The Gondar University Library undertook a project
to automate the Library, starting with the Library of Gondar College
of Medical science. Outside expertise was found through the cooperation
of V.S.O (Volunteer service overseas ) which provides an experianced
librarian to help staff to work through all stages of automation.
selection of a program was a crucial step and the Gondar University
was able to Purchase a world class automation.
Selection of a program was a crucial step and the
Gondar University was able to Purchase a world class automation
system many thanks to the assistance of the the Canadian
Fund Rising through The Canadian Embassy (Shirley Lewis).
The automation program replaces the card catalog with
fully digital library Management system.Materials can easily be
located by looking for:
Keyword
Author
Title
Subject
Each Entry describes the book, it's location and how many copies
are available. As soon as every library users has a bar-coded
ID card, books can be RESERVED. LIBRARY CLUB Students on the campus support
the library by joining the Library Club. Currently there are over
50 members who are being trained in the use of the Automated system.
Library Club members also assist the library staff by outing books
away during periods of heavy use, and by training other students
in the use of the OPAC (On-line public Access Catalogue) A program,
" Typing Tutor" is used by the Library Club to increase their
Keyboard skills. On-Line Journals and Internet Research
Although the Internet is so heavily used that getting
access is a current problem, it will not be long before the Library
will be able to provide on-line access to over 7000 journals in
all fields of study from Economics and Tourism to Medicine and
Science. The library staff has had training in Internet research
skills, and can locate very current information that is some times
lacking in the book materials.
GCMS library is part of the Consortium of Ethiopian
Academic research Libraries (CEARL) and also has joined the AAU
(Association of African Universities) which sponsors EDT training
to increase our technical capacities in Internet Technology.
The library has done retrospective cataloguing of
over 40,000 books. New books will be provided on an on-going basis
to update the medical information, so that the Gondar University
stays current Campuses.
The Library now operates three outlets, one at each
campus.
The new University campus ("Maraki") will be the largest campus
in years to come, and at least two libraries will open on this
campus, but all of the libraries will be interconnected by an
Intranet network facility. Therefore when you want to know what
is in ANY library you can enquir through WEBOPAC, which will
keep all users, up to date on library holdings.
Library staff is learning how to cope with all this
new technology, and are undergoing extensive training. Academic
staff will soon be able to leave their queries with this well-trained
staff and come back to find the answers.