Department of Library and Information Science

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Browsing by Subject "Academic librarians"

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    Digital literacy skills of librarians in the 21st century: A case study of the University of the Western Cape
    (University of the Western Cape, 2024) Xwayi, Nontobeko Angeline; Mabweazara, Rangarirai Moira
    Digital literacy (DL) has become a critical skill in the 21st century. The proliferation of information communication technology (ICT) in academic libraries has resulted in migration from print to digital library collections, instant communication, virtual spaces, and high-speed information access and retrieval. This has also resulted in emerging technologies that support the demands of the 21st century. The new technologies come with certain digital skills that librarians must learn to remain relevant and to continue playing a supportive role in teaching and learning. The purpose of this study was to investigate the DL skills possessed by academic librarians at the University of the Western Cape; how librarians use digital technology for service delivery; the acquisition of the skills and challenges often experienced when improving on their DL skills. The study used Rogers' theory to highlight how librarians choose to adopt technology, focusing on innovation characteristics. Data was analysed through adopter categories and the innovation decision process. A case study design was used, and a mixed methods approach employed. Web-based questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were deployed to collect data. Analysis was done through Microsoft Excel for survey and thematic analysis for interviews.
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    E-book usage amongst academic librarians in South Africa
    (Library & Information Association of South Africa, 2011) Zinn, Sandy; Langdown, Natasha
    The purpose of this study completed in 2010 was to investigate the use of e-books amongst academic librarians; in particular which e-books are available to academic librarians, why they choose this format, what impact e-books have on librarians� professional practice and what the usage patterns of e-books are amongst academic librarians. A web-based questionnaire was distributed on the LIASA mailing list. The results reflect a more gradual trend towards e-book adoption. There is still a preference for print or a �bit of both� � print and electronic. This is because of the high costs of e-books using the subscription model as the predominant e-book acquisition model and the lack of sufficient e-books in all subject fields. E-books are used for �browsing for information� and are selected for functionalities such as having the ability to search the document, anytime access and automatic citation. Major problems identified with e-books are: the cost of the equipment to read e-book formats; the cost of the e-books, especially if the subscription purchasing model is used; the lack of reliability of the Internet; and the lack of training in the use of e-books.
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    Extending boundaries: Team teaching to embed information literacy in a university module
    (UNISA, 2020) Bharuthram, Sharita; Mohamed, Shehaamah; Louw, Gerald
    In today�s knowledge-based economy, the role of universities in preparing students to be information literate and independent thinkers and researchers is crucial. Information literacy (IL) skills enable students to become researchoriented, hold critical approaches to knowledge, be critical thinkers, consider things from different perspectives, develop their own ideas and defend and share these in an ethical manner. University students are often expected to access, process, evaluate and synthesise information from a number of sources in order to complete their assessment tasks. To do this efficiently, they need to possess good IL skills. This article postulates that students� IL skills can be successfully fostered and enhanced if academics and academic librarians enter into a partnership to collaboratively develop students� IL skills. The article discusses an intervention at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa that entailed embedding IL skills in an academic literacies (AL) course offered to first-year students in the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences.