Examining the Role of Students ID Scanning System in Strengthening Libraries Security in Tanzania Higher Learning Institutions

Abstract

This study examines the role of student ID scanning systems in strengthening library security in higher learning institutions in Tanzania. The study was conducted in response to challenges in many Tanzanian libraries, including manual or traditional access methods, which lead to poor user records, time-consuming processes, vulnerability to unauthorized access, misuse of library resources such as books, novels, and magazines, misunderstandings between users and staff, and reduced service delivery. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to obtain comprehensive data from 140 students. Quantitative data were collected through a survey and analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews and group discussions and analyzed using thematic analysis. The study indicates that a student ID scanning system will improve efficiency, reduce unauthorized entry and material loss, increase accountability, and support orderly operations. It also identifies technical failures and infrastructural limitations. The benefits of this study include library staff, students who use the library, university academic staff, and the government. They will benefit by receiving evidence-based information to support adoption, leading to the development of effective security in library systems in our country’s higher learning institutions