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This paper in general shares the experience, benefits and challenges learnt through
the use of RMS at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). Through the initiative and
support from iAGRI (Innovative Agricultural Research Initiative), the Sokoine National
Agricultural Library (SNAL) has managed to subscribe to Libhub/Kiox to manage
e-resources at the university. The introduction and use of Libhub/Kiox as an information
gateway helps researchers, students, staff and others in accessing e-resources from SNAL
more easily and effectively. This software opened a window of success in information
dissemination and use to both information professionals and users at SUA. These
include issues of cooperative collection development, dissemination, partnership and
collaborations, financial, technical skill and information literacy programme. Since its
introduction in the mid 2014, the use of e-resources has been simplified, statistics has
been available, and tracking of use of e-resources has been possible. SNAL has been also
facing some challenges including electricity shortfalls; internet problems; lack of enough
funds especially for marketing and publicity; and reluctance of students and staff to
attend information literacy programme. The paper recommends that academic libraries
should subscribe to RMS for their institutions to increase the usage of e-resources; the
process which can be also done jointly as it is done on the subscription of e-resources. |
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