Digital preservation preparedness of the National Library of Namibia for digital preservation of documentary heritage: a case study

Uutoni, Wilhelm Elinashe

Digital preservation preparedness of the National Library of Namibia for digital preservation of documentary heritage: a case study

Thesis / Dissertation

2024

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Library and Information Studies Centre (LISC)

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

The study inquired into the National Library of Namibia's preparedness to digitally preserve Namibia's documentary heritage. The study triangulated the Open Archives Information System Reference Model and the Digital Preservation Capability Maturity Model, which aided to unpack digital preservation concepts. Within the pragmatic paradigm, the study adopted a convergent parallel mixed methods approach and employed a single case study design. The population of the study consisted of users of the National Library of Namibia, management of the Library and Archives Services of Namibia, board members of the Namibia Library and Information Council and selected staff of the National Library of Namibia. The respondents in the quantitative part of the study were selected using a convenient sampling technique while participants in the qualitative aspect of the study were selected using the purposive sampling method. Quantitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interview guides and a document search guide. ATLAS.ti software version 23.08 was used for the analysis of qualitative data, while SPPS software version 28 was used for descriptive statistical analysis of quantitative data. The study's findings revealed that the National Library of Namibia has made deliberate efforts to digitise some information sources which are in high demand by users. It also found that the National Library of Namibia does not have a digital preservation policy, digital preservation strategies and digital preservation programme to safeguard Namibia's documentary heritage for posterity access. The study concludes that the National Library of Namibia is not prepared to and capable of digitally preserving Namibia's documentary heritage due to the following reasons: lack of appropriate technological infrastructure; limited human resources; lack of knowledge and skills for digital preservation; and challenges associated with e-deposits. The study proposes a digital preservation framework for the National Library of Namibia and for the Namibia library and information sector. This framework could assist the National Library of Namibia to develop policies and guidelines to regulate the digital preservation of Namibia's documentary heritage for posterity.

Keywords

Libraries

Digital Preservation

Reference:

Collections

PhD / Doctoral

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