Information technology applications in East Africa government‐owned university libraries

The information environment of a given society currently revolves around the ability to use and manipulate information technologies. This paper reviews the trend of information technology (IT) applications in East Africa government‐owned university libraries for the ten years 1987‐1997. By 1997, East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) had only eight government‐owned university libraries. The trend of IT applications in those libraries was surveyed using a questionnaire and review of available literature. It was revealed that the extent of IT applications in those libraries from 1987‐1997 was very limited. By 1997, only one government‐owned university library in East Africa had automated its library catalogue and books circulation control. Financial resources and lack of trained manpower in IT remained the most critical obstacles in the application of information technology in East Africa government‐owned university libraries.