ZANZIBAR UNIVERSITY

TUNGUU CAMPUS

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION STUDIES

DEGREE IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

A FIELD REPORT CARRIED AT ZANZIBAR LIBRARY SERVICES

By,

JUMA SULEIMAN SEIF

MNMA/BTC.LIM/0079/19

SUBMITED ON

16/11/ 2020

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 DECLARATION AND COPY RIGHT

MOHAMMED ILHAM ALI do hereby declare that this field report is my own original work and

that it has not been presented and will not be presented to.

Signature ..................................……………………

Date............................

No part of this field report may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in

any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without

prior written permission of the author or ZANZIBAR UNIVERSITY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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This field would have not been possible without the power of Allah who has given
me power and strength to accomplish this report. I give my sincere thanks to Allah
(S.W).
Secondly, I provide special thanks to my class teachers for their advice and to
encourage me to work hard on my course and at the field to apply and gain more
knowledge.

Also, I would like to express my great thanks to ZLSB for giving me full support
cooperation and assistance during my field work.

Lastly, I appreciate my relatives and families who supported me morally,

materials and their encouragement during all time of my studies and field
attachment.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this dissertation proposal to my family who encouraged me to initivate this good work.

She was always a source of inspiration and a mentor in serious life situations. Also my

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dedication goes to my father ALI, My friends and all ZLSB staffs for being supportive when I

struggled to ensure that this work is complete.

ABBREVIATION
AAR2: Anglo American Rule2

DDC: Dewey Decimal Classification

OPAC: Online Public Access Catalogue

UK: United Kingdom

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USA: United State of America

USIS: United state Information Services

MOEVT: Ministry of Education and Vocational Training

ZLSB: Zanzibar Library Services Board.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT………………………………………………… Error! Bookmark not defin
ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………….. Error! Bookmark
defined.
ABBREVIATION…………………………………………………………………………………………
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………….

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CHAPTER ONE…………..
1.0 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………....
1.1 BACKGROUND……………………………………………………………………..
1.1.1 History of Zanzibar Library Services…………………………………………………
1.1.2 Services Offered by Zanzibar Libraries………………………………………………………
1.1.3 The library activities………………………………………………………………….
1.1.3 ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE…………………………………………… 13
1.2 ZANZIBAR LIBRARY SERVICES VISION AND MISSION……………………………
1.2.1 Vision…………………………………………………………………………..
1.2.2 Mission…………………………………………………………………………………....
1.3 OBJECTIVE AND FUNCTIONS OF ZANZIBAR LIBRARY………………
1.3.1 Objective of Zanzibar Library…………………………………………………14
1.3.2 Function of Zanzibar Library…………………………..
CHAPTER TWO…………………………………………………………16
2.2 Department and activities performed………………………………………16
2.2.2 Lending, reference Children division…………………………………18
2.2.3.1 Printing materials…………………………………………………………………………19
2.1.3.2 Photocopy services……………………………………………………………………19
2.1.3.5 Scanning services………………………………………………………
2.1.3.6 Internet services……………………………………………………………………
CHAPTER THREE………………………………………………………………………………………

3.0 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND POSSIBLE

SOLUTIONS……………………………………
3.2 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS……………………………………………………
CHAPTER FOUR……………………………………………………………………
4.0 RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION……………………………………………
4.1 RECOMMENDATION…………………………………………………………………………
4.2 CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………………
REFERENCE……………………………………………………………………………………

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CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This field work report has been conducted in Zanzibar Library Services. The
Zanzibar Library Services Board is a governmental institution under the Ministry
of Education and Vocational Training (MOEVT). The President of Zanzibar
appointed the Chairman and Director while Minister of Education and Vocational
Training appointed the remaining Board members. According to MOEVT’s
organization chart, the Board is directly under the Minister.

The Director is the Secretary of the and also Chief librarian. She is assisted by two
Assistant Chief Librarians; one is for Zanzibar Public Library Unguja head office
and another in charge of Pemba Public Library.

1.1 BACKGROUND

1.1.1 History of Zanzibar Library Services

In 1983, USIS office in Dar Es Salaam visited Zanzibar and had opportunity to
meet official Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. Among many issued they
also requested for permission to revive a USIS library on the island. The idea was
accepted and two years later, USIS dispatched two containers full of books and
furniture. The Ex-telecom building was chosen as a new site for the USIS library.
Unfortunately, the government of USA postponed this program before it took off.
The books and furniture were given to Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.
The spirit to start a Central Public Library began after the postponement of USIS
library. The Ministry later turned to British Council for assistance to establish its

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own Central Library and then in 1988, the first public library was opened in
Zanzibar Stone Town.

The Zanzibar Central Library was first located in the Ex-telecom Building a place
was first allocated for the USIS library. In late 1989s, the building was given to
Aga Khan Foundation and renovated to become the famous Serena Hotel. The
library was shifted to a temporary base at Vuga, near the Zanzibar High Court.

In 1993, the Zanzibar House of Representative enacted Act No.7 of 1993 and
established Zanzibar Library Services Board. This offer opportunity for expansion
of library services throughout the islands.

Thereafter in December 1994 the first branch library was opened in Chake Chake,
in the sister island of Pemba. ZLSB intention is to have public libraries in each
district of Zanzibar. Since 2005, ZLSB has involved Teacher Centers’ libraries.
Their library attendants were given special course to cope with the new
responsibility and each Teacher Centre received extra books. By using Teacher
Centers about eight district libraries were established, five in Zanzibar Island and
three in district libraries in Pemba.

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Figure1: Building of Zanzibar Library Services.

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1.1.2 Services Offered by Zanzibar Public Libraries
To meet the needs and demand of our customers, the libraries are different sections
which are offering the following main services;

1.1.2.1 Lending of books in both Adult library and Children library.

1.1.2.2 Reference services.
1.1.2.3 Information through Newspapers, Magazines, Journals and Newsletters.
1.1.2.4 Centralized Bibliographic service.
1.1.2.5 Internet services.
1.1.2.6 Children corner.

1.1.3 The library activities

The collaboration with local and international organizations and NGO’s Zanzibar
library services board are conducting a lot of activities. The following are the some
of them:-

● The library supply books that are donated from Book Aid International,
Book Abroad (UK), and Book for Africa (USA), and International House
(Japan). Some of the books are distributed to school libraries, community
libraries and departmental documentation centers.
● Every Friday and Wednesday Zanzibar Library services board conducts the
program for children, on Wednesday library invites students from different
schools. The activities conducted are like introducing the meaning, rules
and important of the library, reading aloud, storytelling drawing picture,
painting colour, quizz, drama and others library tour, but on Friday same
activities are done for district children in the library.

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● With collaboration with Book Aid International, each school will get one
book box, two mats and 600 children story books both in English and
Swahili language.
● The library staffs assist departments and schools to establish new libraries
in the premises.
● UITAFUTE

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 1.1.3 ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

ZANZIBAR LIBRARY SERVICE BOARD

INTERNAL
AUDITOR
DIRECTOR / CHIEF LIBRARIAN

ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTANT ZANZIBAR PUBLIC PEMBA PUBLIC

& PLANNING LIBRARY DIVISION LIBRARY DIVIS
DIVISION

ADMINISTRATION PLANNING LIBRARY LENDING ICT LIBRARY

PROFFESION SECTION SECTION PROFFESIONA
AL SECTION L SECTION

PUTE
COM

LIBRARY
SUPPORT
ROO
LIBRARY
AUTOMA

ELECT
RONIC
T
SUPPOR
Y
LIBRAR
SCHOOL

LIBRA
REFERE
CHILDREN

LIBRAR
LIBR

SCHOOL
ADU

ARY

UTION BOOKS
LIBRARY

PROCESSING
N
M
LT

RY
DISTRIB
NCE

NEW
TION

BUTIO
TION & SION OF
Y

DISTRI
COLLEC PROCES &
BOOK CTION
COLLE
BOOK

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1.2 ZANZIBAR LIBRARY SERVICES VISION AND MISSION
Every Board or Institution should have Policy in conducting its activities. Within
That Policy should have mission, vision, strategy and objective in order to achieve
their goal, such as:

1.2.1 Vision
In the year 2004/2005 the ZLSB had spelt its vision and that is;

To have a society this is satisfied with good library and information services.

1.2.2 Mission
The management has also outlined its mission so that the current vision is realized.
Among the mission outlined are:-

● To create conductive working environment for efficient and effective

delivery of services.
● To ensure good maintenance and provision of necessary facilities.
● To ensure provision of good library services.
● To purchase books, newspapers and periodicals.
● To provide fast, adequate digital information through the use of internet
services

1.3 OBJECTIVE AND FUNCTIONS OF ZANZIBAR LIBRARY

1.3.1 Objective of Zanzibar Library

To help and support education, cultural, leisure and information needs for all
peoples of Zanzibar.

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1.3.2 Function of Zanzibar Library
To enhance the library development in Zanzibar, the government passed the bill
‘Zanzibar Library Services Board Act of 1993’. Among the function of this Board
are:-
1.3.2.1 To promote, establish, maintain and develop libraries in the islands
of Zanzibar in search a manner as to meet the library requirement
of the whole population there.
1.3.2.2 Top actively promote book reading and library use throughout the
islands.
1.3.2.3 To set up, establish, equip, manage maintain develop
documentation centers and to provide documentation services.
1.3.2.4 To provide an efficient and effective library service in both urban
and rural areas, catering for the library needs of all sectors of the
community.

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 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 ACTIVITIES PERFOMED IN ORGANIZATION

2.1 FAMILIARIZATION

I reported at Zanzibar library services on Monday 18th July by 1: 30 am, once after
arriving there I introduced my selves and we were directed to Zanzibar library
services, we entered there and we were warmly welcomed by Mrs. Mahfoudha A.
Abdulkadir who is director of Zanzibar library services.

2.2 Department and activities performed

In the ZLS there are different department that deals with the give out the services

to users of the library. This department it has divided into different part that make

different work and to fill the need of the users. These departments are as follow:-

2.2.1 Department of processing

2.2.2 Department of I.C.T and computer room

2.2.3 Department of Lending, reference Children division

2.2.4 Department of reception desk

2.2.5 Department of registry

2.2.6 Department of circulation desk 2

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2.2.1 DEPARTMENT OF PROCESSING

In this section different activities were performed by the trainee during the field

work. This department has many day to day activities. As follow:-

2.2.1.1 Cataloguing. The duties of this department is cataloguing the

books by using author of the books or title of the books either

manual system or digital form. In my field training I succeeded to

catalogue total of 50 books per week for database system (KOHA)

and OCLC.

2.2.1.2 Classification. In my Field Training Practical, I attend in

processing department so as to classify the books by using DDC by

looking the subject of the books, I got the classification number by

looking in the index, schedule, and table and manual. Also I

classified through online system by searching through author

name, ISBN number, and subject heading.

2.2.1.3 To insert spine label, date label and barcode in the books. Not

only classification but in the department of processing also I have

succeeded to insert spine label in the spine of the books.

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 2.2.1.4 Registering books in the accessioning registers book

2.2.1.5 I have created book cards and date label into books and

references books.

2.2.1.6 I provided accessional number by stamping book and reference

books during processing the volume of materials and books.

2.2.2 Lending, reference Children division

This is a division of Zanzibar library services, the core functions of this division
is guide users to the material such as lending books and references book. The
division also set the specific guideline activities as follow:

2.2.2.1 Registration, this is a situation of giving user membership in the

library. There are special membership fees for example adult user
pay two thousand shilling and children for five hundred shilling.
2.2.2.2 Charging, this is a mechanism by which user will borrow book
(materials) and use the material outside of the library.
2.2.2.3 To provide education to the user for example how to use card
catalogue in the library.
2.2.2.4 To conduct the children program and develop the same children
activities and format to train all children program in Zanzibar
public library.
2.2.2.5 Conducting the Children program inside and Outside of
organization.
2.2.2.6 Shelving and re-shelving

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2.2.3 Department of ICT and Computer Room

The ICT division concerned with technological issues. There are computers with

internet installation which offer library users in all technological services. Such as;

2.2.3.1 Printing materials

Printing of materials is the process of reproducing text, for handwriting method
often called printing. Also is a process for reproducing text and image typically
with ink on paper using printing press. In this division, I provided services
according needs of users for example; printing online document and other office
documents such as letters and weekly report i.e. Statistics.

2.1.3.2 Photocopy services

Photocopy service is the situation of increasing numbers of copy such as
document, image and text. Made by the action of light on a specially treatment
surface, make as many photocopies as user needs. Unfortunately I couldn’t do this
activity because the photocopy machine was not working.

2.1.3.5 Scanning services

Scanning services refers as providing of a document, text and images from the
original. The division has been scanners in order to provide this service. The
services provide their user needs for example he/she needs to scan document,
picture and text. The users paid a five hundred (500) only.

2.1.3.6 Internet services

This is a global network of network. The division provides the services by using
two ways such as dialog (cabling) and wireless for staff only. These services are
offered for both users included permanent members and temporary members.
There is a regular internet charging fees which base on five hundred shillings (500)
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only per hour for those who are not the members, members cn use this service for
free in one hour..

Also there are various activities that I did in my field practical; as a follows;

2.2.3 Creativity membership identification.

2.2.4 To store patron information.

2.2.5 Acquisition library materials

2.2.6 Reception desk.

2.2.7 Circulation desk two

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 CHAPTER THREE
3.0 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

This chapter discusses different problems and challenges of activities performed in

organization during practical training, there were some problems and challenges.

3.1 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED

During my field practical training there were various problems that I faced when I

fulfilled my duties, these problems were as follows;

3.1.1 An adequate of shelves. This is serious challenge at ZLS this is

because the shelves are few and books are so many so some of the

book are didn’t have enough space sometimes this materials are rare

and needed by user in order to read that materials so materials are

remain and the box because of lacking of shelves on the library.

3.1.2 Internet problem. This problem affected me with other office staffs

and our customers who came to use internet at the ZLS because when

a users come so as to access materials so the internet are be problem

and lead users fail to access that materials and even when I want to

enter the books in the system internet are harass and make fall to enter

the books in the KOHA. Also during the process of classifying a book

it made the confusion caused by poor internet connection.

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 3.1.3 Lack of activities. Also this another challenges of my field work

attachment because some of the day when I’m go to the library I do

work of arrange the books in the shelves only without doing other

activities. So this is lead to be lazy in the work and lead to haven’t

more experience of other activities that concern library.

3.1.4 Lack of users. This is one among the serious problem that I faced

during my practical training because I didn’t understand in which

services are offered for them also this is lead to don’t understand

which important services are given the users. Such as how can borrow

the books and insert in the system for check in and check out.

3.1.5 In the field place I saw new department (children corner) which are

not appeared in course outline and in our course during the university

lesson.

3.2 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

In my field training I have succeeded to solve the problems in my field report. The

following are the possible solution:-

i. Provide education to the users of the library. In my field training I succeeded

to overcome this challenge by providing education to the users of library.

When a users come to the library I persuade the users by tell them the

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 importance of using library because they can get the different materials such

as examination papers, student research project report and loan of materials.

ii. To find activities by asking for the workers. Also I make the effort of ask the

work that need to complete at office and gain me knowledge and skills of

different work in the different department of the library.

iii. Library material such as book, must be measure before arrangement at the

shelves, because it removal problem of poor arrangement, during arrange in

systematic order

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 CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION

4.1 RECOMMENDATION
In the library curriculum include the topic of children library as a part of course
outline.

Institution should be make enough place for adult user, especial researchers needs
silence place during make their research.

References sources should be under the reference librarian in order to solve

problem of lost references material.

Reference librarian should be provided affectively education and advice to the

patron, during coming needs to use references book.

4.2 CONCLUSION
Practical training is a good program which enhances students to learn, understand

as well as linking what have been taught in class and what is being practiced in

work areas. The training exposes students to new challenges necessary in their

career. Most of the things taught theoretically are practiced during the field

Practical Training. Therefore it enables students to experience different working

environment before they are actually employed or employ themselves upon

completion of their studies. Library services is the very important to our society, so

government to insure should be provide to set priority and strategies in order to

develop the course of librarianship in academic as well as institutional base.

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REFERENCE
http://moez.go.tz/moez/index.php/sw

http://www.zls.go.tz

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