University Libraries In Africa Research Articles

Collection development policy: A panacea for collection development challenges in university libraries in Africa

Collection development is faced with various challenges such as decreasing budget allocation, increasing cost of materials, increasing demand for information, the complexity of electronic resources, and legal issues arising from copyright and censorship. To meet these challenges, university libraries in developed countries have adopted different strategies such as using a written collection development policy (CDP) to guide their collection development activities. However, university libraries in Africa are lagging in this regard. It is either they have not formulated the policy or used it to guide their collection development activities. Therefore, this study argues that a written CDP, if well prepared and used, can address collection development challenges facing university libraries in Africa and provide standard collections necessary for teaching and research activities of the university communities. Specifically, the paper discusses major collection development challenges facing university libraries in Africa and establishes ways in which a written CDP could be used to overcome them. Methodologically, the paper is based on a review of related literature. The paper contains a literature review of papers discussing the major collection development challenges facing university libraries in Africa and ways a written CDP could be used to overcome them.

An evaluation of institutional repository development in African universities

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the development of institutional repositories in university libraries in Africa. An online questionnaire and institutional repository site investigation methods were used to collect data from 134 university libraries in English-speaking countries in Africa. The study finds that there is an increasing wave of development of institutional repositories in English-speaking countries in Africa. The majority of the institutional repositories contain high numbers of theses and dissertations, followed by journal articles and conference and workshop papers. The challenges that are identified include inadequate facilities, unstable Internet connectivity, a lack of funds, an irregular power supply, collecting material for institutional repositories, a lack of skilled information and communications technology personnel, copyright issues and an absence of institutional repository policies. The results from the study provide important data and insight into the development of institutional repositories in university libraries in the context of developing countries, and offer suggestions for university librarians and management teams.

An assessment of digital literacy skills and knowledge-based competencies among librarians working in university libraries in Africa

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess digital literacy skills possessed by library and information professionals working in university libraries in Africa.Design/methodology/approachOnline questionnaire was developed to collect data from 214 librarians working in various university libraries in English-speaking countries in Africa.FindingsThe study found that librarians working in university libraries in Africa rated their database search skills, uploading documents to online platforms, skills in using different social media, sending and receiving e-mails skill, digital library development skills, skills in applying new technologies into library services, ability to create different file formats and ability to use open source software as very high. While, metadata development skills, and library website development skills were rated to be moderate and low. Overall, the librarians rated their level of digital literacy skills possessed to be moderate, and differences emerged between librarians in Nigeria and South Africa with regard to digital literacy skills possessed.Practical implicationsThis study attempts to identify skills that are central to librarians working in university libraries. The study will be useful for trainers who want to arrange training for academic librarians in Africa and other developing countries. For some library schools, it may help them to review their curriculum in accordance with the required skills and competencies for academic librarians in the market.Originality/valueFindings will be helpful to explore the skills and competencies needed by information professionals and to act as a guideline for competency development and curriculum update in library schools in developing countries.

ICT-related training and support Programmes for information professionals

This paper, which seeks to investigate ICT-related training and support programmes for information professionals, becomes essential due to multifarious tasks that require adequate ICT skills, knowledge and application in a dynamic context to function better. This paper adopted the quantitative research approach. The quantitative approach was survey, using a questionnaire to collect data from respondents in selected university libraries in Africa. Findings revealed that ICT-related training and support programmes offered to information professionals helped to improve current practices of library operations and service delivery to users. Re-skilling becomes significant due to the existing phenomenon of pedagogical learning, thus leading to the creation and harvesting of knowledge among information professionals. The exposure, experience, knowledge and skills acquired serve as defence for information professionals in the application and use of ICT-related tools of hardware and software, irrespective of the context. Embracing continuous acquisition of knowledge and skills to navigate and sustain dynamism in the work place becomes a necessity.

Digital preservation practices in university libraries

Purpose The purpose of the study is to investigate the digital preservation practices in institutional repositories (IRs) in Africa. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from the IRs developed in university libraries in Africa, and it was done in two phases. The phases are website investigation to identify the university libraries in Africa that have developed IR and online questionnaire. Findings Results from the study showed that the majority of IRs in Africa used DSpace software to manage their digital contents, and more than half of the IRs engage in information migration. The study also revealed that the majority of the responding institutions provide long-term digital preservation in their IR. Interestingly, the majority of the IRs has developed digital preservation policy to guide the implementation of digital preservation for IR contents. Finally, the majority of the respondents indicated that they do not have long-term funding and lack the necessary technical staff with required skills to handle and manage the IR. Research limitations/implications Because of language barriers, data were collected from only universities in English speaking countries in Africa. Practical implications The findings of this study will make librarians in universities in Africa and other developing countries understand the key issues relating to digital preservation and longevity. Originality/value The findings of this study will inform information professionals, librarians in developing countries that are planning to create IRs and provide long-term digital preservation of electronic resources in their institution.

Human, conceptual and technical skills as determinants of preservation management in university libraries in Southern Nigeria

PurposePreservation is an essential component of library management that requires special skills and competencies. This critical area seems to have been neglected by management of university libraries in Nigeria. This paper aims to examine threats to library information resources and contributions of skills of library personnel to preservation management in university libraries.Design/methodology/approachDescriptive survey design was adopted for the study. This facilitated the collection of data from large population of respondents. Questionnaire and focus group discussion were used as data collection instruments.FindingsPreservation management is one of the core areas of library practice that requires special skills. The study revealed that university libraries in Nigeria are confronted with threats to their information resources. The study found that human, conceptual and technical skills of library personnel significantly determine preservation management in university libraries in Southern Nigeria.Practical implicationsThe paper will allow the management of university libraries to appreciate the importance of personnel skills as the key factor for effective preservation management in libraries and accord it the necessary priority.Originality/valueWhile literature is replete with different aspects of preservation management in university libraries in Africa, little has been written on personnel skills and preservation management in libraries. The paper presents one of the few empirical studies that focus on the relationship between personnel skills and preservation management in university libraries in Nigeria and Africa.

Research support services to small and medium enterprises by university libraries in Uganda: An entrepreneurial and innovation strategy

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa tops the list of poorest regions in the world. The region is characterised by poverty, high unemployment rates, hunger and disease. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) the world over contribute significantly towards social economic growth and have the potential if well harnessed to contribute towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and also reverse the cycle of poverty on the African continent. Most university libraries in the developed world have put in place strategies to re-engineer information on research and innovation (R&I) for SMEs to support entrepreneurship and innovation programmes. However, university libraries in Africa are still lagging behind in this regard despite the fact that the region has the highest number of SMEs.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: investigate how university libraries in Uganda are managing the universities’ research output; find out how the research output is disseminated to SMEs for their entrepreneurial activities, to understand how SMEs access and use R&I information for their entrepreneurial programmes; and propose feasible strategies of how best university libraries can re-engineer the dissemination of the research output for use by SMEs in their entrepreneurial endeavours.Method: The study used document analysis which is a qualitative data collection method. Empirical literature related to the research variables of the study was reviewed through systematic searching of manual and electronic documents on how university libraries treat their R&I information in relation to entrepreneurship.Results: The findings demonstrate that university libraries can re-engineer their R&I information services for SMEs through: repackaging R&I information in formats and languages easily accessible by SMEs; creating informal social networks for information sharing among SMEs; creation of R&I information library corners; University Library Consortia advocating for this concept; periodical announcements of new R&I information in the library through emails to SMEs; organising SME days in the library; creation of SME pages on the library website; conducting information literacy training sessions for SME entrepreneurs; and adding this concept in the library and information science curricular.Conclusion: This article discusses how university libraries, from a developing country context such as Uganda, can re-engineer research output for SMEs and use it to develop innovative solutions that can contribute positively towards SDGs and the social economic transformation of Africa at large.

Marketing Library and Information Services in Selected University Libraries in Africa

The demands of modern information handling coupled with the advent of information and communication technology (ICT), which brings various competitors in information service delivery, demands an innovative approach from university libraries in reaching out to users, of which marketing is beneficial. This paper examines the strategies used by university libraries in Africa to market their resources and services to users and the problems experienced. The survey research design was adopted for this study. A questionnaire was designed and used for data collection. The purposive sampling technique was employed to select twenty (20) universities in Africa for the study. Findings revealed that university libraries in Africa, like their counterparts in other continents, creatively engage in marketing library and information services through various strategies. It was also found that the most frequently used strategies for marketing library and information services in African libraries are library publications (memos, bulletins, and newsletters), orientation exercises, website and flyers. The study equally revealed low level use of social media such as Facebook, blogs, Twitter, e-mail alerts for marketing. Absence of marketing plan, not knowing what to market, lack of facilities and lack of fund were mentioned by the respondents as some of the barriers in marketing library and information services. It was therefore recommended amongst others, that university libraries should design a workable marketing plan with total emphasis on the users; this will help in determining users’ needs for effective and efficient library and information services delivery.

Web 2.0 tools: a survey of awareness and use by librarians in university libraries in Africa

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the level of awareness and use of Web 2.0 tools by librarians in university libraries in Africa. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was used to collect data from 140 librarians from 16 leading university libraries in Africa. Findings – The study revealed that librarians in Africa are mostly familiar with Web 2.0 tools such as social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), blogs, instant messaging and wikis. It was also found that the most frequently used Web 2.0 tools by the librarians in university libraries in Africa are Facebook, instant messaging, blogs, Twitter and wikis. The study revealed that the librarians use the Web 2.0 tools for the purpose of announcing library news/events, online reference services, training resources, blogging and image and video sharing with users. Finally, lack of skills, power failure, lack of facilities such as computers with Internet access, lack of time and lack of interest were mentioned by the librarians as some of the challenges to using Web 2.0 tools. Practical implications – These research results can also be consulted by interested librarians when they plan to make Web 2.0 applications in their libraries. Originality/value – This study draws an overall picture of the Web 2.0 applications in university libraries in Africa and attempts to provide these libraries with helpful information to better understand how their colleagues elsewhere are utilizing Web 2.0 technologies in rendering library services.

Teaching and Fostering Information Literacy Programmes: A Survey of Five University Libraries in Africa

Information Literacy (IL) is recognized around the world as an essential skill for the information society. The aim of the paper is to examine the various information literacy practices in university libraries in Africa, to identify the barriers facing IL programmes in Africa, and to provide suggestions on how best to improve IL practices. A survey of five leading university libraries in Africa showed them mainly practicing IL training by means such as library tours/orientation sessions, introductory information skills classes, and teaching advanced information skills (e.g. database searching). There are, however, many barriers: a lack of interest by students, professors, and library management; inadequate human resources to teach IL; lack of facilities; low use of distance education for teaching IL, and an absence of IL policies. This column argues that university authorities in Africa and other developing countries must see the need to provide the necessary facilities such as: computers with Internet connectivity in university libraries, regular power supply, training for librarians on IT, and most of all, librarians should collaborate with other stakeholders in their institutions to ensure IL policy formulation and implementation in their institutions.

Bridging the information gap with the patrons in university libraries in Africa

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine and demonstrate the extent to which university libraries in Africa are bridging the information gap through the use of web 2.0 systems, including challenges and prospects.Design/methodology/approachThe review adopted a combination of various data collection methods and approaches, including current academic literature, document analysis, desk review guides and reports on university libraries.FindingsReview results indicate that few university libraries in Africa have embraced the use and application of web 2.0 systems. It is regrettable that web 2.0 is not new in libraries, although many African university libraries have not adopted the concept. Web 2.0 systems, including blog, delicious, YouTube and Facebook among others, are no longer a preserve of commercial organizations.Research limitations/implicationsThe review involved university libraries in Africa because of their perceived role in creation, management, preservation, transmission or diffusion and utilization of information and knowledge. University libraries provide information services to support research, teaching, learning, and community activities of respective universities.Practical implicationsUniversity libraries in African countries face various challenges in implementation of web 2.0 systems. Web 2.0 systems have proved to be useful in addressing issues and challenges of open, distance and e‐learning programmes. Information professionals should support implementation and use of relevant web 2.0 systems.Social implicationsAcross the globe, university libraries are increasingly using web 2.0 systems to support, promote and extend information services to their patrons. In the modern information world 2.0, it is important for university libraries to identify relevant web 2.0 systems and integrate them into mainstream library and information services.Originality/valueThe review provides useful insights regarding the use and application of web 2.0 systems in university libraries in Africa.

Innovative financing for university libraries in sub‐Saharan Africa

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the different sources of financing university libraries in Africa and the challenges faced by libraries in sourcing for funds, with a view to suggesting innovative ways through which the library can raise additional funds.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the literature on different sources of financing libraries globally, especially alternative sources of funding outside government grants. It identifies the challenges faced in sourcing for funds, best practices in raising additional funds and makes suggestions on non‐conventional ways that can be used by libraries to address the challenge.FindingsThe paper finds that government provides about 90 per cent of the funds for university libraries in Africa. However, the funding is not only inadequate, but is also usually provided on an ad hoc basis. It notes that, in spite of the fact that the literature reveals that librarians are aware of the danger inherent in depending so much on one source of funding and the need to seek alternative sources, they have not done much to overcome the challenge.Originality/valueIn reviewing the various sources of financing university libraries, the paper notes that government allocation remains the major source of revenue; notes the alternative sources of revenue in different countries and describes some of the best practices available. The paper also updates the literature on the subject by discussing current practices, and makes a case for the establishment of a Business and Public Relations department in libraries, an increase in public‐private partnerships and greater efficiency in managing library resources.

Positioning the technological university library in higher education and human resources development in Africa

PurposeThis paper seeks to discuss the positioning of academic libraries in universities of science and technology in Africa. With the importance that is given to the establishment and outputs of these types of universities and to skills development as a contributing factor to Africa's development, the role of library and information services are to be discussed. The paper aims to focus on the position of the library in relation to the changing complexity of information resources, tools for users to access information, IT developments, knowledge creation and dissemination, community engagement, support for innovation and entrepreneurial development, external partnerships and measuring service delivery through research.Design/methodology/approachThe challenges for the library in science and technology universities are to remain relevant to the development of skilled human resource that can contribute to Africa's economic and social development. The changing information provision landscape, the new community engagement programmes, the thrust to contribute to knowledge development and the support for innovation and entrepreneurial development ensure that the library remains relevant in the academic projects in Africa.FindingsThe library in science and technology universities in Africa and in other developing countries remains an important strategic partner in the development of human resources and overall economic and social development of the continent.Originality/valueThe discussion in the paper provides some insights into the planning and development of emerging technological university libraries in Africa and other developing regions.

Library resources, knowledge production, and Africa in the 21st century*

The paper discusses the impact of colonialism on knowledge production and library resources in post-colonial Africa. The discussion concentrates on university libraries in Africa and on the decline of monograph and serials collections and donor dependency in accessing online academic resources and information technology. The limited circulation of Africa-based journals in the industrialized world and within Africa is another concern. Examples are provided from authors listed in the African Journals Online and searched in the Web of Science database. The paper concludes with a brief discussion on non-dependent libraries in selected African countries.

Library resources, knowledge production, and Africa in the 21st century

The paper discusses the impact of colonialism on knowledge production and library resources in post-colonial Africa. The discussion concentrates on university libraries in Africa and on the decline of monograph and serials collections and donor dependency in accessing online academic resources and information technology. The limited circulation of Africa-based journals in the industrialized world and within Africa is another concern. Examples are provided from authors listed in the African Journals Online and searched in the Web of Science database. The paper concludes with a brief discussion on non-dependent libraries in selected African countries.

An empirical study of knowledge management in academic libraries in East and Southern Africa

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to distinguish between information management (IM) and knowledge management (KM) and present the findings of small‐scale research conducted to investigate KM practices in academic libraries in East and Southern Africa, and discussing the importance of KM and suggest the way forward.Design/methodology/approachThis research was undertaken in 20 university libraries in Africa using a questionnaire survey to investigate the current practices in university libraries in Africa to discover whether these libraries are practising KM or IM.FindingsThis survey results seem to suggest that currently most participating libraries are practising IM. A majority of 65 per cent of the participants considered themselves information managers.Research limitations/implicationsThis survey have had some limitations: one, all the participants were University librarians; two, due to the unavailability of contact addresses, the survey could cover only eight African countries. Future research should include a broader spectrum of participants to have an in‐depth knowledge related to KM.Practical implicationsThis paper has practical implications for those who are not fully aware of the importance of KM, how KM can be used to gain a competitive advantage; to break financial and technological constraints; and to satisfy escalating user needs.Originality/valueNot much has been done in Africa to explore KM practices in University libraries, this paper contributes towards filling that gap and adds to KM literature in general and offers empirical support to KM concept. This paper discusses the benefits of KM and offers several recommendations to facilitate KM practices in university libraries in East and Southern Africa.

Towards the digital library in Africa

PurposeIn 2004, the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) commissioned a survey to find out the current state of digitization in university libraries in sub‐Saharan Anglophone Africa. This paper aims to report some findings of the survey.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaires were sent to 107 libraries in 20 countries, with a 72 per cent response rate. Site visits and interviews took place in five countries, followed by a focus group discussion with librarians from four countries.FindingsThe study finds that university libraries in Africa have progressed towards establishing digital library services at very different speeds and levels. Libraries therefore have very different needs and ambitions. For the majority of libraries e‐resources are available but facilities for access are poor. The acquisition and implementation of a library management system would appear to be an essential building block in the construction of a digital library. All e‐developments have depended heavily on external funding and will continue to do so. Lack of funding and lack of or retention of trained staff is the key challenge for the future.Originality/valueThe report provides data on which the future plans of libraries and support interventions can be based.

Resource Sharing Services and Constraints in Selected Seventh-day Adventists University Libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa

Examines reasons why resource sharing is important to Seventh-day Adventist university libraries in Africa. It examines scientifically the resource sharing practices that are unique to each library selected for the study. It also examined the constraints of resource sharing as experienced by the librarians, students and teaching staff of each university. In conclusion, it provides recommendations that will help each library to have greater access to information resources.

A review of consortia building among university libraries in Africa

Discusses evolving trends in library consortia building against the backdrop of recent developments in some African countries. The expected benefits and barriers to consortia building are highlighted. The writers then suggest the way forward in successful consortia building among university libraries in Africa.

Book Review: University libraries in Africa: a review of their current state and future potential

Book Review: University libraries in Africa: a review of their current state and future potential