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The TIA’s Repository is intended to collect, preserve and disseminate electronic copies of research and scholarly works created at TIA. The Repository will serve as a gateway to disseminate similar learning resources created elsewhere. Publications stored in the Repository include conference papers, journal articles, theses and dissertations, working papers and research reports. TIA staff are requested to contribute their research outputs to the Institute repository. Kindly, contact the repository administrator/s for any enquiries at: admin@tia.ac.tz. To deposit your publication (s) in TIA repository, make sure you create an account by registering in the repository or by supplying your email address to admin@tia.ac.tz for the same.
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Recent Submissions
Contribution of Consortium of Tanzania University and Research Libraries in Supporting Teaching and Research in Universities
(University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal, 2024-02-07) Ntullo, Sayuni H,; Jaiswal, Babita
This study aimed to determine what the Consortium of Tanzania University and Research
Libraries (COTUL) has done to improve teaching and research by Tanzanian universities.
COTUL was founded in 2002 to link the then 76 member libraries electronically, thereby
improving resource sharing and the collective nature of the institutions. A mixed-methods
approach was employed to collect quantitative data through 154 distributed questionnaires
and qualitative insights through in-depth interviews. A remarkable response rate of 77.9
percent has thus been ensured, suggesting robust engagement with the study. While the
findings establish how COTUL has greatly enhanced scholarly access, it has had suboptimal
utilization rates. It is reported that only 41 percent of the respondents utilise the sources
provided to them every week. Barriers in training and marketing seem to be critical factors
impeding fuller adoption. These notwithstanding, the benefits of COTUL's efforts to train
library professionals and negotiate access to resources were well acknowledged to add more
value to improving Tanzania's academic landscape. The end was with the recommendation
that, if developed, their initiatives would better help in optimising resource utilisation towards
the quality of teaching and research in Tanzania universities. This research recommended the
need to have collaborative structures in library management, which call for proper sustained
funding and strategic outreach for maximum impact by the consortium.
Importance of Library Management System in Improving Information Access in Tanzanian Higher Learning Institutions
(International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 2025-10-11) Ntullo, Sayuni H,; Tawani, Hamad; Jaiswal, Babita
The Library Management Systems (LMS) are crucial in the promotion of efficiency, access, and delivery of
services in academic libraries, especially in the universities of Tanzania. With the digitalization of the education sector, the
utilization of competent LMS tools is a necessity due to the needs of students, faculty, and researchers during the process of
transformation. This paper discusses the importance of LMS in the university libraries in Tanzania regarding the
functionality of such systems to the process of cataloging, circulation, acquisition, user accesses, and use of digital resources.
The given research uses a sample of 120 respondents in different universities so as to examine how effective is the usage of
LMS, challenges related to their usage, and the perceived benefits of their usage. The results demonstrated that LMS can
enhance user satisfaction, automate information retrieval, complement an academic progression, and minimize the amount
of workload that has to be undertaken manually by the library personnel. It also scales up the idea of inter-library
cooperation and surplus supply of resources and resources, filling the breakage between the physical and digital libraries.
Though these prove to be beneficial, there are challenges that are faced including inept ICT infrastructure, limited librarian
technical expertise, and variable funding to complete LMS implementation and functions. The paper identifies the
persistence of problems with the lack of necessity and out datedness of LMS implementation, inefficient organization of
information and the delivery of services as the most frequent ones. These weaknesses are detrimental to academic purpose
of universities and generate inequality in access to information. The study highlights the importance of giving a high priority
to the development of LMS and overcoming the existing obstacles and provide equal access to information and subsequent
enhancement of the performance of libraries. It offers findings that policymakers, librarians, university management can
utilize in order to advance LMS systems, and create more sustainable open, and user-friendly academic libraries in
Tanzania.
Assessment of the effectiveness of consortium of Tanzania Universities and Libraries (COTUL) initiatives in academic libraries
(IP Indian Journal of Library Science and Information Technology, 2025-07-17) Ntullo, Sayuni H,; Jaiswal, Babita
This study assesses the effectiveness of the Consortium of Tanzania Universities and Libraries (COTUL) initiatives in enhancing services of academic libraries
in Tanzania universities. The research sought to evaluate the impact of COTUL's collaborative efforts on resource sharing, library management practices, and
overall user satisfaction within academic libraries. By using a mixed-methods approach specifically the explanatory sequential design using sample size of
120 respondents, the study first collected and analysed quantitative data, followed by qualitative data to provide a deeper understanding of the results. This
approach allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of COTUL's initiatives and their impact on academic libraries, the research identified that COTUL has made
significant contributions to improving resource sharing and access to electronic resources among member Institutions. However, it also highlighted several
challenges, including inadequate funding, insufficient infrastructure, and varying levels of participation from different universities. Despite these hurdles, the
study concluded that COTUL's initiatives have made a substantial positive impact on library services across Tanzania. The findings suggest the need for greater
coordination, improved funding, and better strategic planning to further enhance the effectiveness of the consortium in supporting academic libraries.
Socio-economic Determinants for Maize Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption of Purdue Improved Crop Storage in Mbozi District, Tanzania
(TIA, 2019-12-31) Akyoo, Elimeleck P.; Sitima, Florence W.
Post-harvest handling technologies like Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags are so effective in reducing post-harvest losses and improve food security. Despite the potential of PICS bags in reducing post-harvest losses, the adoption of PICS bags is still low and a good fraction of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) farmers continue to practice their traditional methods. The current study aimed at exploring socio-economic determinants of maize smallholder farmers’ adoption of PICS bags in Mbozi District. The data on which the paper is based were collected from four villages of Mbozi District using a mixed research approach. A cross-sectional research design was adopted whereby data were collected at once. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire with 120 respondents who were selected using simple random sampling. Qualitative data were collected using Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) and Key Informants Interviews (KIIs) and analysed using content analysis. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS), whereby descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, standard deviation, and percentages were determined. In addition, a binary logistic regression model was used to determine association of some key socio-economic factors and adoption of Purdue Crop Storage (PICS) bags., The results from the logisticregression show that, gender of the household head, education of the household head, maize farming experience of the household head, access of the household to credit, and access of the household head to training on PICS were found to be important predictors of household adoption of PICS (p < 0.05). Therefore, the paper recommends that, the Local Government and other stakeholders should train smallholder farmers on PICS and creates awareness in order to help to increase understanding of PICS bags among more maize farmers. There is a need for more advocacy initiatives by stakeholders on subsidizing the costs of PICS bags in order to improve the adoption of PICS bags by farmers.
Impact of Consortium for Enhancing Information Literacy Skills of University Library Professionals with Special Reference to COTUL
(Studies on Bibliometrics, Scientometrics and Webometrics, 2025-05-20) Ntullo, Sayuni H,; Jaiswal, Babita
This study investigates the impact of training programs offered by the Consortium of Tanzania Universities and Libraries (COTUL) on enhancing librarians’ information literacy skills. The objectives of the study include assessing the effectiveness of these programs, examining the challenges faced by librarians, and identifying areas for improvement to ensure optimal outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining questionnaires and interviews with 150 librarians from various academic Institutions across Tanzania. The findings reveal that Consortium training programs have significantly improved librarians’ technical and important literacy skills, contributing to better resource utilization and service delivery in libraries. However, the study also identifies persistent challenges, including limited funding, inadequate technological infrastructure, and a lack of consistent professional development opportunities. To address these issues, the study recommends enhanced financial support, improved access to modern technologies, and the establishment of a robust framework for continuous professional training. These interventions could bolster the overall efficacy of Consortium initiatives, ensuring that librarians are better equipped to meet the evolving demands of information management and literacy in academic settings.