Academic Libraries In Ghana Research Articles

Management of e-resources in academic libraries in Ghana: Copyright implications

This study investigated the copyright issues surrounding the management of e-resources in academic libraries in Ghana. Forty-seven library staff and head librarians from four academic libraries were engaged using questionnaires and qualitative interviews in a sequential mixed-methods approach to generate data for this study. The findings indicate that in all four institutions copyright issues arose with the provision of distance learning, online courses and e-reserves services. All the respondents stated that they or their colleagues had had faculty ask questions on copyright issues. However, the professional librarians indicated that the library was not consulted and the instructors for online courses or distance education programmes did not cooperate with librarians; rather, the department posting the materials made the decisions on copyright regarding the usage of digital resources for distance learning, online courses or e-reserves. This does not augur well for the management of copyright of e-resources in academic libraries in Ghana.

An evaluation of copyright communication infrastructure: Fostering stakeholder harmony in academic libraries in Ghana

Academic librarians find themselves in a lacuna whilst offering support to their users in accessing copyrighted works. This study evaluated the infrastructure for communicating copyright information in a way that would foster stakeholder harmony in academic libraries in Ghana. The study used data from 530 postgraduate students, 38 library staff and 4 head librarians by employing the sequential explanatory mixed methods design. The results show poor knowledge of copyright infrastructure for communicating copyright information. Both students and library staff were either not sure if the library had a designated copyright centre or expert, if the designated centre or expert was located in the library or aware of any department dedicated to educating the university community on the use of copyrighted materials. Also the students did not find information or documentation on copyright policies on their university campuses adequate (ϕ = 0.620, n = 530, P = 0.000). The professional librarians either said “yes” or were “not sure” compared to the paraprofessional staff who thought that there was not enough information/documentation on copyright laws/policies (ϕ = 1.208, n = 38, P < 0.001). Faculty liaison/outreach was the most often used medium to communicate copyright information. However students' preference was for “Online tutorials” for raising awareness of copyrighted materials usage. This study underpins the poor understanding of copyright, and raises potential challenges in stakeholder harmony in academic libraries in Ghana.

Managing and accessing indigenous knowledge for national development: The role of academic libraries in Ghana

This paper is to examine the role academic libraries can play to organize and make indigenous knowledge accessible for national development. The target audience for the paper are academic librarians in Ghana, researchers of African studies in Ghana and other stakeholders. This is a qualitative study with data from interviews with the librarians and a desk-top literature review. Academic librarians in Ghana recognize the importance of indigenous knowledge organization, but little has been done by way of research. Most academic libraries in Ghana have the basic resources to manage indigenous knowledge. Academic librarians need to be proactive in their collaborative efforts to manage indigenous knowledge. Academic librarians in Ghana should be proactive towards effective management of indigenous knowledge, for easy accessibility. Again, academic libraries need to be well resourced to manage indigenous knowledge. Finally, academic libraries need to create awareness about the importance of indigenous knowledge using different media platforms to all stakeholders.

Effects of awareness of user rights on compliance with copyright laws and policies in academic libraries

The complexities and ambiguities of copyright laws influence compliance for librarians and patrons of academic libraries. The study investigated the relationship between awareness of copyright laws, particularly user rights, and the level of compliance in academic libraries in Ghana. The sequential explanatory mixed methods approach was employed for data collection from 530 postgraduate students, and 4 head librarians of two public and two private universities using questionnaires, focus group discussion and qualitative interview sessions. Awareness of copyright laws and policies generally influenced copyright compliance. However compliance was differently influenced by awareness of different aspects of the copyright laws and policies. Awareness of user rights positively influenced compliance of copyright laws and policies. The positive influence of awareness of user rights on compliance implies that copyright educators, in seeking to address the increasing levels of copyright violations in academic libraries, will do well to promote user rights.

Ghanaian academic libraries’ use of social media: A structural equation modelling approach

The study was largely quantitative and employed the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) as its theoretical lens. The target population was 31,157 consisting of library staff and library patrons from four academic libraries in Ghana. Sampling tables and census sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 767 respondents. Adopting a cross-sectional survey design, the study used a pre-tested questionnaire to collect data from the sampled respondents. Statistical analyses were carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The structural equation modelling technique was further used to estimate the relationships and correlations between the theoretical constructs from the UTAUT to understand behavioural intentions and use behaviour of social media in the academic libraries. The study found that performance expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions have significant influence on the intention to use and subsequent use of social media in academic libraries in Ghana.

The level of awareness and understanding of copyright laws and policies among academic librarians in Ghana

Awareness and understanding of copyright laws are critical in the proper administration of copyright in academic libraries. Data from 38 library staff and 4 head librarians was used in a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach to assess the level of awareness and understanding of copyright laws among library staff with regards to balancing user rights with rightsholder rights in academic libraries in Ghana. The data was collected using questionnaires and qualitative interviews. Though awareness of all the copyright laws, which was not influenced by the educational status of staff was high, the level of understanding was lower. Work experience, schedule of work and current position of staff significantly influenced the level of understanding. The generally moderate level of understanding of copyright laws for library staff; particularly for fair use and creative commons licensing, is a worrying development for copyright administration in academic libraries in Ghana.

The management and the usage of electronic resources in academic libraries: A bi-directional relationship

Electronic resources (ERs) in academic libraries have become a global phenomenon due to technological developments, and these resources are changing the expectations of library users as well as the nature of the work of librarians. Although there is an extensive body of literature on the management and usage of ERs in academic institutions, few researchers have taken a holistic view by studying both concepts in a single study to reveal how they are related. Previous studies have investigated only the management or usage of ERs as separate concepts. This study investigates the management and usage of ERs in academic libraries in Ghana to explore the connection between the two concepts. The aim is to provide better recommendations for practice. This research applied a mixed methods design. Twenty-four library staff and three library consortium executives were interviewed. Faculty members and postgraduate students from four institutions were surveyed. Our findings show the various ways in which the management and usage of ERs have an influence on each other. These were mainly in the areas of selection, access provision, publicity, training, evaluation, and usage of ERs. The importance of appropriate and adequate resourcing, the marketing and demonstration of the value of ERs, training and usage evaluation are discussed.

Resource Description and Organization in Academic Libraries in Ghana: Evidence from the Practice of Three Top Universities

The study is of the cataloging and classification practice as it pertains to the Ghanaian perspective with the goal of contributing to research in this area. The case study design was used with data primarily elicited from a sample of 39 cataloging department staff. The study reveals the online nature of resource description practice as well as its universal acceptance and centrality in the value chain of academic library operations. The study identifies the financial investment in the practice as low and recommends an increase in financial allocation and in collaboration and networking among catalogers in the country.

Provision and Awareness of Digital Library Resources in a Multi-Mode University: Perspectives of Distance Learners and Librarians.

The purpose of the study was to explore the extent to which digital library provision affects awareness and use of digital contents, digital reference services, and information literacy among stakeholders in distance education at a large multi-mode public teacher education university in Ghana. The study makes use of the concurrent mixed-method design. The population of the study was 1,834 distance students with a sample size of 641 distance learners reading programmes in Basic Education in three distance education Centres of the University of Education, Winneba namely Winneba (247), Kumasi (276) and Asante-Mampong (118). A total of 453 (70.67 percent) distance learners, selected randomly, completed a 31-item questionnaire. Also, the population consisted of four librarians from three Campuses in the vicinity of the Centres. A combination of probability and non-probability sampling methods were used for this study. The study found that awareness and use of digital library resources in the three distance education Centres were very low, if not non-existent. The findings revealed that for all the three main classes of digital library resources and services; digital contents, digital reference services and educative services, provision was very poor or non-existent for the distance learning community. This negatively impacted awareness and use of these resources. Among others, the study recommends a regular collaborative needs assessment of distance learners; establishment of dedicated library services for distance education; and the development of embedded library services which can appreciably raise the visibility of digital library resources in distance education. Keywords: Digital library provision; distance learning community; awareness; multi-mode; academic libraries in Ghana.

Enhancing academic library services provision in the distance learning environment with mobile technologies

This study aims to explore the potentials of using mobile technologies (m-techs) to enhance academic library services delivery in the distance learning environment in Ghana. The objectives are to assess the students' awareness and appreciation for mobile technology-based library services; and to assess the librarians' competencies in switching to delivering mobile technology-based services. Using a descriptive survey, a questionnaire was administered online to collect data from 382 students and 118 library staff within two public universities in Ghana. A total of 453 responses were used for the final analysis. A descriptive analysis method was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that the students were aware and had positive appreciation for the value of mobile technology-based library. They expressed great expectations about the availability of the library services on m-tech platforms in Ghana. However, the findings of this study also revealed that academic libraries in Ghana were crawling behind in switching toward the delivery of the library services on m-tech platforms due to the shortage of technical and skilled staff with m-tech competencies in the selected libraries. The findings have practical implications in assisting the academic libraries in developing roadmaps for using mobile technologies to enhance academic library services to support distance education, not only in Ghana, but also in other countries. The findings also demonstrate the proliferation of the mobile device usage within the university environment and indicate how librarians should build their competencies in switching to deliver services on m-tech platforms. As a study of this nature has not been conducted in Ghana, this study fills the gap in m-tech research in the context of library services and distance learning.

An examination of electronic resource management in academic libraries in Ghana through the Techniques of Electronic Resource Management (TERMS) framework

The management of electronic resources (ERs) has become a core function of academic libraries and researchers have revealed how academic libraries in developed countries are struggling to successfully manage these resources. The scholarly literature on the management of ERs in libraries has predominantly focused on developed country context. Little research has been conducted on how academic libraries in developing countries are managing their online databases. This paper presents the findings of a study that examines ER workflows and the extent to which ER workflows or the practices of managing online databases in academic libraries in Ghana compare with the Techniques of Electronic Resource Management (TERMS) framework. Data were collected from library staff in two public and two private universities, and consortium executives using semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that although efforts had been made to follow standard procedures, some components of the TERMS framework were absent in the ER workflow in both public and private case libraries while other aspects of the workflow were responsibilities of parties external to the libraries. Opportunities exist for improving ERM practices in academic libraries in Ghana. In particular, by involving users in the selection and assessment of ERs, increasing promotional activities, and improving the documentation of ER workflow. The findings also revealed interconnections between various stages of TERMS. The findings provide a basis from which academic libraries can improve their practices and extends the application and revision of the TERMS framework to an African context.

Privacy practices in academic libraries in Ghana: Insight into three top universities

This research contributes to knowledge on privacy practices in academic libraries, by comparing survey data of librarians and their student-patrons in three top Ghanaian public universities. Our research revealed that Ghanaian academic libraries have not been proactive in promoting privacy issues. There is a general lack of awareness among librarians and their student-patrons about library practices, policies and procedures relating to privacy in their institutions. Besides, very little has been done in terms of providing privacy education and communicating the library’s and vendors’ privacy policies to staff and student-patrons. Among others, recommendations were made for library leaders and the library professional association in Ghana to develop toolkits that will facilitate privacy education and privacy advocacy.

Investigating the Development of a Research Portal as Part of an Academic Library Website for Scholarly Communication Guidance in a Public University in Ghana

This article discusses the benefits of having a research portal as part of an academic library website to enhance trainings in scholarly communication by the academic library. The article seeks to educate academic librarians and library stakeholders on the contents of a research portal for scholarly communication guidance to doctoral students irrespective of their year of study. It also seeks to address the gap in literature on research portals as part of academic library websites for library user trainings on scholarly communication using Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as the case study. The study used web-based questionnaires for data collection from KNUST doctoral students and doctoral supervisors as well as through interviews with the dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Senior ICT Assistant in the Library system, professional librarians and the two deputy librarians within the KNUST library system. The study established that a research portal is a one-stop shop containing all the guidance on the ethics and specifics in conducting a research study and disseminating research findings. The article recommends that academic libraries in Ghana should consider research portals as part of the library website for scholarly communication guidance.

Critical success factors for total quality management implementation and implications for sustainable academic libraries

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the critical success factors for total quality management implementation and implications for sustainable academic libraries in Ghana. This study is part of a PhD project that focussed on selected technical university libraries in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a quantitative approach to collect the data. Samples of 124 participants were involved in this study. PLS-SEM (Smart PLS3) software was used to analyse the data. Convergent, discriminant validity assessment was computed. Eight variables of critical success factors were tested in relation to total quality management implementation at selected academic libraries in Ghana.FindingsThis study established that out of the eight variables tested, six of them (i.e. top management commitment, employee innovation employee training, organisational culture, teamwork and effective communication, quality performance) indicated a significant positive relationship with total quality management implementation apart from strategic planning and human resource management.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was limited to eight variables as the critical success factors mentioned in the previous paragraph. The use of one methodology might be a limitation as the use of multimethod might have given a more comprehensive picture than the case. This study was limited to only technical university libraries in Ghana hence caution must be exercised when applying the results to contextually different academic environments. The results are applicable to academic universities library in Ghana and beyond if they are adjusted to suit the context.Practical implicationsThis study is timely as it may lead to effective total quality management implementation and the sustainability of technical university libraries in Ghana and Africa in general.Originality/valueThe proposed model can be used to enhance the smooth implementation of total quality management in academic libraries in general and Ghana in particular. The framework is termed as Eddie and Pat's Achievement of Quality Performance (EPAfQP) model.

Promoting Sustainable Development Goal 4: The Role of Academic Libraries in Ghana

This study, in view of the global importance of the Sustainable Development Goals and the current under-development of public library services in Ghana, aims to examine the role of academic libraries in promoting knowledge and skills for lifelong learning opportunities among students in Ghana. The research population comprised three (3) Heads and three (3) Deputy Librarians of selected academic institutions. Participants were identified using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using one-on-one interview, non-participatory observation and documentary evidence. The study has identified some fundamental issues in relation to lifelong learning. The findings support the fact that academic institutions contribute significantly to lifelong learning by providing access to relevant information, giving trainings on research publications, as well as search strategy training, communication skills training, information literacy, and reading. This paper provides insights for academic librarians and decision makers in disseminating measures for the promotion of knowledge and skills for lifelong learning opportunities among students in Ghana. The study recommends some relevant strategies such as collaboration of academic libraries and educational associations.

Access to library services and facilities by persons with disability: Insights from academic libraries in Ghana

A group of the academic library’s vast untapped clientele to whom more attention is now being paid is persons with disability. Drawing from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ checklist on what constitutes disability-friendly libraries, this study sought to ascertain if academic libraries in the Upper East Region of Ghana have made provisions for persons with disability. The research adopted a qualitative approach. The data used for the analysis is drawn from interviews with respondents, the majority of whom were visually or mobility-impaired, who were purposively selected from 11 tertiary institutions. The findings reveal that academic libraries in the Upper East Region have yet to implement the stipulated regulations of the ratified Persons with Disability Act of Ghana. The majority of libraries are inaccessible to persons with disability beyond the main entrance of the libraries. The biggest challenge is the absence of diverse media information for persons with visual and hearing impairments. Also, the findings reveal that library staff lack adequate knowledge of issues relating to persons with disability and their right to access information. The study highlights the challenges which hinder persons with disability from accessing quality information from libraries. The study, therefore, recommends that relevant state institutions be empowered to implement the ratified Persons with Disability Act in Ghana and increase education among stakeholders on the need to improve access to information for persons with disability. Also, there should be increased investment and allocation of funds to libraries to provide for the information needs of persons with disability.

Marketing intangibles: the case of library services in higher education institutions

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the adoption of marketing techniques in academic libraries in Ghana, and how they are applied in the promotion of their services to patrons.Design/methodology/approachAdopting the qualitative research approach, a total of 21 professional and para-professional library staff from three private universities participated in the study. The main data collection instrument was the use of semi-structured interviews. Data gathered was analysed, discussed and presented thematically.FindingsThe findings revealed that the study's participants are fully aware of the benefits of inculcating marketing activities into their daily routines and were making efforts at making their users aware of their products and services with the use of various strategies including the deployment of social media tools. Some of the challenges that were discovered to hinder the success of marketing in the libraries were lack of funds, lack of knowledge of marketing techniques by staff and a lack of marketing policy to guide marketing in the libraries.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study imply that, even though carried on a few academic libraries, the same can apply to most academic libraries as the characteristics are generally the same.Practical implicationsTo boost marketing initiatives in the selected university libraries, the following recommendations informed by the findings of the study are made: creation of marketing policies, increase use of social networking sites for marketing, organization of seminars and workshops on marketing, diversifying sources of funding for libraries and conducting user surveys.Social implicationsThe implementation of the recommendations has the potential to increase the level of interactions between academic libraries and their patrons as well as impact positively on the information-seeking behaviour of library patrons.Originality/valueApart from the application of works of other scholars, which have been duly cited and acknowledged, the entirety of this study or research output is the result of the handiworks of the researchers. Again, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work has not been a production of existing research nor is earlier published in any journal.

Assessing Adoption and Implementation of Mobile Technology-Based Library Services in Academic Libraries

Mobile Technologies (m-tech) have been embraced by stakeholders of academic libraries globally in recent times as a medium that can offer convenient library services to library patrons. This study was to ascertain the potentials of adopting and implementing m-tech based library services in academic libraries in Ghana. The study was a descriptive survey and the mixed-method approach was used. The major findings were that there were a strong awareness and deep appreciation for the use of m-tech library services among library management and students, however, m-tech based library services have not been implemented in the libraries due to diverse reasons. These include inadequate ICT infrastructure, skills gap as a result of lack of training, lack of policy framework for the adoption of the technology and clearing the hurdle of convincing university management to accept the technology. As a result, it was recommended that the libraries need to invest more in ICT infrastructure specifically m-tech infrastructure and build on their human resource base through recruitment and professional training on emerging technologies

Contextual Factors Influencing the Implementation of Radio Frequency Identification Technology in Academic Libraries in Ghana

The implementation of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in libraries is common across the globe, and many academic libraries, especially in technologically advanced countries, are using it. The use of RFID increases the efficiency of collection management and security in academic libraries. In Ghana, academic libraries, especially those at major tertiary institutions, are the most vibrant in the library system; they provide access to subscription-based online resources, including research databases and ebook collections, in addition to physical books and journals. The fast-increasing enrolment numbers in Ghanaian tertiary institutions translates into an increased number of academic library users, making it difficult for library staff to manage libraries effectively. The amount of work carried out by librarians in these academic libraries has created a need for implementing technology, for example RFID, that can promote efficiency and effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to examine the contextual factors influencing the implementation of RFID technology in academic libraries in Ghana’s tertiary institutions. A qualitative approach was used following a single-case study method, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. We conducted interviews with 18 senior academic librarians, covering six academic libraries comprising three traditional university libraries, two technical university libraries and one college of education library in Ghana. We found that no academic library in Ghana had implemented RFID at the time of this study. Several challenges, including a low budget, lack of skilled personnel, weak coordination between user departments and procurement units, were identified. The study suggested that if these challenges were handled effectively and efficiently, implementing RFID in Ghana’s academic libraries could be successful and beneficial.

Digitizing the intellectual output of Ghanaian universities

PurposeWith the emergence of ranking of universities by organizations, one major factor considered in the rankings is the intellectual output of the universities. For universities to remain part of the global academic competitive society, intellectual output of universities can no longer be stored on shelves in libraries. Academic libraries have engaged in digitization of the intellectual works of their institutions which is a core mandate of any academic library. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the state of digitization initiatives among university libraries in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach was adopted. Nine top universities in Ghana were selected to participate in this study. Interviews were conducted with heads of libraries.FindingsThe findings of the study revealed that seven out of the nine libraries studied have embarked on some sort of digitization initiative, and all libraries studied are using the same digital asset management system (Dspace). Major challenges reported by the participants that are common to all the libraries studied are lack of adequate and modern equipment, lack of trained personnel and lack of cooperation from faculty members.Originality/valueThis study brought fore the initiatives undertaken by academic libraries in Ghana to establish and maintain institutional repositories (IRs) amidst a number of challenges. It is a major contribution to the literature from West Africa as not much literature on IR is found from this part of the world.