The quest for academic status: a critical review of the criteria for appointment and promotion of Librarians at Makerere University, Uganda.

Abstract

Academic librarians all over the globe have hankered for academic status and while some have attained it, it is remained elusive for others. For decades, librarians at Makerere University enjoyed academic status on appointment in the University service till the enactment of the University and Other Tertiary Institutions Act of 2001 that stipulated that a librarian had to be designated academic. This stipulation requires that a librarian to be designated by the appointing organ of the university. The main aim of this paper is to understand how the librarians at Makerere University have repositioned themselves to take advantage of this new development, consider implication(s) to continuing professional development, workplace learning and service delivery and the challenges. The methodology employed includes, questionnaire, documentary review, Interview method and personal experience.