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Universities asked to allow
public to access library info on line
Accra, March 26, Ghanadot/GNA - Professor
Christine Kissiedu, Former Head of Library and Information
Services Department of the University of Ghana on Thursday asked
the country's universities and tertiary institutions to
strengthen their capacity to enhance public access to online
information in their libraries.
"The use of computer technology in libraries through networking,
purchase and installation of software would enable libraries to
become a service oriented information provider and not just
custodian of books" Professor Kissiedu was speaking at the
launch of the University of Ghana Online Catalogue System (UGCat),
an Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) developed by the Balme
Library for the automation of the University of Ghana library
system.
It was on the theme" Online Info at your door".
UGCat has features such as multiple means for searching the
catalogue, ability to limit search to a specific library,
provision of links to e-resources and off-campus access to
e-resources and can be accessed on the World Wide Web at
library.ug.edu.gh.
She said the use of Information Technology (IT) was vital for
developing the culture of sharing information in the modern age
of technological advancement.
"It has become an uphill task for universities to automate their
library operations but it is a worthwhile venture which is
achievable through determination and hard work", she said.
Professor Kissiedu appealed to the university authorities to
grant an independent status to the Balme Library and upgrade it
to a faculty.
She commended the university administration for the support in
making the OPAC dream a reality.
Professor Clifford Nii Boye Tagoe, Vice Chancellor of the
University assured that the library and its satellite units
would be provided with the needed assistance to promote
efficiency in access to information.
He expressed his gratitude to Carnegie College of New York for
funding the project at a cost of 2.2 million dollars.
Professor Harry Akussah, Head of Information Service Department
of the University urged OPAC to work towards the linkage of more
satellite libraries in its operations.
Professor Akussah called for a rigid monitoring, maintenance and
sustenance of the OPAC system.
"You must continuously improve the response to user behaviour
and redesign the interface to be able to hold on to users," he
said.
Professor Anaba Anakankyela Alemna, the University Librarian
said although the library initiated moves to automate its system
in 1995, financial constraints hindered its progress until 2003
when the automation became successful.
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