]

Challenges

Limited Bandwidth: slow download speeds,

timing of users etc

Lack of connected computers (currently nine).

Unstable IP range. Need to authenticate users

by username and password.

Unstable power & unreliable power backup.

Low levels of computer and ICT literacy among

all categories of users.

Challenges cont...

User perceptions/ resistance to change.

Lack of update hardware, PCs and related

facilities and equipments.

Funding limitations

Inadequate staff and skills among the available

staff.

Copyrights, this limits access to the very vital

resources, such as ScienceDirect among others.

Challenges cont...

Lack of University-wide LAN, WAN and

backbone.

Pilot testing OPAC at

http://openbiblio.gu-library.info/opac.php

Mail server at: http://webmail.gu-library.info

Website: http://www.gu-library.info Thank you,