TRAINING AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

New technologies such as blogs, wikis, iPods & podcasting, MP3 files, Google tools, federated search tools, Flickr, YouTube etc must be embraced and supported with training and learning opportunities for both staff and students.

At the beginning of each academic year, the University library conducts a user education session per programme of study aimed at ensuring all new students are given a clear and helpful introduction to the Library services appropriate to their needs. All first year students are expected to register with the Library at the end of the training session so as to access library facilities and services. The programme is designed to ensure that all members of the University community are offered effective support and guidance in identifying and using appropriate information resources in support of research, teaching and study.

The Library subscribes to online databases which include electronic journals and e-books. Training of Library Users is undertaken to enable Users access these resources. The Library in partnership with the School of Graduate studies conducts training for Graduate students and researchers at Makerere University. During such trainings participants are introduced to Library services. Last year the component of Google docs. Was introduced in the Library training programme. Participants find Google docs. very useful because most of them are involved in collaborative research.

LATINA class of 2010@ Oslo University College

Oslo University College has over the last three years provided training opportunities to people who could afford to travel to Norway. Four Staff members of Makerere University Library attended LATINA in 2009 and 2010. This caused a drastic change in the way these members performed their duties. The collaborating institutions; University of Bergen, Oslo University College and Makerere University Library decided to bring LATINA to Africa in order to bridge the skills gap among Librarians. LATINA will be conducted right here at Makerere University Library. This is a great opportunity which librarians and teachers in Africa particularly in Uganda must not miss.

 

EXPECTATIONS

 

At the end of the course participants are expected to:

• Have attained skills in digital technologies.
• Contribute new ideas to their institutions.
• Design and implement projects

 

By Uganda Production Team;

Agnes, Fred, Irene, Monica & Philliam.

FACE BOOK VS BLOGS

There is a hot debate going on whether the corporate world should maintain blogs or market their products on Face book or both? It is important to know the type of service the company has to offer and knowing how best to market this product.

What is blog?

A blog is a type of website or part of a website. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, Web pages, and other media related to its topic.

Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.

Makerere University Library Staff have a blog maintained by Irene and Agnes. The only challenge is that staff rarely visit the blog and this demoralises the few who post on the blog. Agnes attended LATINA in 2009 and gained many skills thanks to sponsorship from University of Bergen and Oslo University College. When Agnes returned, she conducted a training of trainers (T.O.T) who in turn trained all the professional Library staff in new technologies including blogging.

The training was timely because it is the same year that Makerere University designed and implemented institutional blogs. During the training Irene introduced staff to blogging and all members of staff created personal blogs. They were encouraged to keep blogging but few if any actually blog. Surprisingly, these staff members visit and update their Face Book pages daily. So one wonders why is it easy for members of staff to visit Face Book than the Library blog?

Judging from the comments/feedback from visitors to our Library blog, they find it a useful tool for finding information in regard to our services. The Library blog speaks volumes of information about our services.  There are advantages associated with corporate blogs:

• A blog is the best low-cost, interactive online marketing tool that you both own and control.
• Blogs are interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and even message each other via widgets on the blogs and it is this interactivity that distinguishes them from other static websites. A post once a week engages your customers and thus become successful in selling more products.
• Content can be categorized at your blog, but not on a Face Book Page. This provides people with another easy option to find the information they are looking for.
• Blog Posts Are More Easily Shared Than Face Book Updates.

If given two options; blogging and face booking, what is your preference and why?

by

Agnes, Fred, Irene and Monica

 

Trying out the connection with 3G

Last planning meeting (jan 25th) we had connection by using Skype from Oslo to call directly to mobile phones in Uganda, and this worked quite well. But being able to establish a stable video contact could still be very useful for both teams. Therefore our next step is to try out Skype with video over the mobile network (3G). Fredrick is going to buy a 3G modem, and we will hopefully try this connection tomorrow (friday). I will come back with the results after our testing.

Aslak

Truth in action

In project work two things are essential: effective communication and a good accounting system.

I learned that when I worked in Tanzania many years ago. Both have to do with information – or even with truth, to use a bigger word. The most precise concept is probably truth-in-action.

Project work requires coordinated action – which is impossible without frank and frequent communication. Accounts reveal the stock and flow of resources. Without workable – which means true – accounts, meaningful coordination of resources is impossible.

Getting ready for LATINA, 2012

The main LATINA course lasts two weeks and will take place from June 18-29th June 2012.

The week before will also be busy. We plan to do:

• a joint planning and training workhop for the full production team: five from Kampala and four from Oslo
• a one day course on Statistics for Advocacy, under IFLA’s Building Strong Library Associations program to be conducted on 2nd July, 2012
• a one day orientation course about LATINA – including hands-on sessions – aimed at (busy) library directors

Note that these plans are not final and may be revised by the Board.