Investigating The Status Of Open Source Integrated Library Management System For Effective Library Services In Jimma And Mekelle Universities, Ethiopia

Abstract

Open source integrated library system emerged as an alternative model of software development. It has revolutionized the development of integrated library management software and offers a number of attractions for libraries, especially for developing countries. The use of open source has grown rapidly and becomes a trend because of its low cost, flexibility, availability of source code and free redistribution. Open Source allows that library to participate directly in the development of its systems and services in a manner consistent with the value of librarianship. Due to the advantages of open source, small and medium size libraries are moving to open source library management systems. The main aim of this study was to investigate the implementation of open sources integrated library management system for effective library services. The methodology employed to conduct this study was survey research method and the respondents’ drawn from Jimma and Mekelle universities, the study population for this study was (13,550) which comprised of academic staff, library staff and students. Convenience sampling method was used to select students and academic staff, purposive sampling method was used to select study areas and sample of library staff. Data for the study was collected through questionnaire, face-to-face interview and observation. The result of the study shows that 36% of respondents indicated that ABCD integrated library system has a complete feature to manage overall integrated library services. 67% of respondents indicated that their library system was partially automated and 26.5% respondents said that the automation was at initial stage. Only OPAC and cataloging parts of ABCD integrated library system are 100% (hundred percent) automated, circulation partial automated, acquisition and serial control not yet functionally automated. The research indecates that both universiety libraries were faced different factors influnce on full implemention of ABCD library system these are low participation of ICT center, lack of feasibility study, lack of management support, inadequate funding and lack of skilled digital librarian