This study investigated the museumization process of Lira University Library, focusing on the acquisition, documentation, preservation management, exhibition management, and visitor control of museum heritages within the library’s premises. A qualitative approach to the study was adopted using indepth interviews, document analysis as well as observation methods. The study also addressed the challenges inherent in this process, while emphasizing the significance of incorporating cultural heritages into library spaces to advance sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 target 9 and SDG 11 target 4. Acknowledging cultural heritage as a catalyst for sustainable development, the study underscores the pivotal role of libraries in cultural heritage management, serving as repositories for preserving cultural legacy for future generations. The establishment of the Library Museum is outlined with objectives including appreciation, acquisition, documentation, preservation, management, exhibition, education, and research in cultural heritage. Additionally, the study proposes a museumization model based on the library’s activities, consisting of seven elements that delineate essential actions required to achieve effective museumization.
Cite this paper
Mukungu, I. , Izaruku, R. and Lyaka, M. (2024). Museumization in Libraries: Challenges and Prospects at Lira University Library. Open Access Library Journal, 11, e1769. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1111769.
Ngozi Anasi, S., Ibegwam, A. and Olubukunmi Oyediran-Tidings, S. (2013) Preservation and Dis-semination of Women's Cultural Heritage in Nigerian University Libraries. Library Review, 62, 472-491. https://doi.org/10.1108/lr-11-2012-0126
IFLA and UNESCO (2022) IFLA-UNESCO Public Library Manifesto 2022. https://repository.ifla.org/bitstream/123456789/2006/1/IFLA-UNESCO%20Public%20Library%20Manifesto%202022.pdf
Abdulsalami, L.T., Okezie, Q.I. and Agbo, A.D. (2013) The Role of the Library in the Promotion of Knowledge Societies in Nigeria. Advances in Applied Science Research, 4, 58-70.
Mkumbo, W.C. (2016) The Role of Libraries in Realizing the Achievement of Inclusive and Equitable Quality Educa-tion in Tanzania. International Journal of Library & Information Science, 6, 1-8.
Abata-Ebire, B.D., Adebowale, J.A. and Ojokuku, B.Y. (2018) Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) in Nigeria: The Roles of Libraries. International Journal of Applied Technologies in Library and Information Management, 4, 89-95.
Tîrziman, E. (2018) Contemporary Library and Its Role in the Community. Revista Română de Biblioteconomie și Știința Informării [Romanian Journal of Library and Information Science], 14, 56-63. https://doi.org/10.26660/rrbsi.2018.14.2.56
Galla, A. and Paulo, D. (2016) Museumization. In: Jafari, J. and Xiao, H., Eds., Encyclopedia of Tourism, Springer International Publishing, 641-642. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01384-8_571
Sera-Shriar, E. (2023) From Museumization to Decolonization: Fostering Critical Dialogues in the History of Science with a Haida Eagle Mask. The British Journal for the History of Science, 56, 309-328. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007087423000043
Samuelyan, A. (2000) Museumization of Monuments as a Means of Protection, Planning and Management of Cultural Landscapes. https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=09000016806bdb9a
Kaddu, S. (2015) Collaboration in Digitising Cultural Heritage as a Strategy to Sustain Access and Sharing of Cultural Heritage Information in Uganda. https://ucudir.ucu.ac.ug/handle/20.500.11951/107
Xiao, W., Mills, J., Guidi, G., Rodríguez-Gonzálvez, P., Gonizzi Barsanti, S. and González-Aguilera, D. (2018) Geoinformatics for the Conservation and Promotion of Cultural Heritage in Support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. ISPRS Journal of Photo-grammetry and Remote Sensing, 142, 389-406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2018.01.001
Ayorekire, J., Obua, J. and Byaruhanga, M.B. (2019) Broadening Uganda’s Tourism Product Base through In-digenous Cultural Resource Utilisation. In: Mkono, M., Ed., Positive Tourism in Africa, Routledge, 79-90. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429428685-7
MoGLSD Uganda (2006) The Uganda National Culture Policy. A Culturally Vibrant, Cohesive and Progressive Nation. https://ocpa.irmo.hr/resources/policy/Uganda_Culture_Policy-en.pdf
Nakayi, R. and Witte, A. (2019) Making Cultural Heritage Claims on Profitable Land: The Case of the Ngassa Wells in Uganda’s Oil Region. Africa Spectrum, 54, 222-243. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002039720906247
Nsibambi, F. (2022) Safeguard-ing Uganda’s Cultural Heritage: An Inquiry into the Opportunities and Challenges Brought by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Advances in Sciences and Humanities, 8, 22-26. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ash.20220801.15
Nsibambi, F. (2018) Documenting and Presenting Contentious Narratives and Objects—Experiences from Museums in Uganda. Her-itage, 2, 27-33. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage2010002
Harding, P. (2023) Myths, Dreams and the Business of Spiritual Heritage in Uganda. Journal of African Cultural Heritage Studies, 3, 151-168. https://doi.org/10.22599/jachs.127
Ssenyonga, F.N. (2016) The Emerging Role of Community Museums in Uganda: The Need for Capacity Building among Managers. Museum International, 68, 125-129. https://doi.org/10.1111/muse.12096
CCFU (2018) Cultural Heritage Educa-tion in Ugandan Universities: An Overview with a Focus on Intangible Cultural Heritage. https://crossculturalfoundation.or.ug/docs/Cultural-Heritage-Education-in-Ugandan-Universities-Report-2018-1-min-1.pdf
Kafuuma, G., Muhwezi, E. and Ol-weny, M.R.O. (2019). Heritage Significance of Late 19th and Early 20th Century Buildings in the Buganda Kingdom, Uganda. WIT Transactions on the Built Envi-ronment, 191, 79-84. https://doi.org/10.2495/str190071
Nwofor, F.A. and Chikaodi, H.C.I. (2023) Public Libraries: Preservation and Documentation of Cul-tural Heritage Resources in Prof. Kenneth Dike State Central E-Library, Awka. In-ternational Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 7, 1427-1445. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2023.70813
Ogbu, K.N., Oche, N.A., Nwa-chukwu, V.N. and Batagarawa, S.A. (2020) Effective Management of Cultural Heritage Information Resources: A Comparison of Libraries and Museums in South East Nigeria. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/359664207.pdf
Chibuzor, L. and Ngozi, E. (2009) The Role of Public Libraries in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage in Nigeria: Challenges and Strategies. Journal of Applied Information Science and Technology, 3, 46-50.
Vassilakaki, E., Giannakopoulos, G. and Triantafyllou, I. (2019) The Role of Libraries in Managing Cultural Heritage In-formation. Bowker. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Evgenia-Vassilakaki/publication/332257627_The_role_of_libraries_in_managing_cultural_heritage_information/links/5ca9ee1da6fdcca26d04f017/The-role-of-libraries-in-managing-cultural-heritage-information.pdf
Aboyade, W.A. and Adeyemo, O.O. (2019) The Role of the Library in the Acquisition, Preservation, and Dissemination of Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Heritage in Nigeria. American Research Journal of Humanities & Social Science, 2, 39-44.
Ortega Alonso, D. and Parrilla González, J.A. (2021) Museumization of Olive Oil Mills: Instruments for Conservation of the Heritage of the Olive Grove Culture. Ge-Conservacion, 20, 173-183. https://doi.org/10.37558/gec.v20i1.1036
De Simone, M.C. (2015) Nubia and Nubians: The “Museumization” of a Culture. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing. https://scholarlypublications.universiteitleiden.nl/access/item%3A2933642/download
Ekwelem, V.O., Okafor, V.N. and Ukwoma, S.C. (2011) Preservation of Cultural Heritage: The Strategic Role of the Library and Information Science Professionals in South East Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1, Article 562.
