Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
Summer 8-24-2017
Abstract
This study aimed at identifying the information needs, information resources, information assets, examining the information flow and information policies. The descriptive survey design was adopted. Purposive sampling technique was used. Triangulation method was used for data collection which comprises observation, document analysis, and questionnaire.
The analysis identified the School has 34 information resource entities, 5 information services, and 4 information systems. It was revealed that majority in the School, AOCOED did need information for their teaching, research and administrative purposes. The School depends on the College mission and vision statements which led to gaps and inconsistencies in meeting its objectives. The analysis revealed that the manual system of record keeping is still predominant. Information flows vertically and horizontal and this leads to delay or total prevention of access to information. The School does not have departmental libraries and both the staff and students depend only on one library (main library) available in the School .Other facilities such as Internet facility, IT infrastructures as well as regular power supply were not available in the School. It was also observed to have no concrete information policy that could serve as guidelines to good information management and free flow of information within the School.
It is therefore recommended that a formal document should be developed which will state clearly the School Objectives and Information policy/guidelines. Recruitment of IT staff and staff training on information management should also be done. Information technology equipment should be procured for the School and there should be provision of internet facilities, computerized libraries for the School and the departments. Database management software should be provided to help in database management while record retention schedule should be drawn for the School.