Library User Stories is a storytelling initiative created to highlight the real experiences of students and other members of the Busitema University community as they use the library. The project gives a voice to our users by allowing them to share how the library supports their learning, research, and personal growth.
Through short video interviews, participants speak openly about:
- How often they use the library and for what purposes
- What they appreciate most about the library
- Memorable experiences they have had while using the library
- How library services both physical and digital have supported their academic journey
- The resources they find most useful
- Their suggestions for improving library services
- Why they believe every student should make use of the library
Christopher Sssekyanzi a graduate of Water Resources Engineering from Busitema University talks us through his experiences with the Busitema University Library.
I'm Christopher Ssekyanzi, a graduate of water Resources Engineering.
Do you have any memorable experiences while using this library?
This library has nurtured me to a certain degree in that, it provides a very convenient space to internalize my reading material whether I've come with it or I have found it here.
What do you like most about the library?
As earlier mentioned, it provides a very convenient reading environment and back when I was a student, I would use it probably twice a day, 5 days a week.
How has the library supported your academic or research work?
I could say 60% because when I was doing my research for undergraduate, I would access some documents but some were not accessible under the library, yeah so 60%. There are some sites which are not subscribed to as a library. As a student you require access from your university library which is not available under this university as Busitema and that was a major issue when doing the research. I think the library would subscribe more to these sites so that students are able to access these journals when they're doing their research, maybe subscribe to other platforms like Mathworks, Autocad and GIS Online.
Which library service or resource do you find most useful?
I will still dwell on the environment provided, it was very convenient that I sit and I'm able to internalize. However due to maybe its nature, the noise was not fully canceled so maybe that can be improved as well.
Has the digital library or online resources helped you in any way?
Not really to a large degree. There was not enough sensitization, I got to know about this only in my year 4 and then most of the material I was looking for was not really available on the online service.
If you could suggest one improvement, what would it be?
It should subscribe to research websites that should help students access journals, the nice journals for them to do their undergraduate research and also their graduate research and probably provide a canteen which is really close to the library so that students are able to get refreshments once in a while while reading.
Why do you think every student should use the library?
The library provides a very good environment to internalize your content on a personal basis and as well for for discussions given that this university library has discussion rooms which are very important as a university student. So with that sometimes its hard to read from your room or from a noisy area so with the environment it provides I think everyone should utilize it.
Describe the Busitema University library in 3 words.
Three words could be many. It is good but can be improved.