Abstract:
This study intended to investigate the effectiveness of the special collections and to find out the materials and services provided by the special collections, to assess the utilization of the special collections by the undergraduates at the University of Zambia and also to assess the challenges faced by undergraduate students when using the Special Collections. This case study was meant to find out the major issues in the case and to suggest solutions that would help dissolve them. It consisted of both qualitative and quantitative techniques with a sample size of 100, which was selected using purposive sampling and data was collected through the use of interviews and questionnaires which included closed-ended and open-ended questions. Furthermore, the data was analyzed using content analysis and the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).
The findings of this study showed that the Special Collection contains materials of different kinds of which some are in digital and physical format which includes; government documents, Zambian University publications, thesis, publications of international organizations like World Bank, United Nations and other international organizations. It also contains newspapers and publication done by Zambians which are rarely found in the public domain. Concerning the accessibility and utilization of the materials and services under the Special Collection, the findings of the study showed that there is underutilization of the materials in the Special Collections. The underutilization of the materials and services is as a result of lack of sensitization or marketing programs as it can be attributed to the lack of awareness of the Special Collection and its services among undergraduate students.
In addition, it was further noticed that most of the undergraduates only visit the Special Collection when they have an academic assignment which requires them to visit the department. The department should come up with sensitization or marketing programs, make rules more flexible pertaining to the accessibility of the special collection and also the University of Zambia management should put into consideration renovating the roofing in the department to protect thematerials from water leakages during the rainy season.
