Museumization in Libraries: Challenges and Prospects at Lira University Library ()
1. Introduction
Libraries have long been centers for information delivery where people can browse and access a variety of information resources. Typically, libraries offer information products like books, journals, newspapers, magazines, dissertations and theses. Whether print or electronic, libraries are mandated to offer access platforms for information products to the satisfaction of their clientele. Bala Sankar (2022) [1] opines that users in the modern world want modern libraries that offer a variety of information sources that match their information needs. Libraries have traditionally been mandated to disseminate information and preserve cultural resources in a way that they bridge provisions and resources of past, present and future [2] (Ngozi Anasi et al. 2013). According to [3] IFLA and UNESCO (2022), libraries support the rights to education and ensure that people can participate in knowledge societies and as well ensure that community cultural life is accessible to many people. This is so because people’s search for information is an endless activity. This is emphasized by [4] Abdulsalami et al. (2013) who opine that the pursuit and search for knowledge recognizes no bounds nor limits and is a continuous process. As such libraries offer avenues that support dissemination and uptake of multi-dimensional information that supports the information needs of different categories of people. Libraries have continually developed to offer relevant and needed services, resources and space to the communities they serve. The library is no longer defined by the number of books it has on its shelves, but rather a vibrant “living” space for its users.
Libraries provide avenues for their users of diverse backgrounds and needs to effectively partake of the available information menu. Knowledge society and the empowerment of individuals particularly the marginalized and impoverished to exercise their rights, engage in the economy, acquire new skills, enhance their cultural identity, and participate in decision-making are ways in which well-functioning libraries and information services contribute to socioeconomic development [5] (IFLA, 2013). Mkumbo (2016) [6] opines that a society’s ability to succeed is largely dependent on the quality of its library and information services collections, as these institutions serve as hubs for research, scholarship, invention, finding new information, and the storage of occupational skills. Access to current and pertinent information puts communities in a better position to promote people’s health, culture, research, and innovation, as well as to end poverty and inequality, enhance agriculture, and deliver high-quality education [7] (IFLA, 2018). By providing services and programs like teaching kids to love and appreciate reading, and supporting academics and researchers in using their research skills to further development, libraries and information services play a vital role in the educational and competency development of a country [8] (Abata-Ebire 2018).
According to [1] Bala Sankar (2022), librarians ought to be thinking of new and current trends. They should be ready for new changes in their libraries and therefore ought to get a clear view of the important unquestionable things that occur in the present. Libraries in the contemporary world should diversify, define and redefine their services in such a way that they can counter the demands of the new environment of information and communication. Libraries should get involved in their communities by playing actively in the cultural, educational and social events of their communities [9] (Tîrziman 2018). Museumization is an avenue in which libraries can expand their provisions and clientele list so as to offer multidimensional information services for the communities in which they are posited. Museumization according to [10] Galla & Paulo (2016) involves the presentation and interpretation of heritages of cultural groups both tangible and intangible [11]. Sera-Shriar (2023) on the other hand opines that museumization is a series of edifying activities a heritage goes through when registered in a museum. Perhaps recognizing that museumization is a continuous process in which heritages are treated and managed from their time of arrival or accessioning. Museumization embodies a series of events aimed at discovering, examining, reviving and popularizing of cultural tangible and intangible heritages [12] (Samuelyan, 2000).
Museumization in libraries therefore offers avenues in which libraries collect, document, preserve and make available cultural heritages that speak to communities in which they are located. We define museumization in libraries as the processes of identifying, documenting, presenting, promoting and conserving cultural heritages in library spaces. Cultural heritages embody physical objects like paintings, sculptures, monuments, architectural buildings and archaeological sites. According to [13] Kaddu (2015) cultural heritages mirror the customs, traditions, practices, objects, places, expressions of art, values and behaviour of a community and are often transferred from one generation to another. They include an array of traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants normally referred to as “Intangible Cultural Heritages” (ICH) which may take forms of Oral traditions, Rituals, Cultural festive events, Performing arts among others [14] (Xiao et al., 2018).
This paper proposes a museumization model for libraries in which the fundamental elements believed to be critical for an effective museumization process are earmarked. The model is especially tailored to guide libraries as a benchmark to kick start libraries’ museumification initiatives so as to realize the adoption and care for cultural heritages as sources of information in libraries. Libraries therefore should be in position to identify cultural heritages that match their scope by scrutinizing them in such a way that meaning can be made of them to support their documentation, storage, and exhibition in libraries for the benefit of library users. Museumization as such widens and expands library provisions from the traditional and obvious products and services to a more captivating and unanticipated information resource depicted in cultural heritages. We, therefore, present the most critical elements that depict activities that ought to be done in order to achieve museumization.
2. Context
Uganda is blessed with a rich collection of heritages. According to [15] Ayorekire et al. (2019), Uganda is enriched with unique and diverse traditions and cultures which make a huge potential of tourism. Uganda’s Cultural heritage embodies cultural and artistic expressions which include literary arts, handcrafts, cultural beliefs, performing arts, antiquities, visual arts, among several others [16] (MoGLSD Uganda, 2006). Cultural heritage plays a significant part and role in the growth of Uganda [17] (Nakayi & Witte, 2019) [18]. Nsibambi (2022) opines that Uganda’s cultural heritage holds educational and social cultural values which in sense enhance tourism and offer jobs. Acquiring accurate information about cultural and historical heritages is essential so as to provide heritage potential capable of bringing in tourists [19] (Simon, 2013). Without proper documentation and preservation of cultural heritage, young generations are deprived of the chance to learn about their cultural heritage [20] (Nsibambi, 2018).
While it’s expected that the government can superintend the management of heritages, it barely involved in past matters [21] (Harding, 2023). There is little awareness about the requirement for protection, conservation and promotion of cultural heritages which has resulted in the erosion, degradation, damage and neglection of cultural heritages [15] (Ayorekire et al., 2019). Conserving cultural heritages in Uganda seems not a preserve of the country in its national museum but rather a mandate that is tried by community museums in the country presenting and conserving the diverse history of Uganda and her cultural heritage [20] (Nsibambi, 2018). Kaddu (2015) [13] opines that the very few cultural heritages in Uganda can be seen as a result of a lack in an orderly and methodical cultural heritage conservation including preservation and restoration work [13]. Kaddu further opines that many artifacts in the country were lost due to natural calamities, malicious acts of people as well as war while several were lost to colonialists through exportation which calls for concerted efforts to reinvigorate and secure cultural heritages [21]. Harding (2023) citing Abungu (2012) avers that the targeting of African culture by religious and colonial powers as primitive and diabolical in part is responsible for the massive impairment of cultural heritages in Africa.
The peoples’ perception of heritage however is growing especially with its linkages in development, management and preservation more so in developing nations. As such, there is an increasing perception of heritage as part of all sectors [22] (Ssenyonga, 2016). According to [21] Harding, (2023), the government of Uganda has made it possible for communities to repeatedly reignite the country’s past with no interference from the state. Uganda has a series of frameworks geared towards the protection of her cultural heritage. Such frameworks include the Museums and Monuments policy of 2015 which guides heritage conservation in collaboration with schools., universities and other tertiary institutions through the Ministry of Education among others [23] (CCFU, 2018). The Uganda government through her development frameworks like Vision 2040 and the national development Plans has also prioritized tourism through emphasis on diversification and conservation of products [15] (Ayorekire et al., 2019). The call for educational institutions to be part of the protection of heritages opens avenues for museumization of which university libraries are part and therefore offers avenues for heritage preservation and conservation which involves preserving cultural heritages for posterity [24] (Kafuuma et al., 2019).
Community museums in Uganda are exponentially growing with the aim of collecting, preserving and promoting cultural heritages often as a result of effort from families, groups of people or individual effort while in some instances Civil society organizations and universities also establish their own museums [18] (Nsibambi, 2022). Some university libraries hold collections such as paintings, objects, artifacts, albums and large collections of photographs [2] (Ngozi Anasi et al., 2013). According to Nwofor, Chikaodi, & Chibueze (2023) [25], cultural heritages are preserved by libraries as resources that link the present and the past and as well pave the way for the future. The library which has the mandate to identify, document, collect, and preserve heritages should possess meaningful approaches that are efficient and effective to achieve cultural heritage preservation for the benefit of the community it serves. Libraries as institutions for cultural heritage are expected to enhance and encourage the maintenance and conservation of heritage objects of different communities and as well ensure their management for effective utilization [26] (Ogbu et al., 2020).
Chibuzor and Ngozi (2009) [27] note that conservation of historical, scientific and cultural heritage of nations as well as their exhibition represents a lifelong commitment of libraries. Libraries and information professionals play a significant role in the effective and efficient management of cultural information resources [28] (Vassilakaki et al., 2019) [29]. Aboyade and Adeyemo (2019) aver that with their information management knowledge, librarians can organize indigenous knowledge at the edge of getting to extermination into well documented, organized and arranged information. Globally, libraries have been at the center of efforts in avoiding threats to cultural heritages by protecting, conserving and offering access to documentary cultural heritage thereby by giving communities long-lasting access to their heritages and as such nurturing creativity, shaping strong societies and fostering development [30] (IFLA, 2017).
Heritage which is regarded as cultural capital breeds rise of novel services which inspire provisions such as museums [31] (Alonso & González, 2021). Museums embody a form of institution in which communities can profile their shared memory. Displaying and preserving the original form of heritages as long as necessary are essential in museums [32] (Akhmedov et al., 2021). Museums are part of society with a principal duty of safeguarding artefacts as manifestations of human mind evolution [33] (Van der Wateren, 1999) Other than exist as erudite exhibitions of heritages, museums exists as links between past and present generations through the reconstruction of learning spaces for engaging well in what is left for us in heritages [34] (De Simone, 2015). According to [26] Ogbu et al. (2020) museums are institutions with the mandate to gather, study, display and preserve heritages for educational and cultural purposes.
According to the International Council of Museums [35] ICOM (2024) a museum is a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the public, accessible and inclusive museums foster diversity and sustainability. They operate and communicate ethically, professionally and with the participation of communities, offering varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing.
Cultural heritage preservation is pivotal in securing the sense of who we are in this world of diverse cultures [36] (Ekwelem et al., 2011). [12] Samuelyan (2000) as well avers that cultural heritages play a significant part in national identity creation, social capital and civil society development as well as cultural diversity preservation.
The objective of this study was to examine the museumization of Lira University Library with a focus on the museum heritages acquisition, documentation, preservation management, exhibition management and visitor control as well as the difficulties embodied in the museumization of the library.
3. Methodology
A qualitative approach to the study was adopted for the study. This approach was adopted because the study relied more on text and image data [37] (Creswell & Creswell, 2022). The study participants included librarians, museum caretakers, heritage collectors, volunteers, and one top university administrator. Also, two student leaders in the university were included in the study. Given the nature of the study and the context presented, participants were purposively selected on the basis of knowledge and experience about the library museum and its services to the community. Purposive sampling was employed because it is a strategic approach to sampling in which “information-rich cases” are sought out in order to best address the research purpose and questions ([38] Morse, 2010; [39] Patton, 2015). The researchers were optimistic and certain that the participants were abreast with the management of the library museum. The participants were selected purposively because the researchers wanted to establish the actual processes involved in museumization of the library at this university. Because participants were familiar with their work and activities in cultural heritage management, it would result in adequate and valid deductions for the study.
Data was collected qualitatively using in-depth interviews, document analysis as well as observation methods. In-depth interviews were conducted with key informants that included administrators of the library museum. Librarians and museum caretakers were interviewed to provide context of the study.
The researchers took time to conduct interviews over different periods so as to gather comprehensive research data. In depth, interviews were face-to-face at the convenience of the participants so as to gather as much detail as possible. The aim was to capture the participants’ points of view, experiences, feelings, and perspectives.
Document analysis was also important in the study as several documents including agreements, policy documents, and acquisition documents among others were selected and reviewed to inform the study. It involved examining identified documents and interpreting data therein to uncover meaning, achieve comprehension of phenomenon, and come to a conclusion. Conducting a document analysis allowed the researchers to have access to data that would otherwise take enormous effort and time to collect. In addition, it offered fewer ethical concerns to deal with unobtrusive form of research, cost-effective method and more opportunities to do this research that would otherwise be difficult to do [40] (Merriam & Tisdell, 2016).
Observation was very crucial for this study. Observation involved viewing and taking note of processes and activities in the museum section of the library. Observable elements such as storage, use, maintenance, visitor management and exhibition among others were considered. The researchers at different intervals over a period of two months were able to document observable elements for the study.
Data collected was then analyzed using content analysis to develop themes and headings for reporting. Contant analysis enabled the establishment of meanings as well as well relationships between data which gave rise to themes and concepts which were used for data reporting.
4. Findings and Discussions
From this study, we describe museumization in libraries as the process of developing and marching intervention in cultural heritage management in our libraries. Museumization of libraries calls for libraries’ involvement in cultural heritage management through:
Opening spaces for cultural heritage.
Promoting Cultural heritages.
Exhibiting cultural heritages and.
Preserving cultural heritages.
It was identified that the Library Museum was established with the following objectives:
To appreciate local heritages without discrimination.
To acquire and secure cultural heritages in the area.
To document cultural heritages of the areas.
To preserve and manage cultural heritages of the communities.
To display and exhibit cultural heritages.
To create a centre for cultural heritage education and training.
To promote research in cultural heritage management.
In order to achieve the above objectives, several activities are performed. Such activities include:
Participation in national exhibition fairs and festivals in the country.
Education services: Teaching museum visitors on cultural heritages.
Museum objects conservations.
Collections acquisitions and documentation.
4.1. The Library Museum Heritages Acquisition
The university and library museum has largely adopted field acquisition strategies for heritages which are collected from communities around Lira University. Museum collections including library staff, museum volunteers, and well-wishers have visited communities in Teso land, Lango region, Acholi land and Karamoja to collect cultural heritages. In the field, cultural heritages are collected from the locals who are willing to give them off for preservation and conservation for posterity.
Most of the heritages are bought or rather purchased from the owners at fees negotiated and accepted by the heritage owners while some are donated by the community members, especially as a result of awareness sessions on the need for cultural heritage preservation. It was found out that the donations were voluntary and that they came as a result of community members’ appreciation of the institution for cultural heritage conservation efforts.
Awareness campaigns involve discussion on what the cultural heritages mean to society, why they should be preserved and how they should be preserved. Field collectors also advise the community members on how to preserve and conserve their heritages so as to ensure cultural preservation and sustainability.
Another approach to donation in which the library museum acquires heritages takes place at the museum facility. Unlike filed donations realized from the community premises by field teams, some heritages are donated to the museum at the facility.
Several museum proponents who have visited the library university library museum have donated or promised to donate different kinds of heritages. Heritages donated through this approach are often welcomed and authenticated before they are processed for exhibition. Purchase and donation are the methods of acquisition adopted by the library museum. A number of heritages are collected and preserved at this museum. These heritages include:
Legal tender or money. The currencies address the evolution in the money currency of different regions especially Uganda. The Ugandan currency notes are maintained at the museum depicting the transformation of currencies. (See Figure 1)
Figure 1. Showing evolution of currencies.
Other heritages preserved at the museum are:
Sculptures (wood carvings);
Artifacts;
Traditional knives - Pala;
Body adornment depicting cultural evolution and transformation;
Local preservation containers;
Essential animal skins;
Traditional mats;
Traditional furniture including Adanya & Meya;
Leisure and entertainment tools;
Food culture equipment and tools;
War and fighting tools.
All heritages at the library museum are tangible although it was noted that approaches for the documentation of intangible heritages were being discussed. It was noted that there are plans by the library to expand on the nature of heritages captured and exhibited in the museum section in the future.
The library administration is aware of the value of intangible heritages in preserving culture although they are challenged by the absence of equipment and tools for capturing and preserving this type of cultural heritage (See Figure 2 and Figure 3).
Figure 2. Cultural heritages depicting civilization.
Figure 3. Showing cultural heritage preservation tools and body adornments.
4.2. Documentation of Museum Heritages at the Library Museum
At the library museum, documentation involves recording and capturing information about a given heritage piece so as to ensure its accurate preservation and conservation. It is an element of library museum management that addresses identification, examination and interpretation of cultural heritages. It was revealed that identification involves the process of pinpointing and discovering items that meet cultural heritage status according to the cultural value attached to them by a given community. The process of documentation also involves examination of heritages to establish their conditions and preservation requirements. Museum and library staff are engaged in inspecting and studying the cultural heritages to establish storage, preservation and conservation needs. Examination of heritages is also accompanied by interpretation which in most cases involves translation and making meaning of the different cultural heritages.
Documentation of library museum heritages is carried out both through field and in-house documentation. Field documentation activities involve capturing data about heritages during field collection and acquisitions. Field documentation is very important as it helps in capturing heritage data from the provenance and user communities which allows for accurate recording about the heritages. It was noted that in-house documentation is for purposes of capturing data that supports the management and conservation of museum heritages. Data captured about the cultural heritages includes the following:
Name of heritage (both local and English names);
Brief about the cultural heritage (history);
Source or provenance;
Method of acquisitions;
Date of acquisition;
Donor in case of donations;
Terms of use;
Purpose of the heritage to the community;
Condition of the cultural heritage;
Preservation requirements;
Accession number;
Category of cultural heritage;
Storage area or location.
4.3. Preservation and Exhibition Management of Museum Heritages at the Library Museum
A section of the library has been set aside for the preservation, conservation and exhibition of cultural heritages. Depending on the nature of cultural heritages, different gadgets and tools are used to exhibit these heritages to visitors and users. Although some cultural heritages are kept in the open, some other heritages that are more delicate are preserved and exhibited from display boxes mounted with regulated lighting systems.
Maintenance activities are done in the museum section of the library including housekeeping activities. Cleaning is done on a daily and dust is kept out of the storage area and heritage casings through dusting using semi-dry cloths to avoid dust pollution during cleaning (See Figure 4).
Monitoring of the heritages and storage areas is also done on a regular basis so as to identify deterioration agents as well as user practices in the museum sections. Monitoring is done together with examination in authorized personnel who are expected to inspect different heritages on a regular basis to ascertain the condition of the heritages and as well identify signs of deterioration or deteriorating agents.
Preservation guidelines for users and museum attendants are also provided so as to minimize loss as a result of mishandling. Throughout the entire collection, touching heritage items is prohibited for all users except during cleaning and examination which is often carried out by museum heritage attendants in the library.
Temperature and relative humidity are monitored to ensure a controlled environment in which the heritages can thrive. The museum in charge is expected to monitor temperatures and relative humidity effects on the heritages at regular intervals and also regulate light use in the area.
Figure 4. Showing cultural heritage preservation.
4.4. Heritage Exhibition at the Library Museum
The museum section of the library has its heritages on permanent exhibition. On the basis of duration, all heritage items are displayed permanently in the section and are clearly visible to the library users and museum visitors.
The library museum has become a centre of heritage education for secondary and primary schools in the area. Schools in the area send learners to the university museum to get acquainted with exhibited cultural heritages. The learners are guided through the heritages by the museum attendants. Leaners are allowed to ask questions and as well receive feedback which enables them to understand more the value of these heritages in line with their cultures.
The library administration is also considering online exhibition of its heritages to the entire world through its library website. It was noted that online exhibition given opportunities to all museum lovers and communities to view and read about cultural heritages in the possession of the library without physical presence in the library. It was noted that once implemented, online exhibitions will go a long way in promoting and cultural heritages in the library (See Figure 5).
Figure 5. Showing animal skins used in communities.
5. Difficulties in the Museumization of the Library
5.1. Absence of a Budget Dedicated to Cultural Heritages Management and Preservation
Most of the difficulties faced in the museumization of the library are hinged on the limited resources envelope which is a result of lack of budgets. It was noted that almost all museum activities that have been carried out are a result of well-wishers’ efforts. The lack of a dedicated budget for museumization leaves library administrators hand tied on what to do about the progression of the museum activities. The absence of a budget makes all museum activities in the library almost impossible to carry out despite the value attached to cultural heritage management.
5.2. Inadequate Policy and Regulatory Frameworks for Cultural Heritages Management
It should be noted that policy is central to the success of most management aspects of institutions. However, it was noted that the library museum does not have policy frameworks that guide its activities including collections acquisition, staffing, preservation, exhibition management, and visitor control among others. The absence of institutional accepted policy makes the work of the librarians in this museumization drive cumbersome.
5.3. Space Challenges
Crowding is a problem faced due to the inadequate space. The library space in general is small and therefore the presence of a museum in this library exacerbates the already worse situation in space. During school visits, the library becomes crowded and at times inconveniencing other library users.
However, the library administration tries to manage this by scheduling museum visitors in manageable shifts. Although this approach is time-consuming and makes the work of the museum attendant, repetitive.
5.4. Lack of a Permanent Museum Staff
Even though the value of staffing for the effective running of any unit is acknowledged, the library museum lacks a permanent and designated museum staff to attend museum activities permanently. The library has managed this by alternating library staff to attend to the museum section. It was noted that at all times, a library staff is identified to take charge of the museum activities in addition to their library work.
It was also noted that none of the library staff and museum attendants had been trained in museum management. The staff lacked heritage conservation and curator skills other than the basic knowledge of museum administration. Some library staff noted that they needed specialized training in museum conservation so as to gain knowledge and skills museum conservation.
5.5. Dust
Museum heritages are exposed to dust as a result of excessive wind in the area which greatly leads to dust pollution. Items which are not placed in casings and protectors are exposed to a lot of dust which contributes to the deterioration of items on display. The library has ensured routine and constant cleaning of the heritages in order to reduce the effects of dust on the items.
5.6. Lack of Tools and Equipment
Cultural heritage management requires several tools and equipment including temperature and relative humidity monitors and controllers, Showcases, humidifiers, disinfestation chambers, and vacuum cleaners among other in the management and conservation of cultural heritages. However, it was noted that the library lacks adequate tools for cultural heritage conservation.
Other challenges identified in the museumization of the library included lack of an insurance policy for the heritages.
6. The Museumization Model
Based on the activities of the library, we concluded with a museumization model which involves 7 elements. The elements depict activities that ought to be done in order to achieve museumization (See Figure 6).
Figure 6. The museumization model.
1) Discovering & Identifying: Finding cultural heritages;
2) Examining: Studying and inspecting cultural heritages;
3) Interpreting: Making meaning and sense of cultural heritages;
4) Documenting: Capturing data about cultural heritages;
5) Presenting: Exhibition. Making cultural heritages available;
6) Conserving: Preserving for posterity;
7) Popularizing: Marketing, promoting and making known cultural heritages.
7. Conclusion
Museumization in Libraries calls for a shift in which libraries can integrate cultural heritages in their spaces with the aim of achieving and promoting SDG 8 target 9 which emphasizes formulation of policies that facilitate sustainable tourism which brings employment and as well promotes local culture and products. Museumization as well resonates with SDG 11 target 4 which “aims at strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage” by the year 2030. Cultural heritages are essential to the spiritual well-being of people for due to their powerful symbolic, aesthetic and religious impressions; they are necessary for economic development and as help people recover a sense of continuity, dignity and empowerment.
Cultural heritage is a resource for sustainable development and plays a substantial role in the creation of National Identity and the preservation of cultural diversity. Libraries’ involvement in cultural heritage management provides an avenue to preserve cultural bearing that can be passed on to generations.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.