As an Assistant Librarian, I assist in the management and running of all library services during the day shift. My specific responsibilities include providing front-line library and information services, supporting library users in reference services, developing and maintaining LibGuides with relevant links to information sources, retrieving information resources in print and electronic formats, and facilitating access to bibliographic and full-text databases. Other tasks involve receiving, processing, and cataloguing books and periodicals, maintaining and updating bibliographic details in the library management system, updating other library databases including the digital repository, updating and implementing library policy and procedures, shelving books, maintaining shelf reading for easy resource location, supporting reader services by registering library users and maintaining their records and user statistics, charging and discharging library resources, monitoring dues and notification processes, and facilitating the acquisition of relevant government publications and publications from stakeholders such as the UN and World Bank. Additionally, handling cash-related charges and fines and collating this with the finance office is also part of the responsibilities.
I also volunteer with the Consortium of Uganda University Libraries CUUL and the Uganda Library and Information (ULIA) as the Treasurer, so I handle all financial matters for these two bodies as part of my work.
I was introduced to the topic of Open access in 2016, I attended a number of workshops whose main training was on imparting knowledge in this field. The workshops were mainly run by INASP with sponsorship from Firefox and other like-minded organisations. Over time this phenomenon grew into the bigger umbrella body known as open science initially with 3 branches, Open Science, Open-source and Open Data movements. I have used open-source software since 2011, with Koha and Dspace as the major platforms. In Uganda as part of the EIFL coordinating body, I lead the Open Access part of EIFL in the country.
f) Write a short paragraph describing your expectations of the workshop.
I am hopeful of learning new and latest trends in the open science movement, getting practical skilling in the same and being able to transfer this new knowledge to colleagues in the fraternity. I expect a fun-packed one-week intensive training as I learn and also train colleagues on everything open science.