Staying safe while teaching and learning online in Library and Information Science training schools in Uganda: The case of Makerere University

Abstract Purpose: This purpose of the paper was to determine the perceived safety Ugandan LIS students and academics in electronic learning spaces and recommend strategies to promote safety for LIS scholars in online spaces. Methodology: An online questionnaire with structured questions was sent out to undergraduate and graduate LIS students at Makerere University attracting over ninety (91) responses. Two (2) academic staff members were interviewed to obtain staff perspectives. Secondary data were collected from documents that have been drafted to guide online learning in Makerere University and Uganda. Findings: Findings of the study indicated that LIS academics in at Makerere University and students were able to quickly adopt e-learning even before mandatory shift caused by COVID-19. This was partly because of early university effort to encourage blended learning. Whereas the University had adopted its own e-learning platform and official zoom licenses to all LIS academic staff other electronic tools and online resources to enhance their teaching experiences. academic staff were given lee way to However, there was no evidence of institutional framework to encourage safety for both staff and students on any of the learning platforms. Practical implications: The implications of the results are that (1) Ugandan LIS academics are well fairly well prepared to engage in continuous pedagogy even in the dace of epidemics that force closure of physical classes. (2) Universities that adopt e-learning should include safety for both staff and students in when designing and running of online learning spaces. (3) LIS departments should design subject own tools for orienting staff and students when any new e-learning tool is adopted

STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT OF THE INTEGRATED LIBRARY SYSTEM FOR LATE ADOPTERS: THE CASE OF AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Abstract Introduction: Generally, African University libraries can be said to be among the late adopters of ILS technologies in their service range. As of 2022, Makerere University Library is in the initial stages of migrating from Virtua ILS to Koha ILS. Yet adopting ILS is an expensive and time consuming endeavour. Therefore, there is a need for strategic “useful” deployment of ILS in any academic library. Objective: This paper attempted to assess the strategic alignment of the Integrated Library Systems (ILS) in Makerere University Library to achieve strategic fit within the corporate environment of the University and achieve the institutional strategy. Methodology: The was conducted using a qualitative research paradigm. In adopting the qualitative research paradigm, two approaches of this study were used; that is literature survey and case study design. Data was collected using the interview method and the observation method. Findings and conclusion: There are noticeable mixed fortunes in Makerere University Library when it comes to the establishment of ILS. Almost all the technologies required and that have so far been implemented are imported and are quite expensive. Despite this, evidence exists that there is active investment in the University Library as it marches towards the attainment of its strategy. Perhaps ILS in the Makerere University Library and the University as a whole can only be described as a work in progress

Trends in legislations affecting library and information practice in Uganda

Introduction: legislation and ethics as one of the top five themes that preoccupied LIS scholars and practitioners in the first decade of the 21st century. This is true for Library and Information Science and its related disciplines such as Records, information and archives, archeology and museum study. Objective: This paper attempts to discuss the various trends in legislations relating to the Library and Information Science discipline and profession. Methodology: In this research, reviewing literature was used to define the main concepts of this research. Findings: There is a noticeable attribute that more legislations are likely to be drafted and passed. Indeed, there are noticeable trends in the nature of legislation relating to LIS which include the shift from a more right based form of legislations to legislations concerned with social order; a shift towards embracing changing technologies with in the legislations; thirdly, there is a shift towards the internationalisation; a shift towards open access to LIS material from closed access; the adoption of the Western values of LIS values; and adoption of LIS perspectives in other legislations Conclusion: Professionals cannot afford the comfort of waiting for new developments to be handed down to them but rather equip themselves with competences to; locate and evaluate primary and secondary material, understanding its value as a professional decision-making resource; apply existing legal tenets to various library environments and develop practical compliance; and express professional responsibility, views concerning the legal problems in the library and information sciences in which one is situated

Records disposal governance at lower levels of governments in Uganda: The case of Arua District Local government

The study aimed at examining the methods used in disposing off records and finding out the challenges hindering proper disposal of records and suggest recommendations to improve records disposal in Arua District Local Government. The study adopted a non-experimental, qualitative, explanatory-descriptive approach that was contextual. Data was collected by means of interviewing and observation. It was noted whereas, it is true that there are national laws regarding records management, these seem to guide the process of disposal in passing, are too old to deal with current realities or are not suited to the needs of the lower levels of local governance realities and interconnections. To improve records disposal in Arua District Local Government, the study proposed a design of a records disposition policy rather than depending on central government policies that may not consider the unique situation in the district

Trends in legislations affecting library and information practice in Uganda

Introduction: legislation and ethics as one of the top five themes that preoccupied LIS scholars and practitioners in the first decade of the 21st century. This is true for Library and Information Science and its related disciplines such as Records, information and archives, archeology and museum study. Objective: This paper attempts to discuss the various trends in legislations relating to the Library and Information Science discipline and profession. Methodology: In this research, reviewing literature was used to define the main concepts of this research. Findings: There is a noticeable attribute that more legislations are likely to be drafted and passed. Indeed, there are noticeable trends in the nature of legislation relating to LIS which include the shift from a more right based form of legislations to legislations concerned with social order; a shift towards embracing changing technologies with in the legislations; thirdly, there is a shift towards the internationalisation; a shift towards open access to LIS material from closed access; the adoption of the Western values of LIS values; and adoption of LIS perspectives in other legislations Conclusion: Professionals cannot afford the comfort of waiting for new developments to be handed down to them but rather equip themselves with competences to; locate and evaluate primary and secondary material, understanding its value as a professional decision-making resource; apply existing legal tenets to various library environments and develop practical compliance; and express professional responsibility, views concerning the legal problems in the library and information sciences in which one is situated

WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGIES APPLICATION IN TEACHING AND LEARNING BY MAKERERE UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC STAFF

The adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has become a general trend in virtually all professions including the academia. Professionals in the academia are adopting ICTs with a view of offering the services that they have traditionally provided without these technologies so as to attain their strategic academic objectives. Since 2004, the Makerere University has taken up ICTs as a strategic enabler to fulfill the Makerere University’s strategic objectives (Makerere University, 2014). One of the key features of this movement was the adoption of Internet in academic and administrative work of the University. It should be noted that Internet has evolved since then to the advent of Web 2.0 and social software. This paper therefore assesses the adoption of Web 2.0 and social software in the teaching and learning in Makerere University. It findings give the overall adoption picture of web 2.0 technologies in teaching and learning in Makerere University. It notes minimal utilization of web 2.0 technologies in teaching and learning hence requiring strong institutional intervention both at operational and policy levels