Management of users’ records in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Library, Abia State

This study investigates the management of users' records in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Library, with a focus on existing methods, implementation, effectiveness, challenges, and best practices. Effective management of users' records is crucial for providing quality library services, ensuring user satisfaction, and supporting academic excellence. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. This guided the researcher in the process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. The descriptive survey design is appropriate for obtaining factual information, describing existing conditions, and examining relationships among variables in a population. The population of the study is forty-two (42) respondents, comprising twenty-four (24) professional librarians, and eighteen (18) Para-professional library staff of Michael Okpara university of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Library. The entire population of forty-two (42) respondents was studied. This approach is referred to as complete enumeration or census, in which data is collected from every unit in the population. The researcher designedquestionnaire entitled: "Management of Users' Records in Academic Libraries questionnaire (MOURALQ)" was used as data collection instrument. The data gathered from this study were analyzed using frequency tables and mean scores. The analysis was based on the respondents' answers, and the data were interpreted accordingly. The findings of the study revealed that users' records management in MOUAU Library is still dominated by traditional, paper-based methods, with minimal adoption of modern automated systems. While the existing system is effective in maintaining data accuracy, security, and confidentiality, its limited automation and operational inefficiencies hinder optimal performance. Challenges such as poor funding, inadequate infrastructure, technical difficulties, poor network connectivity, and data migration problems significantly affect the smooth running of the system. These constraints not only slow down service delivery but also expose the library to risks such as data loss, compromised confidentiality, and reduced user satisfaction. However, the study recommends that adopting best practices such as implementing robust data security, embracing modern technologies like ILS, AI, and cloud computing, formulating clear policies, conducting regular audits, and providing continuous staff training can transform users' records management into a more efficient reliable, and user-centered system.