A framework for the entrenchment of intellectual property (IP) information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries

Abstract

The study investigates the current status of Intellectual Property (IP) information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries. The study employed a quantitative approach. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 69 library professionals employed at 20 university libraries which are full members of the Zimbabwe University Libraries Consortium (ZULC). Findings show that the current focus of the surveyed institutions is on providing scientific research support services (18); disseminating/sharing university research output (14); and copyright activities (12). More specialised IP information services such as IP education and training, patent information services, IP consulting services, IP online service platforms, and web-based IP information services are largely unavailable in Zimbabwean university libraries. Results reveal that the underlying challenge in the development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries is insufficient IP knowledge among academic librarians, which is exacerbated by inadequate IP management frameworks in university institutions. The study proposes a framework for the entrenchment of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries.