Problems and Prospects of Automating Public Libraries: A study of the Accra Central Library

Abstract

The explosion in the quantity of information in this era of Information Technology calls calls for new response in public library operations. Public libraries as information centres. must automate their operations in order to meet the challenges of today's information provision. This study was conducted to investigate the prospects of automating public libraries. the problems that hinder automating public libraries with particular reference to the' Accra Central Library. The methodology adopted for the collection of data was the cross-sectional survey. The Results of the study indicate that, among the problems hindering the automation of the Accra Central Library are lack of adequate funds from the central government to mechanize its library operations, attitude of the library staff for a change and shortage of skilled personnel to operate computer systems. The study revealed that prompt and efficient provision of information is among the prospects of library automation. Based on these conclusions, recommendations were made to the central government and to public library administrators on procedures to guide automating public libraries in view of the current information age in which we find ourselves.