Directorate of Library Services

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Browsing Directorate of Library Services by Subject "academic libraries"

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    Constraints facing African academic libraries in applying electronic security systems to protect library materials
    (International journal of librarianship, 2023) Kotoroi, Gladness
    This article reviews published literature to identify factors that impede the application of electronic security systems (ESSs) in protecting library materials in African academic libraries. The information for the study was gathered through a review of online literature from databases, namely ProQuest, EBSCO, Emerald, Library Literature, Research Gate Information, and Google search engine. The scope of the literature covered the time when African academic libraries began to use ESSs to protect their collections to the present. It covered only literature that addresses the challenges that hinder African academic libraries from utilizing ESSs to protect library materials. Information was collected by reading the abstracts and conclusion of the online documents. In the beginning, a total of 91 articles were collected as a population of the study. However, only fifty-four (54) articles were found to be relevant to the area of the study. Basic keywords and advanced searching, namely truncations, headings, Boolean operators, electronic security systems, academic libraries, security, African Libraries, theft and mutilation were also used to get relevant literature on the topic from peer-reviewed and scholarly resources. Based on the findings of the reviewed literatures it is concluded that African academic libraries undergo nearly the same challenges where most of which can be addressed because they are generated by the managements, library staff and the environment in which the libraries operate rather than the ESSs. The researcher recommends that African academic library managements should cope with the technological changes so as to compete with the market demand. With that regard, the reported ESSs challenges facing African academic libraries should be aggressively addressed in order to make the application of ESSs effective. Equally, another study should be carried out to inform about the ramifications of not addressing electronic security systems
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    Equipping library users with digital literacy skills as a solution to COVID-19 and other similar disasters: Lessons from Mzumbe University library users
    (Dar es Salaam University Press (DUP), 2023) Josephat, W.; Mosha, G.; Siyao, P.
    The need for equipping students in Higher Learning Institutions with Digital Literacy Skills (DLS) is considered one of the measures that can enable academic libraries to deliver library services during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. This study aims at answering the following question: What types of digital literacy skills and tools were used by academic libraries during the COVID-19 closure of the universities. It also aims at analysing the way digital literacy skills could be used to support library services during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Similarly, it examines barriers which inhibited the deployment of digital literacy skills during its outbreak. The study adopted a case study design while using a mixed approach to data collection. A total of 46 respondents were drawn from the population using both census sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected using interview–guides, questionnaires and documentary reviews. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis while quantitative data were analysed using Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet. The findings indicated that academic library is required to cooperate with faculties and schools by deploying the following digital tools: e-learning platforms, increasing the use of social media, conducting webinars, updating the library website, encouraging the use of library e-resources and improving the library virtual reference services. The following barriers were strongly mentioned as inhibitors of equipping respondents with digital literacy skills: poor internet connectivity, family income status, lack of comprehensive training on digital literacy skills, attitudes of lecturers towards digital literacy skills and lack of teleworking culture among librarians, students and lecturers. It was also noted that the deployment of digital literacy skills was worsened by an acute shortage of funding and resources. The study concludes that for libraries to effectively deliver library services both librarians and users must possess the necessary digital literacy skills. The ICT infrastructure, on the other hand, must be improved to enable libraries to apply digital literacy tools and facilities in the delivery of library services. The need to overhaul library training programmes adding a course on digital literacy skills and deployment of other emerging technologies in the delivery of library services. This study is anticipated to provide insights into the conditions of academic libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study findings will be an eye opener to academic libraries that they have to undergo rapid transformations which will enable them to stay relevant and able to provide services during the pandemic and similar disasters.