Browsing by Department "Library and Information Studies Centre (LISC)"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 203
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    Open Access
    A case study of digital readiness and technology adoption at a theological college in Cape Town, South Africa
    (2022) Majackie, Collin A; Shongwe, Mzwandile
    Technological innovations are rapidly transforming the way Higher Educational Institutions are delivering their core mission of teaching, learning and creative inquiry. A significant number of faculty are resistant to adopting new technologies. This study aims to explore the digital readiness and technology adoption of faculty and staff at a theological college and to understand the current digital practices and views of key stakeholders regarding the drivers and barriers of digital readiness and technology adoption. The research aims were met through an extensive literature review and the implementation of a practical research study. A qualitative case study, using semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders was carried out. The findings show that the concepts of digital literacy and digital readiness are often misunderstood. The main driver of technological adoption was COVID-19, while the main barriers were age and the digital divide. Management support was positive, but a clear vision and strategy for technology adoption was absent. The findings offer valuable insight into technological issues that affects HEIs, especially theological education. While findings cannot be generalised, they may be relatable and applicable to other disciplines. Recommendations for future research and practice are proposed for faculty and the college to consider.
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    Open Access
    A critical analysis of the participation of the University of Cape Town community in the advancement of open scholarship: towards a strategy for the promotion of open scholarship
    (2023) Nyahodza, Lena; Raju, Jaya
    Open scholarship (OS) plays a significant role in improving access to knowledge as it removes cost barriers and copyright restrictions related to published research. As part of the openness movement, OS, particularly open access (OA), emerged in scholarly communication to bring radical change in scientific publishing through making publicly funded research immediately available to the reader at no cost. The University of Cape Town (UCT) has embraced the openness philosophy through establishing OA and research data management policies and has declared in its mission statement the desire to share its resources, including research to support development on the African continent. The objective of this study was to critically analyse UCT community's participation in the advancement of open scholarship to develop a strategy for the promotion of OS. The study was informed by the transformative worldview and adopted two theories, critical theory and the capability approach (CA) framework. It used a convergent transformative mixed method approach and a case study design to explore the case of OS at UCT. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using an online questionnaire completed by 207 academics and researchers; interviews with 10 representatives of faculty research committees, with volunteer researchers from faculties and with six key informants; focus group and individual discussions with 30 Masters students, PhD students and post-doctoral fellows; and, through content analysis of 17 documents. Quantitative data were analysed using both Excel and Strata while qualitative data were analysed using NVivo. The study found low uptake across the three open scholarship components (open research, open educational resources and open data) that were covered in this study. There was evidence that UCT academics and researchers view open scholarship as critical in supporting human development and social justice, and that they are motivated by social justice imperatives to engage in open scholarship practices. The study found that while there was the provision of OS infrastructure by UCT, funding for article processing charges (APCs) (albeit inadequate), established OA and open data policies, academic promotion at UCT, however, aligns research impact assessment with traditional bibliometrics indicators such as high impact factor of journals, which influence researchers to embrace a closed publishing culture. Lack of inclusion of open scholarship achievements in promotion criteria and inadequate APCs funding have been identified as major contributing factors in academics and researchers' low participation in OS as a social good. Critical theory was useful for engaging a scholarly communication study within a dominant capitalist society characterised by the commodification of knowledge; and this was evident in this study as the cost barrier has become a hinderance in publishing and in accessing knowledge as some of UCT's knowledge was found behind paywalls. A capability approach framework guided academics and researchers to identify strategies they have adopted to participate in OS and to identify elements they regarded as essential for the development of a strategy to support open scholarship including infrastructure, funding and organisational support. Based on academics and researchers' views of essential elements to support open scholarship and what worked for academics and researchers at UCT, this study proposed a strategy to support OS that could be used as a pilot by universities with similar experiences to those of UCT. The study recommends motivation of researchers to participate more in green OA through the incentivising of green OA practice for universities that have funding challenges to support gold OA. It also recommends prioritisation of accredited African-based diamond and gold OA access journals and collaboration to raise funds to support gold OA. The challenges experienced by UCT academics and researchers may be common among their peers in Africa and other global south regions, and hence the study recommends piloting, with adjustments as required, of the proposed strategy for purposes of advancing open scholarship. This could ground African researchers at the forefront of research production in Africa, as the continent is still grappling with inequalities of apartheid and colonialism and therefore require access to knowledge to support human development.
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    Open Access
    A phenomenological study of experiences in blended librarianship among academic librarians in Zimbabwe with special reference to selected higher education institutions
    (2018) Dabengwa, Israel Mbekezeli; Raju, Jayarani; Matingwina, Thomas
    This exploratory phenomenological study served the purpose of investigating the phenomenon of the Zimbabwean academic librarian whose professional identity has been evolving into Bell and Shank's (2007) blended librarianship over the past decade. The primary objective of this study was to explore the shared experiences of blended librarianship to find out how effectively Zimbabwean academic librarians adhere to their dynamic roles and functions, and how they are perceived in the university. To achieve the primary goal, the study was framed using the theoretical constructs from Lave and Wenger's (1991) Legitimate Peripheral Participation (LPP) and Communities of Practice (CoP), to understand how academic librarians learnt in the workplace through involvement in authentic work tasks. The research methodology relied on Heidegger’s Interpretive Phenomenology Analysis and the philosophy of interpretivism. The researcher looked for the academic librarian’s experiences of blended librarianship and then made sense of the academic librarian’s interpretation, to draw out a common meaning of blended librarianship. The researcher collected data from a calculated sample of 101 academic librarians from non-professional roles to Library Board level. Data collected was triangulated using multiple methods of data collection that included a semi-structured questionnaire, document research and semi-structured interviews. Data was collected from academic librarians from the Bindura State University of Education, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Lupane State University, Midlands State University, the National University of Science and Technology, and PHSBL80 University which was anonymised. Though blended librarianship had been adopted in different academic libraries through various ways that account for the sociocultural and historical issues in each academic library, it can be concluded that blended librarianship may bridge the theory-practice divide. The study recommends academic libraries to move towards integrating the teaching of Information Literacy Skills (ILS) and Low Threshold Technologies Applications (LTAs) into the courses that are taught by lecturers. This is set to place academic librarians within the context of their community, where they can contribute “legitimately” as equals, rather than working at the periphery of the classroom where they have a subservient role as seen in the study.
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    Open Access
    A plan for improving The City Of Cape Town Corporate Intranet by applying knowledge sharing Insights
    (2023) Evans, Herbert; Higgs, Richard
    Corporate intranets are an essential technology used by organisations to manage their digital information resources. An effective intranet service must balance the resource requirements of its users with the restrictions of the corporate network as well as coordinate an effective digital information storage and retrieval service. In addition, intranets typically also provide an internal communication channel and serve as a key vehicle for the corporate culture of the organisation. The City of Cape Town municipality's existing intranet platform is in the process of being migrated to more modern technology, allowing for the redevelopment of key functions including the underlying information architecture, associated site navigation elements, search and site metadata, inter alia. As a member of the intranet's custodian department, the researcher is well positioned to conduct a study of the existing intranet service offering, and to offer an assessment of improvements needed to meet the needs of the modern digital workplace. The research study examines the role of the corporate intranet as a Knowledge Management (KM) tool, with a focus on iterative improvement by the application of an action research approach. Key areas that are examined include the performance, configuration and management of the network infrastructure; site content management; intranet site structure and design; site navigation; site search and search results performance; the application of site governance and usage policies; the expression of corporate culture through the intranet service; the role of the intranet as a collaboration platform; and the requirements of the modern digital workplace in respect of key services including information retrieval and collaborative tools. The study's primary research data is drawn from interviews with key users of the corporate intranet via snowball sampling. The resultant qualitative data is interpreted and compared with insights from the KM literature and the researcher's own institutional knowledge, and areas of improvement are identified. The findings are to be presented to the intranet redevelopment team, and will contribute to improving the CCT corporate intranet service. The study also makes a contribution to existing research in the field of KM, Action Research case literature and intranet design theory.
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    Open Access
    A readiness assessment survey of the adoption of transformational leadership for South African academic libraries in the Gauteng Province
    (2020) Kunene, Nokuphiwa Glenrose; Mapulanga, Patrick
    The study assessed the readiness of the adoption of transformational leadership for South African academic libraries in the Gauteng province. Available literature shows no evidence that assessment has been conducted by academic libraries before the adoption of this leadership style. Academic libraries nationally and internationally are faced with generic challenges like evolutionary technological changes, reduced budget allocations, leadership challenges, and human resources challenges. They are pressured to prove their value to the university due to changing user needs and most academic libraries are faced with a challenge of having to continuously redefine themselves to survive the changing environment. Academic libraries are constantly challenged and must ensure that they have strong leadership that is equipped to face and deal with never-ending challenges. The study surveyed the leadership of the academic libraries in Gauteng. It mainly adopted a descriptive research design. The survey took an exploratory approach to get quality information. The study used a transformative theoretical framework because of its immediate applicability and its focus on the tensions that arise due to unequal power relations. The study is primarily a quantitative study with some qualitative elements as a follow-up to the issues raised in the questionnaire. Quantitative data were analysed with the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS v25) statistical tool, and descriptive data were coded by assigning labels to codes and using Atlas.ti 8. The study results found that history, politics, and different dynamics related to academic universities influence the leadership style adopted at academic libraries. Several leadership characteristics influence and guide the leadership preference of academic libraries. Two academic libraries indicated that they adopted a participative and transformational leadership style. The libraries have clearly-defined communication channels between the management and staff. However, the creativity and innovation of the staff were affected by other issues. The results also showed that academic libraries must focus more on empowerment, skills development, delegating, and mentoring of their staff to prepare staff for managerial and leadership positions.
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    Open Access
    Academic librarian's transition to blended librarianship: a phenomenology of selected academic librarians in Zimbabwe
    (2019-05-13) Dabengwa, Israel Mbekezeli; Raju, Jaya; Matingwina, Thomas
    This paper explores the shared experiences of practices of blended librarianship among Zimbabwean academic librarians to identify how adequately they comply with their dynamic roles and functions. The paper relies on the theoretical constructs from Bell and Shank's (2004, 2007) blended librarianship and Lave and Wenger's (1991) Legitimate Peripheral Participation (LPP) to understand how Zimbabwean academic librarians practice blended librarianship in the workplace through engagement in legitimate work tasks. The investigators used phenomenology to explore academic librarians' experiences of blended librarianship. They selected a sample of 101 academic librarians and delivered a semi-structured questionnaire to the sample, conducted document research and interviewed key informants from the sample. The researchers collected data from the Bindura University of Science Education, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Lupane State University, Midlands State University, the National University of Science and Technology, and PHSBL80 Library which chose to be undisclosed. Each institution adopted blended librarianship in its way. Four (4) different categories of blended librarianship emerged from the experiences; that is “transcending blended librarians”, “partially blended librarians”, “intermittent blended librarians” and “aspiring blended librarians”, displaying each institution's level of instructional technology and instructional design roles. The study proposes that the “Academic librarian's transition to blended librarianship” two-by-two matrix that developed was in this inquiry needs further refinement. Further enquiries may test the matrix within the same sites or other locales altogether to corroborate if the results are replicable.
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    Open Access
    Access barriers : an investigation into the availability and accessibility of high-demand materials in the Short Loan Centre of an academic library
    (1996) Leibbrandt, Shirley; De Jager, Karin
    Academic libraries in South Africa are facing the challenge of tighter budgets, increasing student enrolments, greater diversity in students' backgrounds and library experience, and a call for greater accountability to all the stakeholders. The effectiveness of a library service can be measured in terms of the availability and accessibility of library materials, two attributes of a library's document delivery capability. This study focused on the availability of prescribed materials for undergraduate students in an academic library. It involved a micro-evaluation of the immediate materials availability rate in a short loan collection, by using a combination of a quantitative simulation study, and a qualitative user survey. Generally, the availability rates determined were high, which suggests a high degree of collection adequacy. However, the user study confirmed that many SLC users experienced difficulties in using the system, indicating a need for continuous user education programmes and constant dialogue between the staff and the users concerning future service improvements. The study indicated that overall materials availability rates can be misleading if accepted at face value. A introspective analysis of the reasons for the non-availability of high-demand materials revealed hidden access barriers such as poor information retrieval skills on the part of the users and certain inefficient organisational procedures on the part of the library. The study reiterates the fundamental importance of constructive communication between the various stakeholders in meeting the educational goals of the institution and the necessity of regular library performance evaluation to ensure a dynamic, proactive service. The coexistence of print-based and electronic resources in the forseeable future underscores the importance of convenience and accessibility factors in making required documents available to the users.
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    Open Access
    Adapting the model for information literacy and cultural heritage in Cape Town: investigating user attitudes and preceptions in libraries, museums and archives
    (2015) Baker, Kim; Nassimbeni, Mary
    Adapting the Model for Information Literacy and Cultural Heritage in Cape Town: investigating user attitudes and perceptions in libraries, museums and archives, by Kim Baker, investigates the attitudes and perceptions of general public adult users of the City of Cape Town public libraries, Iziko Museums of South Africa, and the Western Cape Archives and Records Service in Cape Town towards cultural heritage, information literacy and learning in order to adapt the Model for Information Literacy and Cultural Heritage for Lifelong Learning to the Cape Town context. A generic Model for international use was developed for the book. In formation Literacy and Cultural Heritage: Developing a model for lifelong learning . (Baker, 2013). The adapt at ion of the generic model is a necessary preliminary step before designing courses to teach information literacy and cultural heritage to the general public in a given local context and in an integrated manner, with public libraries, museums and archives collaborating and co - operating to provide the training together. The investigation was conducted by means of survey questionnaires, which applied within-method triangulation of quantitative and qualitative questions, and a combination of Yes/No answers, Likert scale questions and multiple-choice questions. The survey questionnaires included the demographic categories of race, gender, age group, home language, level of education, religion and employment status in order to gain an understanding of the demographic profiles of users necessary to the application of training in cultural heritage to different cultural groups. Questions were grouped into sections, with Section A asking questions pertaining to understandings of cultural heritage, Section B investigating whether users had access to the Internet at home, and if so, how much bandwidth was available to them; Section C explored information seeking and evaluation (information literacy) patterns, and Section D explored learning behaviours and preferences. Section E explored whether users of the public libraries also used museums and archives, why or why not; whether users of the museums used public libraries and archives, and why or why not, and whether users of the Archives used public libraries, and why or why not. At the public libraries, 480 respondents across the branches of Central Library; Athlone; Milnerton; Moses Mahbida; Grassy Park; Bellville; Harare; Somerset West; Brackenfell and Town Centre, Mitchell’s Plain, completed the questionnaires. At Iziko Museums, 220 respondents across the sites of the South African Museum, and the Slave Lodge completed questionnaires. At the Archives , which has only one site, 25 respondents completed the questionnaires. The surveying was conducted using the convenience sampling method. The data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010, by means of non-parametric, descriptive statistics and presented in graphic format. Following the interpretation of the results, and as a result of this study, recommendations were made for the adapt at ion of the Model of Information Literacy and Cultural Heritage for Lifelong Learning to apply to the context of Cape Town.
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    Open Access
    Adolescents as public library users
    (2000) Shaw, Anita Janis; Nassimbeni, Mary
    The primary objectives and scope of this research are to examine the library usage behaviour of adolescents, specifically those attending a high school in Grassy Park and those using Grassy Park Library. A central aspect of this research was to identify the types of library needs (curricular and non-curricular) that these two groups might have and how they went about to satisfy these needs. Their library usage patterns and reading behaviour were also investigated.
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    Open Access
    Adopting research data management (RDM) practices at the University of Namibia (UNAM): a view from researchers
    (2019) Samupwa, Astridah Njala; Kahn, Michelle
    This study investigated the extent of Research Data Management (RDM) adoption at the University of Namibia (UNAM), viewing it from the researcher’s perspective. The objectives of the study were to investigate the extent to which RDM has been adopted as part of the research process at UNAM, to identify challenges encountered by researchers attempting to practice RDM and to provide solutions to some of the challenges identified. Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory was adopted for the study to place UNAM within an innovation-decision process stage. The study took a quantitative approach of which a survey was used. A stratified sample was drawn from a list of all 948 faculty members (the number of academics taken from the UNAM annual report of 2016). The Raosoft sample size calculator (Raosoft, 2004) states that 274 is the minimum recommended sample size necessary for a 5% margin of error and a 95% confidence level from a population of 948, and this was the intended sample size. A questionnaire administered via an online web-based software tool, SurveyMonkey, was used. A series of questions was asked to individuals to obtain statistically useful information on the topic under study. The paid version of SurveyMonkey was used for analysis while graphics and tables were created in Microsoft Excel. The results of the study showed that for the group that responded to the survey, the extent to which they have adopted RDM practices is still very low. Although individuals were found to be managing their research data, this was done out of their own free will; this is to say that there was no policy mandating and guiding their practices. The researcher placed most of the groups that responded to the survey at the first stage of the innovation-decision process, which is the information stage. However, librarians who responded to the survey were found to be more advanced as they were seen to be aware of and engaged in knowledge acquisition regarding RDM practices. Thus, the researcher placed them at the second stage in the innovation-decision process (Persuasion). Recommendations for the study are based on the analysed data. It is recommended, among others, that UNAM should give directives in the form of policies to enhance the adoption of RDM practices and this should be communicated to the entire UNAM community to create awareness regarding the concept of RDM.
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    Open Access
    Adult education in South African public libraries: A profile of activities
    (2006) Nassimbeni, Mary; May, Bev
    This paper reports on the findings of a research investigation into the role of South African public libraries in adult education3. A questionnaire was distributed to 1295 public libraries for the collection of statistical and qualitative information in an attempt to build national and provincial profiles of adult education activities. There was a good response rate of 45.5%. The survey was complemented by site visits to eleven public libraries in order to illuminate the issues facing libraries in this field The results show that most public libraries do not participate at all in any adult education initiatives: 76.9% do not participate while 23.1% do. A profile of activities is presented. A case study of a single anonymous library is presented to provide an opportunity to understand the lived experience of the activities from the perspective of the providers and of the learners. The paper concludes by speculating on the reasons for the low level of engagement in an area that is theoretically espoused by the library community.
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    Open Access
    Adult education in two publica libraries in Cape Town: a case study
    (2008) Nassimbeni, Mary; Tandwa, Nobubele
    This paper reports the findings of research (Tandwa 2007) into adult literacy programmes offered by two public libraries in Cape Town with a focus on their use of literacy materials. The study is a contribution to the documenting and analysis of the public library's role in the struggle against illiteracy, a serious socio-economic problem in South Africa. Using the case study approach the researcher made an in-depth study of the programme offerings from the perspective of the adult learners, and tried to establish how and whether they made use of literacy materials, since their availability is so important in literacy instruction and the development of a reading habit. The paper describes the programmes and the cohorts of learners and their expectations, and analyses the availability and role of reading materials in the learners' lives. It concludes by identifying the factors required for the successful implementation of a literacy programme in a public library.
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    Open Access
    Alternative models of information provision with special reference to the International Research and Information Group and the Education Resource and Information Project
    (1995) Karelse, Cathy-Mae; Nassimbeni, Mary
    This study examines the contribution made by two alternative service or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to the provision and delivery of information in South Africa. A brief analysis of the role of information in impacting on and/or reproducing social formations is undertaken to provide an understanding of the way in which information has been used in the South African context to repress transformation of the apartheid state. This discussion frames an investigation into ways in which NGOs have attempted to counter information control on the part of the apartheid regime by mediating information to their constituencies. The relationship between information, education and development is addressed, providing insight into the educational role which service organisations play in delivering an information service on the one hand, the information role they perform in providing an education service on the other, and the developmental role they assume in both instances. Particular attention is paid to the way in which these services relate to their users in the process of imparting information to them. In this regard the interface between NGOs and their users is investigated and the very nature of this interaction assessed.
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    Open Access
    An assessment of the eResearch Knowledge Centre's support practices in the Human Sciences Research Council in Pretoria, South Africa
    (2022) Baudin, Johanna Maria; Mapulanga, Patrick
    The purpose of this study was to determine whether the eResearch Knowledge Centre's (eRKC) research support services are in line with the needs of Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) researchers. It was also intended to identify gaps in services that could be filled by additional services. The pragmatic research paradigm was used to guide the conduct of this study. This paradigm refers to a worldview that prioritizes what works in practice over what is absolutely and objectively true or real. The Research Lifecycle Model was chosen as a theoretical framework for this study because of its foundation in this paradigm. To collect data, a multi-methods cross-sectional descriptive design was used, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods. The two methods were used concurrently. A questionnaire was distributed to 156 members of the HSRC research staff in order to collect quantitative data. Interviews were conducted with nine eRKC staff members who were part of the sample to collect qualitative data. A Likert scale was used to determine whether a participant agreed or disagreed with the statements. The quantitative data analysis was done using SPSS, while the interview data were analysed using Excel. Both the quantitative and qualitative data were aligned with the six phases of the research life cycle. The findings demonstrated the effective targeting of current eRKC research support services to specific phases of the research life cycle model. The needs of HSRC researchers could be determined in each phase using this model. According to the study findings, the current eRKC research support services are aligned with the needs of HSRC researchers and highlighted services that could be expanded or promoted more effectively to HSRC researchers. It proposes a new service, data analysis, and suggests that the eRKC could play a more prominent role in research impact, research data management, and fostering collaboration with HSRC research divisions.
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    Open Access
    An evaluation of the information architecture of the UCT Library web site
    (2008) Mvungi, Susan Haikaeli; De Jager, Karin; Underwood, Peter
    Web users are becoming more critical of the web sites they use. This dissertation evaluates the information architecture of the academic library web site at the University of Cape Town. The evaluation of the information architecture of an academic library web site is important because the web site functions as an international gateway to the institution's valuable library resources. A library may therefore be judged on the basis of its web site. It is no wonder that a lot of effort is put into ensuring a well-designed web site. A multi-approach evaluation was completed to evaluate the library web site. Firstly, a formal usability test was conducted with five users to establish the required site structure and to identify any possible problems with the usability of the site. Secondly, a heuristic evaluation with an expert was conducted to test the web site content, information architecture, and navigation design. Thirdly, a closed card sort analysis with ten participants was completed in order to establish the required site structure and terminology for the potential web site re-design. Fourthly, a comparative analysis of the previous versions of the university library web site was done to highlight the main differences and improvements. Reviewing "prior-art'1/previous versions of any web site guarantees the development of an improved information architecture. In addition to the aforementioned evaluation techniques, the study recommended the use of a requirements document that was developed for the purposes of this study that details a set of standard guidelines for the academic library site maintenance. In an attempt to improve the navigation problems identified on the library web site, a site map was developed for the web site as well. 11l This research found that the library web site had an overall usable web site with users rating their satisfaction with the site between good and very good. The site however exhibited a few problems with the terminology used, there were also problems identified with the navigation design. Issues relating to identifying specific information were also identified. This dissertation presents recommendations to handle the aforementioned problems. The study also encourages continual web site evaluation.
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    Open Access
    An exploration of the current status of information literacy tuition in South African tertiary institutions and proposals for curriculum design
    (2003) De Jager, Karin; Nassimbeni, Mary
    An investigation was launched at the University of Cape Town (UCT) with the aim of determining measurable competencies in students' information literacy at tertiary level educational institutions. It is increasingly clear that students need both technological skills and information competencies in order to access and employ a wide range of electronic and other information resources. As courses are being developed to inculcate these competencies, it is imperative to generate and incorporate a rationally justified system of standards and benchmarks according to which the outcomes and impact of such interventions may be measured and evaluated in order to ensure continuous improvement. Members of staff at the Centre for Information Literacy at UCT are working towards the establishment of such standards and intend making them available to the information community throughout southern Africa in order that best practice may be shared by all. This paper specifically reports on two exploratory surveys in which firstly, responses were received from ten different information literacy providers from a number that had been identified at the 2001 LIASA conference, and a follow-up survey at the 2002 LIASA conference. It concludes with a suggested approach to obtaining consensus on preliminary standards for information literacy among South African students and a process of evaluation.
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    An investigation into the knowledge management practices and challenges in an international non-governmental network of organisations : a case study of One World International
    (2007) Lumba, Patricia Mweene Haamujompa; Smith, Gretchen
    Knowledge management will support activities that improve the performance of organizations and organization networks due to the known benefits of collaborating. Although knowledge management is deemed to be vital for organizations, no uniform model of practice exists for any organization. This condition can also be ascribed to the scarcity of information on Knowledge management practices, experiences, role models and general concerns. Concerns of the critical role knowledge management can play in NGOs, including NGO networks; due to their complex structures have often been addressed. These concerns include among others the priority given to external action and the client versus internal administration work and results analysis; structural high turnover among staff, volunteers and donors; the lightness of the permanent structure and the performance of field activities in a situation and climate of emergency and orllack of funds, and/or in stressed or disorganized environments. This report is based on the outcomes of a study that explored the knowledge management practices and challenges in an international NGO network; OneWorld International (OWl). The investigation constituted comparative case studies of two centres (one in Zambia and the other in the Netherlands) belonging to a single international network. An empirically grpunded framework of knowledge management practices based on the taxonomy proposed by Holsapple and Joshi was utilised as the reference framework for the study. The framework provided guidelines to characterize factors that influence organizational knowledge management; knowledge manipulation activities (processes) and organizational knowledge resources. The study uses two approaches: qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative approach, which was used in the preliminaiy stage of the data collection exercise, provided an in-depth interpretation by means of open-ended interviewing of the knowledge management issues that needed to be grasped. The qualitative approach was complemented by a quantitative approach using a Likert scale based on attitude statements. The attitude statements were developed from the responses obtained during the open interviews. The quantitative approach also provided the means to make comparisons between the centres and provided the results of opinions, beliefs and attitudes of the respondent's knowledge management perceptions. The results of the empirical study confirm that a variety of factors affect knowledge management behaviours in NGO networks. These factors include managerial and internal controls such as management styles and incentives for knowledge creation and sharing; resource influences; and environbental influences relating to an organization's culture and the needs of partner organizations. The study highlights important variation in diversity, gaps and perceptions in managing knowledge between centres in the network that are based in Europe and Africa. This is despite significant commonality in knowledge management processes and infrastructures. The results further show that institutionalisation of knowledge management practices within a network seem to enable or constrain knowledge management at centre and network level. Recommendations are proposed to improve knowledge management practices at local and international level and include enhanced technical and advisory services at international level; capacity building; creating greater awareness of knowledge management; decentralization of knowledge management processes; implementation of a knowledge management strategy at network level and improving relationships between centres. The research concludes that networked NGOs and specifically OWl could operate more efficiently and incrementally enhance service provision by leveraging their knowledge resources more effectively. It is in this light that knowledge management practices should be examined in NGOs and particularly networks with their complex structures and attendant reoccurring and unavoidable problems.
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    Open Access
    An Investigation of the Inclusion of Decoloniality in the Objectives of the National Library of South Africa s (NLSA s) Digitisation Programme
    (2024) Ngcobo, Mhlengi; Higgs, Richard
    Decoloniality is a critical issue in South Africa, necessitating action in universities, learning curricula, libraries, and archives, and should not be confused with transformation. In this study, the researcher investigates the inclusion of decoloniality in the objectives of the National Library of South Africa's digitisation programme. A preliminary review of digitisation documents in the National Library of South Africa (NLSA) showed that decoloniality is never explicitly mentioned. The study employed a sequential mixed method, collecting data through documents, questionnaires, and focus group discussions, employing a data triangulation design for flexibility, and evaluating relevant literature and respondents' comments. Participants in this study were comprised of NLSA employees who participated in the digitisation project. This study used a census of 15 library professionals chosen for their ability to provide the most information on the subject. This study confirms that decoloniality is not explicitly mentioned in the NLSA's digitisation documents. The NLSA's digitisation policy is devoid of decolonial strategy plans. According to the findings, research participants did not have a clear understanding of the concept of decoloniality as it relates to the NLSA's digitisation programme. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the NLSA is doing nothing to address decoloniality specifically. The study also revealed challenges related to a lack of funding for digitisation projects, such as a lack of human resources. The findings could not be extrapolated to other South African libraries because this study was limited to the NLSA, and had a small sample size. However, this study's results could be useful to other libraries in the country. The researcher recommends that similar studies for other South African libraries be conducted.
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    Open Access
    Analysis of information literacy training at the National University of Lesotho
    (2018) Lefalatsa, Limakatso; Bitso, Connie
    Information literacy skills are a necessity among university students, hence information literacy instructors should keep abreast with the 21st century information literacy curriculum, its delivery and assessment. The study investigated information literacy training and its needs at NUL. The purpose was to investigate information literacy curriculum, delivery and assessment at the National University of Lesotho. Guided by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) information literacy framework for higher education, the study sought to establish the extent to which the NUL information literacy programme considers ACRL frames or any other standard of relevance. The study adopted a qualitative approach using a phenomenology research design. Data was collected from NUL Subject Librarians through focus group discussions and one on one interview with the Lecturers. Data was generated from structured interview questions; analysed manually and presented in an interpretative form such that participants’ responses were tabulated under subheadings corresponding to the items from the research instruments that were formulated from the research questions. Major findings are that there is no information literacy programme in place hence there is no specific curriculum at NUL, as a result there is also no benchmarking. NUL Subject Librarians take initiative to improvise information literacy content; they use lecture mode and library tours as their predominant mode of information literacy teaching and learning. Although there is a Communication Skills Course meant to assist students with information and communication skills, students struggle to search for information; they are even unable to consult a variety of information sources. The study therefore recommends NUL Library to establish a clear information literacy training programme that is delivered in collaboration with academic staff. It is further recommended that Subject Librarians should contribute to the content of the Communication Skills Course.
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    Open Access
    An analysis of school library use in Government Aided Community Junior Secondary Schools in Gaborone city and the Southern district in Botswana
    (2002) Sehuhula-Mooketsi, Bojelo; De Jager, Karin
    School libraries can have a significant impact on students' academic performance and the quality of learning. This thesis explores the factors surrounding school library use or non-use of school libraries in Government Aided Community Junior Secondary Schools (GACJSS) in Botswana. Background information pertaining to the quality of teaching and learning in GACJSS in Botswana is provided, highlighting policy statements towards the improvement of the quality of learning.