Leveraging Human Resource Practices to Retain Librarians' Knowledge in Selected Public University Libraries in Uganda

This study explored the role of human resource (HR) practices in retaining librarians' knowledge within Uganda's public university libraries. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach with an exploratory sequential design, the research examined selected libraries through qualitative interviews with university librarians. These interviews informed a questionnaire administered to 67 professional librarians to gather quantitative data. Findings revealed that while HR practices are essential for mitigating knowledge loss and supporting retention, challenges such as rigid public service guidelines, and underutilized succession planning hinder their effectiveness. Additionally, the lack of a formal knowledge retention strategy further limits these practices. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for formalized knowledge retention strategies that integrate HR practices to enhance knowledge management and address identified gaps from recruitment to retention, aligning with previous research on talent management and staff development in library settings.