Browsing by Subject "Library and Information Science"
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- ItemOpen AccessA bibliotherapeutic investigation among standard 4 pupils with special reference to the criterion of self-esteem(1980) Van Wyk, Jerome Alexander; Kesting, J G; Kesting, J G
- ItemOpen AccessAttitudes towards the library and information profession among practising librarians and information workers in the Western Cape(1986) Ivey, Dorothy Lyle; Kesting, J GAn investigation was undertaken into the attitudes held by library/information workers towards their profession because it was considered that the strength of these attitudes may affect not only the self-concept and work performance of individuals, but also the quality and dimensions of the support received by the profession from society. The study was conducted in two parts: the literature survey and the empirical investigation. The empirical investigation was limited geographically to the Western Cape region of South Africa.
- ItemOpen AccessConsiderations requiring investigation in the allocation of funds for library materials at the University of Cape Town(1979) Eave, Rosemary Antoinette Bazett; Kesting, J GWith very few exceptions, all libraries, be they national, university, provincial, municipal or special, are funded to a greater or lesser degree by public money. Thus as Malan says, this subsidy presupposes that their services and stock should be used in the public interest. (Malan, 1978:83). In the case of South African university libraries, which constitutes the province of this study, the parent institution currently receives a subsidy according to the provisions laid down in the van Wyk de Vries Commission's recommendations. (de Vries, 1974). Included in this subsidy are formulae designed specifically to enable the university library to operate, i.e. allowances are made both for personnel and for the acquisition of library materials. It is in this latter connection that the present inves- tigation has been made, viz. the allocation of funds received from the State via the university administration to the teaching and research units to enable them to fulfil their basic function.
- ItemOpen AccessThe development of information literacy at the University of Cape Town(2008) Nkangana, Nqabisa T; Underwood, Peter GThe origins and development of information literacy education at the University of Cape Town are explored. The focal research question is based on investigations into the extent in which the academic staff, librarians and students of the University of Cape Town (UCT) are prepared for or engaged in recognizing information literacy. Are the academic staff, librarians and students of UCT really aware of the information literacy agenda? Quantitative research methods are used to supplement qualitative research methods in this study. Samples were drawn from 621 academics, 64 librarians, and 19978 students - the total numbers of subjects of the study in 2003 when the fieldwork was conducted. The significant changes in the South African education system in the postapartheid era are discussed. International information literacy programs are discussed and the Griffith University information literacy blueprint is adopted as a standard for comparison. Further studies are suggested on the investigation of information literacy policies. The research results suggest that a high standard of information literacy exists at the University of Cape Town.
- ItemOpen AccessAn evaluation of electronic services offered to Master's students by the University of the Western Cape academic library as an effort to bridge the digital divide(2016) Nyahodza, Lena; Higgs, RichardAcademic libraries are challenged to meet the demands of patrons as expectations shift towards remote access to library services. In Africa, such challenges are exacerbated by the legacy of the digital divide. In this post-apartheid period South Africa has acknowledged the presence of a multifaceted digital divide, and that the inequalities established in the past have not yet been resolved. Therefore, academic libraries could be of great value in playing emancipatory roles through the provision of technologies and other resources that enable access to information by marginalised communities. The aim of the study is to evaluate the electronic services provided by UWC academic library to Master's Students and determine if efforts made to bridge the digital divide are perceived by users as effective, through investigating use of internet-connected infrastructure, skills development programmes established to promote adequate use of the e-services, and identification of challenges experienced by users as they interact with e-services. The study employed a qualitative research method, grounded in phenomenological design and supported by Critical Theory. Data was collected from two samples drawn using purposive sampling from the target population of Master's students and librarians. Data collection from students was facilitated through an online survey and six librarians were interviewed. Main themes that guided the dialogue during data collection emanated from reviewed literature. The study concludes that UWC library has emerged as a competent agent of democracy, having implemented several projects to support marginalised academic students in accessing information. The library has provided ICTs, bandwidth and skills development programmes to support students. However, the challenges encountered are diverse, and income imbalances among communities still prevail, indicating that projects and programmes established by university libraries to bridge the divide need to be ongoing and sustainable since the phenomenon cannot be exterminated.
- ItemOpen AccessAn evaluation of information literacy of postgraduate students of the National University of Lesotho (NUL)(2006) Mariti, Lineo Mary; De Jager, Karin; Nassimbeni, MaryIn this global information age many technological advances have changed approaches to education and the way libraries are managed. The massive increase of unfiltered information has resulted in high demands for information literacy programmes. Therefore, students need to be assisted throughout their learning process. The result of this change is the shift from teacher-centered type of learning to student-centered learning. The gap between the library and the classroom needs to be bridged by insisting on the use of information literacy skills and by promoting cooperation and collaboration of efforts between the teaching staff and the library. The learning organizations need to realize the need to embed information literacy within their curriculum to enhance quality education. The transformation requires libraries to embark on student learning and empower students with necessary information literacy skills. This issue of empowering students with necessary skills had become a motivating factor that drove me to carry out this research in order to find out the status and level of information literacy for postgraduate students of NUL. Information literacy standards were used as a measure. The study used a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. A questionnaire was used as a main data collection instrument and the results were measured against the American Library Association (ALA) information literacy standards. Interviews were also conducted at NUL to supplement the main data collection instrument. Findings reflect a moderate to poor performance of a group of postgraduate and senior Law students who participated in this survey study. Findings from interviews provided evidence that NUL is aware of the concept of information literacy.
- ItemOpen AccessHistories intertwined: tracing the evolution of the South African Astronomical Observatory Library and information service within the historical development of astronomy in South Africa(2024) De Young, Theresa; Raju, JayaThis paper explores, in detail, how library and information service provision to the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) evolved in the context of the historical development of astronomy in South Africa. It is based on empirical research that collected data through the examination of literature, SAAO archival material as well as via semi-structured interviews with a purposefully selected sample of individuals who are experts in the field of astrophysics or astronomy libraries. The study collected information on the role of library and information services in astronomy and documented the historical significance of the library in the context of astronomical research at the SAAO. This paper aims to contribute toward the existing literature covering the history of the SAAO, close the gap in the literature covering the history of its library and information service, as well as to contribute towards the international history of astronomy. The paper suggests a future library and information service that remains closely tied to exciting developments in astronomical research within an electronically connected research landscape.
- ItemOpen AccessThe information needs of lecturers at the Cape Technikon and the ability of the Technikon Library to meet those needs(1986) Kerkham, Andrew Summers; Smith, GretchenAlthough the precursors of the South African technikons date back almost one hundred years, they became post-secondary institutions as recently as 1967. Their libraries have therefore had to be upgraded recently to meet the required educational level. With the technikon movement being so young, there has been little formal investigation of the information needs of the libraries' users. An investigation was therefore conducted into the information needs of lecturers at the Cape Technikon and the ability of the Library to meet those needs. The literature was examined and models formulated to clarify the concepts involved in (a) information and its communication, (b) users and their information needs, and (c) the evaluation of library services in their attempts to meet those needs. Previous studies were also examined to determine what variables should be examined. Various methodologies for an empirical investigation were considered; the survey method was chosen as most appropriate, and a questionnaire was developed to elicit lecturers' self assessment of the importance of specified information needs and their opinion of the Library's ability to meet those needs. Weighted average and percentage proportions were calculated and were used in producing tabulations of the data, profiles line graphs, histograms and pie charts. The data were then examined for inter-relationships; the results were compared with the results of previous surveys, and conclusions were drawn. The chief findings were that (a) discipline and work activity were the most important independent variables to influence information need; (b) work activity was determined largely by the need for technikon lecturers to change their subject fairly frequently, and by the low level of research at the time of the investigation; (c) the Library was an important source of information to the lecturers, and they were generally satisfied with the Library's services; (d) citation services were being under-utilised; (e) the Library proved to be inadequate in providing for a strong demand for monographs and for very recently published literature, in providing sufficient work and study space, and in providing adequate resources for research purposes. As a result the following recommendations were made: (a) the Library should provide a comprehensive literature searching and current awareness service for the many lecturers who were having to prepare lectures in new subject areas; (b) because of the importance of the Library to lecturers, it must be adequately staffed and financed; (c) attention must be given to the Library's ability to provide recently published literature, which may necessitate a reconsideration of the current collection development pol icy; (d) research must be encouraged, and the Library upgraded to provide the necessary resources for research.
- ItemOpen AccessAn investigation into the theoretical foundations of library cataloguing and a critical analysis of the cataloguing of the South African national bibliography, 1981-1983(1984) De Jager, Karin; Smith, Janet GretchenThis thesis proposes that the foundations of the library catalogue are not rooted in a coherent, encompassing and comprehensive theoretical structure. Instead, it shows that it rests upon a number of principles that evolved during the nineteenth century from the work done by cataloguing experts such as Panizzi, Jewett and Cutter. These principles are shown to be either principles of access or of bibliographical description, and they still form the basis for the construction of modern catalogues according to the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd edition (AACR2). The South African National Bibliography (SANB) is then used as an example of an actual catalogue constructed according to the AACR2. A study is conducted of the cataloguing records in the SANB in order to establish how these Rules are put into practice, and how usable a catalogue may be produced according to these Rules and principles. It is concluded that the SANB is a high quality catalogue according to the standards set by the AACR2, but that such a catalogue may not be optimally useful from the point of view of the user. Certain ideas from Artificial Intelligence are then employed to find out to what extent a user is able to utilize the library catalogue as a channel of communication in order to gain maximum benefit from the information available in the catalogue. It is found that the user is indeed not equipped to make full use of the catalogue, and it is suggested that the potential for increased access facilities brought (v) about by computer technology may be employed to bridge the communication gap between the user and the cataloguer. The thesis therefore concludes that the established principles according to which catalogues are constructed, are inadequate for the formulation of a comprehensive theory of cataloguing, but a search for such a theory is shown to be ultimately inappropriate. Cataloguing is essentially a problem-solving pursuit which aims at the production of a tangible object; a usable catalogue. Modern computer technology has brought the library catalogue to a crossroads in its development, and a detailed study of user needs will have to form the basis for the development of additional principles according to which the new technology will most successfully be applied to library catalogues.
- ItemOpen AccessKnowledge management in research organisations : a knowledge audit(2008) Aliba, Beatrice; Smith, Janet GretchenThis dissertation focuses on a knowledge audit that was conducted in a research organisation (PLAAS) at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa. A knowledge and information audit provides a framework that examines the ways in which an organisation handles and leverages its knowledge and information assets. The audit examines ways an organisation creates, generates, disseminates, stores and shares its knowledge and information resources. In the process, the gaps, sinks, and duplications are revealed; providing useful information that can support decision making and knowledge management initiatives to enhance organisational productivity and effectiveness. This relates specifically to developing relevant information and knowledge strategies, to understanding an organisation's knowledge and information needs and aligning these with the right tools that will facilitate efficiency in an organisation's core engagements. This knowledge and information audit was exploratory in nature and sought to understand the current information and knowledge environment of the organisation. It was anticipated that the results would augment and feed into the current reflections of the organisation on how to leverage its knowledge and information assets and improve efficiency and remain competitive in the market place. The audit was carried out at PLAAS, a research unit that produces considerable research output based on the empirical studies that the staff conducts. The organisation, in addition, is actively involved in forums that debate and engage with various players in the land and agrarian sector in South Africa. These engagements are at a level where they influence policy matters related to land and agrarian matters in the new South Africa. This audit sought to examine what information and knowledge supports core engagements of the staff, what information and knowledge they use, where they find it and in the process establish the gaps, and challenges staff face as they carry out their core research duties. The audit adopted a qualitative approach to research, where interviews were the primary source of data collection. An interview guide was developed to facilitate the data collection and twelve (12) interviews were conducted. The themes, recurring items, and unique views that emerged guided the analysis. Recommendations to improve the current knowledge and information environment took the form of a 'Road Map for Knowledge Management' that the organisation can adopt to enhance the current operating system. The knowledge and information audit showed that the organisation is very knowledge-oriented and extensively engaged in knowledge work even though this is not explicitly referred to as 'Knowledge Management'. Many shortcomings were identified with regard to the knowledge and information system that is currently in place and these specifically relate to: the organisational structure, organisational memory, organisational technology infrastructure, infrastructure, knowledge sharing activities, and the organisational culture. The results suggested that the organisation needs to strengthen aspects in these areas in order to remain efficient and support the staff in their daily work activities. The outcomes further suggest that knowledge audit methodologies (as an area of knowledge management) need to develop and be standardized and that more research needs to be conducted in this field of knowledge management.
- ItemOpen AccessLibraries and academic development strategies in South African universities(1992) Cuthbertson, Mary-Lynn; Nassimbeni, MaryThis dissertation examines the role of university libraries in academic support and development programmes in South Africa. It focuses on how libraries and librarians can assist under-prepared students whose educational backgrounds under apartheid have not equipped them for the transition from school to university. The socio-political, educational and library contexts are analysed in comparative perspective by looking at the experience of ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom. Issues of nation building and multi-culturalism in both Britain and South Africa are critically discussed, and the institutional aspects of professional librarianship are construed as the backdrop of user education in academic libraries. Academic development strategies in university libraries are reviewed under the rubric of affirmative action, racism awareness training, a multi-media environment, reading programmes and information retrieval and censorship. Recommendations are offered on the basis of an investigation of the literature on user education in libraries and its application to academic development for under-prepared students.
- ItemOpen AccessLibrary provision for undergraduates : with specific reference to three libraries in a selected region of South Africa(1987) Allardice, Carryl Megan; Kesting, J GThe purpose of this thesis is to analyse library programmes, facilities and services for undergraduates at South·African university libraries. Black students who arrive at university encounter a library for the first time and find using it a bewildering experience. Thus libraries must become more aware of undergraduate needs and play an increasing role in academic support, concentrating their services on the undergraduate and particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This concern for undergraduate education prompted an evaluation of library provision for undergraduates. The broad hypothesis· being the better the facilities, the better the library services and the concomitant provision for undergraduates. The thesis examines the literature commencing with an outline of general library facilities (accommodation, collection, staffing, and financial support), as well as determining the role of the university library, and examining established library standards. Library services are identified, with particular emphasis on user education. The literature survey concludes with an in-depth examination of the development of undergraduate libraries and the arguments both for and against such libraries. The scope of the investigation is limited to three university libraries in a contiguous region of South Africa, and data was gathered via a detailed structured questionnaire. The empirical survey focuses on library programmes and attempts to identify specific provision for undergraduates.
- ItemOpen Access'n Ondersoek na persoonlike indekseerstelsels, insluitende gerekenariseerde stelsels, met spesiale verwysing na die indekseringsbehoeftes van individuele akademici in Wes-Kaapland(1989) Bekker, G D; Kesting, J GThe investigation into personal indexing systems consists of (a) a study of the literature and (b) an empirical survey of the indexing needs of academics in the Western Cape. The literature study was used, inter alia, to determine certain ''characteristics" of personal indexing systems. Characteristics are defined as those features of personal indexing systems that are generally agreed upon by most authors and users as mandatory to ensure effective utilisation of such systems. These characteristics are later employed to derive models of personal indexing systems that may have practical applications for academics. The empirical study provides conclusive proof that dissatisfaction with the academic library is not a reason for setting up a personal indexing system and that academics have a need for professional help when they start their own indexing system. Journal articles are of utmost importance in all document collections, but books, conference papers, theses and clippings are also important. The number of documents contained in such systems vary between 200 and 48 800 with an average of 2 492,76. According to Soper scientists tend to keep their documents at the workplace while humanists tend to keep their documents at home. Social scientists fall between these groups and keep some of their documents at the workplace and some at home. For scientists and social scientists Soper's observations were confirmed. Lack of data made it impossible to come to any conclusion in the case of humanists. The main difference between large indexing systems and personal indexing systems is the number of records. The smaller system can be simpler, but it was not possible, with the data available, to state conclusively that a thesaurus is not necessary. Although the advantages of computerised systems were indicated it is acknowledged that many academics would prefer a manual system. An index on a computer should provide for variable length fields. The researcher comes to the conclusion that a combination of a classification system and free search terms would be the most effective method to use in subject searches. He suggests that the main classes of the Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme may be used as an outline and that for his specialised field of study the user should devise his own scheme.
- ItemOpen AccessRecataloguing and reclassification projects and methods in Cape Town libraries(1974) Hinchliff, Patricia ShaenCataloguing and classification are fields of librarianship currently experiencing many alterations to long established procedures. Constant changes in both field of knowledge and in internationally standardized cataloguing rules and classification systems result in increasingly complex problems at libraries to which librarians should attempt to provide, economical solutions. A current technical problem confronting librarians is that the maintenance of a catalogue and a classified bookstock frequently results in continuous recataloguing and reclassification of retrospective titles. The knowledge that this technical problem is connnon to many libraries prompted this study of recataloguing and reclassification projects and methods in seven Cape Town libraries. An objective of this study is to examine the situation which in the necessity for recataloguing and the circumstances under which it can be undertaken as an economical proposition at a library. The aim is also to assess which aspects of a recataloguing project time-consuming and whether improvements can be implemented in the routines at libraries in order to effect a greater economy in operation.
- ItemOpen AccessResearch support from academic law libraries in the Western Cape in the scholarly legal research lifecycle(2019) Moll, Elizabeth Margaret; Raju, JayaraniThis study used an interpretive paradigm and a qualitative research approach to investigate the legal research lifecycle process used by legal academics at three institutions within the Western Cape, South Africa in order to ascertain academic law library research support services that would be able to support legal scholars using such a process. In order to do so, the researcher used four critical questions to guide the study which investigated the research lifecycle process used by legal scholars; existing and possible law library research support services discussed in the literature; current law library research support services in the Western Cape being offered to support legal scholars; and, the knowledge and skills required by law librarians to support legal research processes. A multiple case study method was used, with Stellenbosch University, the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape as research sites. Purposive sampling of legal scholars and law librarians at three institutions was adopted. Data was gathered mainly through the administration of semistructured interviews with both the legal scholars and the law librarians, as well as via the literature for some aspects of the study. A conceptual framework, which used two conceptual models, namely, the research process lifecycle model and the Reference and User Services framework for LIS services, guided the theoretical aspect of the study. The researcher found that legal scholars favour the doctrinal approach to research, which still consists of the same stages involved in the research process model, but does not distinguish as clearly between the stages. A novel aspect of this study was the exploration of what constitutes legal data and it was found that it consists of literature, including cases and legislation. Law libraries should therefore be able to adapt their ‘data services' to this concept of legal data in order to better support legal scholars. A broad range of research support services were identified within the literature, but the study showed that law libraries in the Western Cape still rely on the ‘traditional' library services, for example, reference services and collection development. The study revealed that newer services, such as bibliometrics and research data services, could have applicability, although law librarians would need to adapt such services to the legal context. A disconnect between legal scholars and the law libraries that serviced them was seen in terms of awareness of library services, and therefore this study recommends that a targeted marketing approach as well as other relevant interventions be put in place in order to bridge this gap. Other recommendations include further study into how to ground new library research support services (such as research impact services or research data management services) in a legal context; as well as further study into the extent to which subject knowledge and/or a subject qualification is required to practice as a law librarian.
- ItemOpen AccessRobben Island 1591-1920(1964) Smith, Pam MThis bibliography on Robben Island covers the known history of the Island from its earliest discovery until 1920 when the Infirmary for lepers, lunatics and the chronically ill was finally abandoned. The bibliography does not claim to be exhaustive: illustrations and government publications have been excluded and no systematic search of newspapers was undertaken because of lack of time; newspaper articles are recorded only where the compiler was guided there by other references. The Cape Town archives contain a large number of documents - mainly official correspondence - which could not be included in this limited work, but which are relative to the Island's history. Annotations concerning the scope and content of the material have been made in nearly all cases. It was found to be impracticable to annotate certain of the works as fully as the others because of the vast amount of information they contained on all aspects of the Island's history. These works are Van Riebeek's journal, Theal's Histories, Moodie's Records and Leibbrandt's precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope.
- ItemOpen AccessStatistics for electronic resources(2008) Dean, Caroline Elizabeth; De Jager, KarinElectronic resources represent a large portion of many libraries' information resources in the current climate of hybrid libraries where print and electronic formats coexist. Since the dramatic uptake of electronic resources in libraries during the 1990's the topic of usage statistics has been on librarians' lips. The expectations that librarians had of being able to compare resources based on usage statistics were soon dashed as it became apparent that electronic resource providers were not measuring usage uniformly. Given the initial disappointments that librarians had in terms of electronic resource usage statistics the author set out to find the reasons why librarians were keeping statistics for electronic resources, which statistics they were keeping for electronic resources, and what were the issues and concerns with regard to statistics for electronic resources. To get an international answer to these questions a literature review was undertaken. The South African point of view was sought through an e-mail survey that was sent out to the 23 South African academic libraries that form the South African National Library and Information Consortium (SANLiC). A 65% response rate was recorded. The international and South African answers to the three questions were very similar. The study found that the reasons why librarians keep electronic resources statistics were to "assess the value of different online products/services"; to "make better-informed purchasing decisions"; to "plan infrastructure and allocation of resources"; and to "support internal marketing and promotion of library services". The study also found that the statistics that librarians were keeping are: sessions, searches, documents downloaded, turnaways, location of use, number of electronic resources, expenditure and virtual visits. The number of virtual visits was kept by international libraries but no South African libraries reported keeping this information. The concerns that were raised by both international and South African libraries were found to be about: the continued lack of standardisation; the time-consuming nature of data collection; the reliability of the usage data; the fact that the data need to be looked at in context; the management of the data; and how to count electronic resources. Clear definitions of the latter are essential. A concern raised in South Africa but not in the international literature is that there exists a lack of understanding amongst some South African librarians of the basic concepts of electronic resources usage statistics. The author concludes with a suggestion that the CHELSA Measures for Quality be implemented so that librarians can see that the collection of usage data for electronic resources has some purpose. Once this is in place one or more training events under the auspices of SANLiC should be organised in order to train librarians in the best practice of electronic resource usage statistics.
- ItemOpen AccessA study of the interaction in book selection between provincial library systems and their affiliated public libraries in South Africa(1981) Gertz, Mary Bonnin; Kesting, J GCurrent methods of book selection in provincial library services in South Africa are examined with a view to establish whether they are the most effective possible from the point of view of the affiliated public libraries throughout the country. This involved tracing the history and development of the four provincial library services and examining their current selection practices. A well-organised network of affiliated public libraries making provision for white, and to a lesser extent coloured, South Africans has been established since World War II, with the strongly centralised provincial services providing the book stock. It appeared from the study that relatively little change had occurred in either the organisational structures or the book selection methods of these services since their inception, and that the involvement of local librarians in book selection was negligible. Instead of their role increasing as more public libraries were staffed by qualified librarians, financial pressures had resulted in even less initiative being permitted and an increase in centralised control. To establish the ideal model against which the performance of the provincial library services could be evaluated, contemporary professional opinion on public library objectives, management and book selection, as also the developments in rural systems in selected countries was surveyed. Compared to the static local picture of service which emerged from the empirical investigation, overseas advances in goals and management as reported in the literature had seen exciting professional advances, with librarians accepting, and going out to meet, the challenge of the changes in society. Strong communication links between users and selectors were emphasised. Rural networks in the foreign countries surveyed had grown to improve in efficiency and in economic terms, but in all cases the local librarian selected his own book stock, which seems more satisfactory than the current South African practice. To further test this hypothesis an empirical investigation by means of a questionnaire was circulated to all affiliated public libraries circulating more than 60 000 books annually. The findings confirmed the surmised lack of interaction in book selection between provincial and public librarians, and there was dissatisfaction, particularly among the very biggest libraries with experienced qualified staff, at the present system. The thesis concludes with recommendations made towards remedying this situation.
- ItemOpen AccessThe use of electronic information services (EIS) by undergraduate nursing students at the University of Namibia's (UNAM) northern campus : a descriptive study(2008) Ndinoshiho, Joseph Megameno; Smith, GretchenLibrary and information science professionals are increasingly taking a keen interest in gaining a better understanding of how university's students are making use of the electronic information services (EIS) in academic libraries. This study investigated the use of EIS by undergraduate nursing students at the University of Namibia's (UNAM) Northern Campus. The study has specifically examined the extent to which these students used EIS, the purposes for which they used EIS, the barriers they encountered in their use of EIS, the benefits they feel they gain from using EIS, the sources they use to acquire EIS skills, and their perceptions of EIS.