Importance of Library Management System in Improving Information Access in Tanzanian Higher Learning Institutions


Authors : Sayuni Harun Ntullo; Hamad Tawani; Babita Jaiswal

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 10 - October


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2beckyx7

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25oct221

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Abstract : The Library Management Systems (LMS) are crucial in the promotion of efficiency, access, and delivery of services in academic libraries, especially in the universities of Tanzania. With the digitalization of the education sector, the utilization of competent LMS tools is a necessity due to the needs of students, faculty, and researchers during the process of transformation. This paper discusses the importance of LMS in the university libraries in Tanzania regarding the functionality of such systems to the process of cataloging, circulation, acquisition, user accesses, and use of digital resources. The given research uses a sample of 120 respondents in different universities so as to examine how effective is the usage of LMS, challenges related to their usage, and the perceived benefits of their usage. The results demonstrated that LMS can enhance user satisfaction, automate information retrieval, complement an academic progression, and minimize the amount of workload that has to be undertaken manually by the library personnel. It also scales up the idea of inter-library cooperation and surplus supply of resources and resources, filling the breakage between the physical and digital libraries. Though these prove to be beneficial, there are challenges that are faced including inept ICT infrastructure, limited librarian technical expertise, and variable funding to complete LMS implementation and functions. The paper identifies the persistence of problems with the lack of necessity and out datedness of LMS implementation, inefficient organization of information and the delivery of services as the most frequent ones. These weaknesses are detrimental to academic purpose of universities and generate inequality in access to information. The study highlights the importance of giving a high priority to the development of LMS and overcoming the existing obstacles and provide equal access to information and subsequent enhancement of the performance of libraries. It offers findings that policymakers, librarians, university management can utilize in order to advance LMS systems, and create more sustainable open, and user-friendly academic libraries in Tanzania.

Keywords : Library Management System, University Libraries, Information Technology, Digital Resources.

References :

  1. Aina, L. O. (2020). Information and knowledge management in academic libraries. Ibadan: Heinemann.
  2. Kumar, P., & Singh, S. (2019). Role of Integrated Library Management Systems in modern libraries. International Journal of Library Science, 8(2), 45-52.
  3. Msuya, J. (2020). The role of academic libraries in higher education in Tanzania. University of Dar es Salaam Press.
  4. Mcharazo, A. A., & Olden, A. (2021). Managing Information Services in Africa: The Challenge of Change. Routledge.
  5. Mgobozi, T., Mtega, W. P., & Komba, M. (2023). The role of library technologies in promoting access to knowledge in East African universities. International Journal of Library and Information Science, 15(2), 45–58.
  6. Mtega, W. P., & Dulle, F. W. (2020). The usage of integrated library management systems in Tanzanian academic libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2020(4561).
  7. Mwantimwa, K. (2021). ICT and academic libraries in Tanzania: trends, challenges, and opportunities. Library Hi Tech News, 38(5), 9-14.
  8. Ngirwa, S., & Manda, P. A. (2022). Digital transformation and library service delivery in Tanzanian universities. International Journal of Library and Information Science Studies, 10(1), 12–26.
  9. Raju, R., & Adams, M. (2018). Capacity building and the digital transformation of academic libraries in Africa. IFLA Journal, 44(4), 271–280.
  10. Rwegoshora, H., & Komba, M. (2021). Adoption of Integrated Library Systems in Tanzanian academic libraries: A case of selected universities. Tanzania Library Journal, 37(2),34–45.
  11. UNESCO. (2022). Guidelines for ICT development in African education institutions. Paris: UNESCO Publishing.

The Library Management Systems (LMS) are crucial in the promotion of efficiency, access, and delivery of services in academic libraries, especially in the universities of Tanzania. With the digitalization of the education sector, the utilization of competent LMS tools is a necessity due to the needs of students, faculty, and researchers during the process of transformation. This paper discusses the importance of LMS in the university libraries in Tanzania regarding the functionality of such systems to the process of cataloging, circulation, acquisition, user accesses, and use of digital resources. The given research uses a sample of 120 respondents in different universities so as to examine how effective is the usage of LMS, challenges related to their usage, and the perceived benefits of their usage. The results demonstrated that LMS can enhance user satisfaction, automate information retrieval, complement an academic progression, and minimize the amount of workload that has to be undertaken manually by the library personnel. It also scales up the idea of inter-library cooperation and surplus supply of resources and resources, filling the breakage between the physical and digital libraries. Though these prove to be beneficial, there are challenges that are faced including inept ICT infrastructure, limited librarian technical expertise, and variable funding to complete LMS implementation and functions. The paper identifies the persistence of problems with the lack of necessity and out datedness of LMS implementation, inefficient organization of information and the delivery of services as the most frequent ones. These weaknesses are detrimental to academic purpose of universities and generate inequality in access to information. The study highlights the importance of giving a high priority to the development of LMS and overcoming the existing obstacles and provide equal access to information and subsequent enhancement of the performance of libraries. It offers findings that policymakers, librarians, university management can utilize in order to advance LMS systems, and create more sustainable open, and user-friendly academic libraries in Tanzania.

Keywords : Library Management System, University Libraries, Information Technology, Digital Resources.

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Paper Submission Last Date
31 - December - 2025

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