The role of academic libraries in enhancing information literacy skills for undergraduates: a case study of DUCE.

The study was conducted to investigate the role of the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) Library in enhancing Information Literacy (IL) skills among undergraduate students. The study adopted Bloom’s Taxonomy Model of Cognitive Domain which guided the collection of data. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed in this study. Purposive and convenience sampling technique were used to select a total of 67 respondents who took part in the study. Primary data for this study was collected through survey method using self-administered questionnaires supplemented by face-to-face interviews and non-participant observation. Both descriptive and quantitative techniques were employed in data analysis. The findings of the study reveal that DUCE students still faced difficulties in finding, critically evaluating and using information for their academic endeavour, despite there being some evidence of the institution’s library in providing IL services. The study identified Lack of adequate resources, inadequate time, and lack of IL policy as major constraints underpinnings IL effectiveness at DUCE. The study concluded that DUCE has yet adequately recognise IL as an important learning tool. Thus, the study recommends that DUCE Library should provide training and appropriate information sources, introduce policies to combat plagiarism, allocate adequate time and resources to enhance IL programmes, advise and convince the university management to integrate IL programmes into the university curriculum, and raise students’ awareness on resources and services offered.