Training on Research4Life, Advanced Koha, and DSpace

A comprehensive training programme focusing on Research4Life, Advanced Koha, and DSpace was conducted for 18 librarians and library assistants from the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) and private colleges. The training was held at the College of Science and Technology from March 11th to 15th, 2024, and was facilitated by four experienced trainers, including two from the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, one from the College of Natural Resources, and one from the College of Science and Technology. The main aim of the training was to enhance participants’ proficiency in effectively utilizing Research4Life programs, acquaint them with literature search and review tools, delve into the advanced functionalities of Koha and DSpace, facilitate customization based on library-specific needs, and provide troubleshooting capabilities.

The training contents encompassed a diverse range of topics, such as Research4Life usage assessment, experiences sharing, marketing strategies, unified content portals, summon search, databases, SAML publishers, content gap analysis, installation of Virtual Box and Koha, system administration configuration, HTML and CSS basics, and OPAC customization. The training methodology integrated multiple components, including lecture sessions, interactive discussions, group activities, feedback and reflection sessions, hands-on practice, and comprehensive demonstrations. This methodology was designed to provide a dynamic and immersive learning experience for participants.

Feedback gathered from participants revealed that the training content was highly informative and relevant, and the interactive nature of the sessions facilitated a deeper comprehension of Research4Life, Advanced Koha, and DSpace features. Participants expressed confidence in applying their acquired knowledge and skills in their professional roles, anticipating a positive impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of their institutions’ utilization of scholarly resources and library management systems. Furthermore, participants conveyed a desire for future training opportunities to stay updated with the latest developments in Research4Life, Koha, and DSpace, thereby enhancing their self-efficacy and efficiency in the workplace.