Capacity Building Initiatives for Universities Library Professionals: A Case Study of Consortium of Tanzania University and Research Libraries (COTUL)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Consortium of Tanzania University and Research Libraries (COTUL) is a coordinated network of academic libraries in Tanzania which aims to offer services in a coordinated manner, access to online resources, and professional trainings for librarians to enhance services in the digital era. This research paper examined how the capacity building programs by COTUL influenced the professional skills, library services and relevance of the librarians in academic institutions. It also explored issues that confront the continuous professional development of academic librarians, how they have been tackled, and the significance of such programs for helping academic librarians fulfill their changing roles in a rapidly changing digital environment. Data was collected through a mixed method comprising of both surveys and interviews from 10 University libraries in Tanzania with a total of 120 library staff. The results showed that the training and capacity building programmes of COTUL helped the librarians to perform their duties better, especially in providing customers with services and supporting academic and research activities. Nevertheless, university libraries still encounter challenges to achieve constant professional growth and meet all demands of the digital transformation. The study findings indicate that COTUL has a significant role to play in enhancing competencies of librarians and the academic library services in Tanzania. However, there are still some obstacles to the effectiveness of continuous professional development (CPD) in the digital era. The authors suggest increased cooperation amongst the member institutions to overcome the challenges, build capacity, develop library services and boost student academic achievement.
DOI: 10.55041/ijsrem68671
Author: Dr. Sayuni Harun Ntullo
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7225115071