Library Service

1.     Background

Mattu University (MaU) is established as a prominent third-generation public institution in Ethiopia under the Regulation of the House of Ministers No. 238/2011. Situated in Mattu town within the Oromia Regional State, the university supports a sprawling boarding environment that serves thousands of students across highly technical, agricultural, health, social science and natural science disciplines. To fulfill its overarching mission of delivering quality academic learning, problem-solving research, and value-adding community services, the university anchors its operations within robust informational and library frameworks governed strategically at the executive level.

The institutional reach of the Executive Office encompasses an extensive multi-site physical landscape, massive localized network components, and a large structural division of labor. The physical and programmatic operational footprint is outlined below:

·       Physical Library Footprint: Direct operational governance spanning one (1) centrally established Main Library and three (3) strategically placed branch hubs—which includes the complete collegiate network at the Bedele Campus. Combined, the facilities accommodate an active simultaneous seating environment optimized for approximately 3,000 students.

·       Human Capital Management: Oversees a total division of labor encompassing approximately 280 structured full-time library workers, strategically aligned under four (4) technical team leaders and six (6) continuous shift coordinators to drive day-to-day services.

Digital Asset Infrastructure: Maintains the complete integrity and continuous expansion of the internal library data servers (SRE Machine), hosting a robust selection of over 93,000 electronic books and academic reference entries. This system communicates dynamically via an extensive 1.5 KM radius campus Wi-Fi network tailored for local device lookups.

2.     Core Activities of the Library Office

2.1  Collection Development and Management

o   Selecting, acquiring, organizing, and maintaining books, journals, e-books, databases, and other learning resources.

1. Ensuring library collections meet the teaching, learning, and research needs of the university.

2.2  Library User Services

1. Providing borrowing, lending, reference, circulation, and information services.

2. Assisting students, instructors, researchers, and other users in finding and using information effectively.

2.3 Information Literacy and User Orientation

1. Providing library orientation for new students and staff.

2. Training users on information searching, evaluation, citation, referencing, and ethical use of information.

2.4 Digital Library and ICT Services

1. Managing electronic resources, institutional repositories, online databases, and digital library services.

2. Supporting users in accessing electronic information resources.

2.4  Research Support

1. Supporting students and academic staff in literature searching, scholarly communication, referencing, and research information management.

2. Providing access to relevant academic databases and research materials.

2.5 Cataloguing and Classification

1. Cataloguing, classifying, labeling, and organizing library materials for easy retrieval.

2. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date library records.

2.6 Preservation and Conservation

1. Protecting books, manuscripts, documents, and digital resources from damage and deterioration.

2. Ensuring long-term accessibility of valuable information resources.

2.7  Reading and Learning Environment

1. Providing a quiet, accessible, inclusive, and student-friendly environment for reading, study, and academic collaboration.

2.8 Library Planning and Administration

1. Preparing annual plans, budgets, reports, policies, and performance assessments.

2. Managing library staff, facilities, equipment, and resources efficiently.

2.9  Partnership and Networking

• Collaborating with academic departments, other libraries, institutions, and professional organizations.

• Promoting resource sharing, interlibrary cooperation, and professional development.

2.10 Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Collecting user feedback and monitoring service quality.

• Using evidence and feedback to improve library services and user satisfaction.

2.10                   Promotion of Reading, Research, and Knowledge Sharing

• Organizing reading programs, exhibitions, seminars, research events, and other academic activities.

• Promoting a culture of reading, lifelong learning, innovation, and knowledge creation.

Core Focus

In a concise form, the Library Office should focus on:

“Providing equitable access to relevant information resources, delivering quality user-centered services, supporting teaching, learning and research, promoting information literacy and digital skills, preserving knowledge, and creating an inclusive environment for lifelong learning.”

MESSAGE FROM THE LIBRARY EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Building a Library for Learning, Research, Innovation, and Lifelong Growth

Dear Students, Academic Staff, Researchers, and Valued Library Users,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our Library. A library is much more than a room filled with books and computers. It is a place where questions begin, ideas grow, knowledge is shared, and people discover new possibilities. For us, the Library is an essential part of the University community and an important partner in teaching, learning, research, and personal development.

 Our vision is to build a modern, inclusive, technology-supported, and user-centered library that serves as a vibrant hub for learning, research, innovation, and knowledge creation. We want every person who enters our Library—physically or digitally—to feel welcomed, supported, and able to find the information and services they need.

To achieve this vision, our mission is to provide accessible, relevant, diverse, and quality information resources and responsive library services. We are committed to supporting students in their studies, assisting teachers and researchers in their work, promoting information and digital literacy, and creating an environment that encourages reading, critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning.

 Our work is guided by values that shape the way we serve our community. We value excellence in everything we do; accessibility and inclusion so that everyone has a fair opportunity to benefit from library resources; integrity, accountability, and professional ethics; respect for diversity and individual differences; innovation and responsible use of technology; collaboration with the University community; and a strong commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

 As the world of information continues to change, we recognize that libraries must also change. We are therefore working to strengthen our digital services, expand access to electronic resources, improve user support, develop information and digital literacy, and provide welcoming spaces for individual study, collaboration, and research. At the same time, we remain committed to the importance of books, reading, human interaction, and professional guidance.I believe that a successful library is built together with its users. Your questions, ideas, suggestions, and feedback help us understand what you need and how we can serve you better. I therefore encourage every student, staff member, researcher, and visitor to make full use of our resources and services and to see the Library as a partner in achieving your academic and professional goals.

Together, let us create a culture of reading, learning, research, innovation, sharing, and lifelong growth. Let us make our Library a welcoming place where knowledge is accessible to all and where every user can find the support and inspiration to move forward.

Thank you for being part of our Library community. We look forward to learning, growing, and building a better future together.