As an Assistant Librarian at Uganda Management Institution, I am dedicated to selecting, organizing, and disseminating information to support research, education, and personal enrichment. My responsibilities extend beyond the core library routines; I actively engage with patrons to understand their needs, providing assistance in locating resources, conducting research, and developing information literacy skills, supervision of Library Assistants. I strive to create welcoming environment where individuals from all backgrounds feel empowered to explore and expand their knowledge. Additionally, I am committed to staying abreast of emerging technologies and trends in library science, ensuring that our institution remains at the forefront of information access and innovation. Through collaboration with students, and staff, I contribute to the academic success and intellectual growth of our community, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and discovery.
As an Information professional, I am familiar in the principles of open access, open science, and open scholarship. I understand the importance of ensuring equitable access to scholarly information and promoting transparency in research practices. I actively support initiatives that facilitate the free and unrestricted dissemination of knowledge, including advocating for the use of open access journals and repositories. However, I look forward to enhancing my expertise in areas like DataCite and open scholarship. Attending a training workshop for these disciplines is crucial for staying updated on the latest practices and technologies. With a focus on DataCite, I aim to learn more about effectively managing research data and ensuring its accessibility. Additionally, delving into open scholarship will enable me to better support initiatives promoting transparent and inclusive research practices. By participating in this workshop, I'm not only investing in my professional development but also enhancing my ability to serve our institution and its community with cutting-edge knowledge and skills.
In participating in the training for DataCite and Open Scholarship for Uganda, I expect the following:
- I would expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of DataCite principles and practices, including how to effectively manage research data, assign persistent identifiers, and ensure data accessibility and reusability, as well as learning about open scholarship concepts. Further still, I expect to acquire practical skills applicable to my role in the library. Given the workshop's focus on Uganda, the I expect content tailored to the local context, including discussions on challenges and opportunities specific to the Ugandan academic and research landscape.
- Most importantly, I look forward to networking with colleagues from other institutions, as well as experts and practitioners in the field of Library and Information Science from whom I would exploit opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and establishing professional connections that could benefit my work beyond the workshop. Also, I expect to gain insights and strategies to enhance library services, support departments, schools and students in their research endeavours, and contribute to advancing the institution's commitment to academic excellence and knowledge dissemination.