An investigation of the role of information and communication technology in enhancing innovation in academic libraries:a case of the University of Dar es Salaam library

This study investigated the role of Information and Communication Technology in enhancing innovation at the University of Dar es Salaam Library, Dar es Salaam Region. Specific objectives of the study were; to identify Information and Communication Technology facilities available at the University of Dar es Salaam Library, to investigate the extent to which the use of Information and Communication Technology has enhanced changes in organizational structure at the University of Dar es Salaam Library, to examine how Information and Communication Technology has enhanced innovation in information searching processes at the University of Dar es Salaam Library, and finally to identify factors that influence effective utilization of Information and Communication Technology in enhancing innovation at the University of Dar es Salaam Library. The research design employed was mixed methods. The sample size for the study was fifty (50) which included seven Head of Sections, ten academic staff, thirty administrative staff, two ICT staff, and one Library director. The findings revealed that most of respondents had moderate and adequate ICT skills. The study also showed that the factors affecting the use of ICT in enhancing innovation at the University of Dar es Salaam Library were frequent power failures, inadequate ICT facilities, inadequate training, rapid changes in technology, inadequate ICT experts, lack of technical assistance, overdependence on donors support, centralized control of ICT facilities, and language difficulties. Innovation process is not static, which implies that it changes with time so as to cope with new needs, new technology and new developments arising in a given field. As result, regular assessments on the way ICTs are enhancing innovation are crucial in order to ensure library’s users are able to utilize ICTs for making searching processes easier, cutting down costs and searching anywhere at any time. The study recommends improvement of the availability of ICT facilities, staff development and training, reliable power supply, sharing of resources through networking and establishment of joint cooperation with other institutions which deal with ICT activities and expansion of ICT services.