Compliance with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards in University Libraries in Uganda
Abstract
This study assessed the compliance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services in Ugandan university libraries with national and international standards, using a mixed-methods design, juxtaposing the quantitative data obtained from library users and staff (n=433) in 12 universities with qualitative data from interviews, observations, and document reviews. Partial successes were recorded in forcing ICT acceptance on libraries, with libraries offering access to e-resources (mean=4.02) and to operational systems (mean=4.16), with libraries still facing challenges with the availability of computers (mean=2.48), slow Internet services (mean=2.69), limited off-campus access (mean=3.50), and inadequate training of users (mean=3.18). The study concludes that while basic ICT services exist, lapses in compliance are triggered by inadequate funding, lax policy implementation, and technological inefficiencies, calling for infrastructural overhauls, strengthened training provisions, implementation of cloud solutions, tightened ICT policy, and additional manpower to bring Ugandan university libraries to a global rank and promote academic excellence.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Odong Patrick, Elisam Magara, PhD, Clement Lutaaya Nabutto, PhD
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