Implementation Of An Integrated Library Management System In Community Libraries: A Case Study Of Windhoek Public Library

Abstract

Library automation plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of modern-day public libraries. The purpose of this study “Implementation of an Integrated Library Management System (ILMS) in Community Libraries: A Case Study of Windhoek Public Library” was to establish the reasons that led to the automation of the library and the selection of a proprietary system. The objectives of the study were to: establish reasons that led to library automation; determine why a proprietary system was chosen; establish steps followed during the implementation of Symphony; establish the enablers and barriers in Symphony implementation; and recommend how some of the challenges identified could have been avoided and how they could be solved.

This case study, within an interpretivist paradigm, employed qualitative data collection methods of interviews and document search. The population was community libraries in Namibia that implemented Symphony and the units of analysis comprised of librarians from Windhoek Public Library, Namibia Library and Archives Services (NLAS) management, Millennium Challenge Account- Namibia (MCA-N) and International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX). Windhoek Public Library was randomly selected by applying the lottery sampling technique while the interview participants and documents were purposively selected. The qualitative data were analyzed manually using content analysis technique. The study revealed that the major reason leading to library automation was to modernize information services by adopting dynamic technological trends to meet the diverse information needs of library patrons. A proprietary system was chosen as it met all the requirements and specifications provided by NLAS. The study established that not all staff members were involved in all the phases of implementation.

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The study recommends NLAS to set up a participative structure in order enable all levels of staff to engage in the implementation process. For ILMS implementation to be successful, the library staff and management need to make sure all the four phases in the Information Technology Implementation Process model are followed. There is a need for further research on post-implementation of Symphony in a community library in Namibia to get a clearer picture of the success of Symphony as an ILMS.