Planning and policy issues in academic libraries in Tanzania

This paper highlights factors that influence planning in academic libraries. It highlights institutional politics, inadequate planning skills and financial constraints as major challenges. Recent global developments have necessitated strategic planning. Strategic planning by its nature requires the involvement of stakeholders. Involvement of stakeholders provides opportunities for libraries to have constant contact with stakeholders for forming required alliances for mutual benefits. The paper discusses the processes involved in drawing up a Five Year Rolling Strategic Plan at the University of Dar es Salaam and highlights the achievements of the Institutional Transformation Programme at both the University of Dar es Salaam level and the Library. It concludes by recommending the need for taking a more holistic approach in dealing with partnership issues.