Beyond the stacks: Reimagining collection development at the Uganda institute of information and communication technology library to champion SDG 16

Abstract

The study sought to examine the current collection development practices in Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) Library. Specifically, the study investigated the current collection development practices, the factors influencing these practices and the challenges encountered. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, followed by a case study design with in-depth interviews and document analysis as data collection methods. The findings indicated an array of practices such digitisation, preservation, with multifaceted challenges such as absence of a library committee, low budget, fluctuating collection prices, absence of diverse collections. Strategies to enhance collection development practices included seeking financial support, implementation of library collection committees, use of digital resources. The findings shed light on the current state of UICT library equivalent to other academic libraries in the same region. Therefore, this study contributes valuable insights to the mushrooming challenges encountered at the library as well informing future efforts to optimise collection development in academic libraries.