Assessment of the effectiveness of consortium of Tanzania universities and libraries (COTUL) initiatives in academic libraries

• Author Details:   
• Sayuni Harun Ntullo
• Babita Jaiswal ^*

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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.

Keywords: COTUL, Resource Sharing, Library Management