A Study of Use of the Internet Among Library Professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Internet provides electronic information sources such as electronic journals, mailing lists, newsgroups, and other Web documents which can be used by members of various professions for professional development and upgrading their knowledge. The paper presents results and discussions of a study of the use of the Internet for professional development by library professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa. Results of the study of 47 librarians indicate that they have access to the Internet and e-mail facilities and this is mainly done at workplaces. However, use of the facilities for accessing electronic journals, discussion groups, newsgroups and other useful Internet sources is quite low and in some cases almost non-existent due to the shortage of Internet and e-mail access computers, poor telecommunications lines, slow and unreliable Internet links, inadequate Internet use skills, and since the facilities are available at workplaces, lack of enough time to use them. The study also found that there is a general agreement among library professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa on the fact that the Internet could play a very vital and important role in facilitating professional networking and sharing of information.