Department of Library and Information Science
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Browsing by Subject "Academic libraries"
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Item Assessing the appropriation of social media by academic librarians in South Africa and Zimbabwe(LIASA, 2016) Mabweazara, Rangarirai Moira; Zinn, SandyResearch into the appropriation of social media by academic libraries in countries with growing economies is scarce. There remains an empirical and theoretical gap in the literature about how librarians, particularly those in Southern Africa, are deploying social media in their work routines and in their personal lives. Based on one of the researchers' experiences at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Library and both researchers' use of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Library, the researchers aimed to examine the way librarians deploy and appropriate social media platforms as part of their service delivery. Using data derived from a questionnaire survey among librarians at UWC in South Africa and NUST in Zimbabwe, this study examined how librarians use social media for professional and personal purposes. The findings suggest that UWC librarians are more proficient social media users than NUST librarians. They further reveal that UWC librarians themselves are managing social media, while at NUST, the Information Technology department is directly responsible for managing the platforms. The study found that UWC Library utilises social media to promote its services more widely, whereas the NUST Library uses social media for reference services.Item Establishing a library portal for integrated e-resources at Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria(University of the Western Cape, 2018) Dauda, Joshua; King, LizetteThe study examined the availability of e-resources in the Ibrahim Babangida Library at Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola (MAUTECH) focusing to integrate e-resources in a dedicated portal for easy access. The study was motivated by the Nigerian vision 20:2020 and the trend in 21st century academic libraries to offer electronic resources and services to meet users? demands and use of technology. Mixed methods were sequential, concurrent, conversion and integrated approaches used. A descriptive case study approach was employed. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) theories framed the study. Based on these, a conceptual framework was constructed. To achieve triangulation, questionnaires, interviews and scanning of library portals were used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. Academics, students, academic librarians, and information and communication technology experts acted as participants. Findings reflected low use of the Ibrahim Babangida Library, dissatisfaction with the quality and quantity of the library collection, insufficient and unreliable Internet access on campus, limited information literacy education, familiarity and utilization of e-resources due to flexibility and easy access to academic information, need for digitisation of library resources and the need for a dedicated library portal. The study recommends, amongst others, information literacy education for students and academics, subscription to full-text databases, provision of sufficient and free Internet access, e-resource and e-services policies, and establishing a consortium with other Nigerian academic libraries. The outcome of the study was a designed, established and functioning library portal based on the input of all the stakeholders of the MAUTECH community.Item Information literacy of incoming undergraduate Arts students at the University of the Western Cape: assessment of competencies and proficiencies(University of the Western Cape, 2007) King, Lizette; Fredericks, G.H.; Dept. of Library and information Science; Faculty of ArtsThe majority of incoming undergraduate Arts students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) come from South African historically disadvantaged black schools. Because of enormous varying secondary school experiences and competencies as well as a lack of exposure to school and public libraries, students are deprived of the basic information skills. Without these crucial skills, students will find it difficult to cope successfully with their academic courses and measure up to the demands of employers. The study aimed to answer the following research questions: what are incoming Arts students' previous experiences with libraries and information technology? What are incoming undersgraduate Arts students information skills, competencies and proficiency? Is the Library Science 121 (Arts information Literacy) course sufficient for teaching information literacy and to address deficiencies? A pen and paper questionnaire based on the Information Literacy Standard by the American Library Association to assess the information literacy level of incoming Arts students was designed by the Department of Library and Information Science, the University Library and the Digital Academic Learning Division. This was utilized to assess the exposure to information literacy training at school level, computer and public library skills as well as their level of information literacy of incoming undergraduate Arts students. As a post-test, the questionnaire was completed by students after completing the information literacy course, Library Science 121. To determine the impact of formal training compared to initiatives within disciplines, the results of the post- and control tests were compared. Data was gathered over a period of three years. Of the 483 incoming Arts students 22.2% owned their own computers. Of the rest 39.5% had other means to get assess to computers. In total 16.5% of students used the World Wide Web to find information. Only 23.2% attended secondary schools with school libraries and 10.4% of these students received information literacy education. Of all the students, 20.7% were members of a public library of which 41.0% visited the library every few months mainly for photocopying. Of the thirty three questions asked to test information literacy, in only 7 the percentage of students in the pre- and control groups who have chosen the correct answer was higher than the incorrect options – indicating an unacceptable low level of information literacy. Students performed significantly better in the post-test. It is an indication that formal information literacy education is essential for incoming Arts students at the UWC. Results were used to identity deficiencies in information literacy levels, to produce benchmarks for assessing information literacy at the university and to produce a theoretical framework for structured cumulative information literacy initiatives within new envisaged foundation programs. Curricular changes to keep pace with current trends and needs were made. Data gathered will be used to communicate to the Arts Faculty the need for formal information literacy training for all incoming Arts students at the UWC and to incorporate information literacy in student learning outcomes as well as in the assessment policy.Item Information systems evaluation in Ghanaian academic libraries using DandM IS success model(University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2021) Ocloo, Patience Emefa Dzandza; King, LizetteThe use of Information Systems (ISs) has been widely accepted and proven to increase the service quality in many organizations. Academic libraries have embraced the use of ISs and have implemented them to perform different activities. The efficient utilization and management of ISs in libraries will help libraries to derive maximum benefit from adopted ISs. The researchers therefore used the DeLone and McLean IS success theory to determine the impact of IS management on the quality of the IS and the use of the IS.Item Initiating mobile phone technology using QR codes to access library services at the University of Cape Town(SAGE, 2013) Mohamed, ShehaamahThis article reports on an innovative project which grew out of the desire to facilitate access to information using the Quick Response (QR) Code. Easily read by mobile phones with cameras, the QR Code provides a simple but effective means for library patrons to access library resources. The article explores the need to use the QR Code in the Brand van Zyl Law Library, University of Cape Town (UCT), for accessing academic library services. Although relatively new in South Africa, QR Codes have been used successfully by some local educational institutions. Against this background, the article reports on a needs analysis which was conducted at the Brand Van Zyl Law Library and recommends the accelerating use of QR Codes in the academic environment.Item Job satisfaction in a South African academic library in transition(Elsevier, 2010) Hart, GenevieveJob satisfaction was investigated at a South African university library undergoing change on many fronts. The study included 31 members of staff and the data were gathered via interviews/questionnaires, informed by standard HRM job satisfaction theory. The study found a �love�hate� relationship between respondents and their work. The key positive finding is that 61% report overall job satisfaction�with the core work of an academic library, providing for the information needs of clients, the source. However, only 51% claim to be proud to work at their library and 50% are open to other job offers. Causes for the restlessness include a sense of stagnation, frustration with inadequate resources, and anger at poor remuneration.Item Re-constituting Ghanaian public university libraries to conform to universal design principles to accommodate students with disabilities(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Alu, Augustine Aduko; King, LizetteTen Ghanaian public university libraries were investigated to determine if they conform to universal design principles to accommodate students with disabilities. The study employed a multiple case study design and was underpinned by the Social Model of Disability and the International Federation of Libraries Associations and Institutions checklist for access to libraries for persons with disabilities. A mixed methods approach was adopted employing online questionnaires, and in-depth interviews to gather data from university librarians, heads of the physical development office, heads of disability units, and students with visual, mobile and hearing impairments. Data were further verified by observation and document analysis. Data were analysed thematically.Item Use and management of information systems in academic libraries in Ghana(University of the Western Cape, 2019) Dzandza, Patience Emefa; King, LizetteThe use of Information Systems (ISs) has been widely accepted and proven to increase the service quality in many organizations. Academic libraries have embraced the use of ISs and have implemented them to perform different activities. The efficient utilization and management of ISs in libraries will help libraries to derive maximum benefit from adopted ISs. The research used the DeLone and McLean (2003) IS success theory to determine the impact of IS management on the quality of the IS, the use of the IS and the benefits gained. The researcher used nine (30%) of the thirty university libraries which are members of the consortium of academic and research libraries in Ghana (CARLIGH) - an association of libraries that help with the IS and electronic resource use of member libraries. A mixed method approach with questionnaires, interviews combined with content analysis of the university websites was used to gather data. Findings indicated that academic libraries in Ghana are making use of some ISs including; ILS, DAM, social media, websites, among others, amidst a number of challenges. The research also revealed that the management of ISs affects the quality thereof. Quality of ISs affects use, and use affects the benefits gained from use. The researcher proposed an IS management standard guideline which Ghanaian academic libraries could adopt for using and managing ISs to enhance efficiency and better service delivery.