Analysing the future of Zimbabwe’s academic libraries: from their historical past to preparedness for current realities and requirements

Mavodza, Judith

doi:10.1533/9781780634357.2.93

Cited by 4 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…ZULC is driven by a belief that access, as opposed to traditional ownership, is the most viable strategy to support teaching, learning and research (Machimbidza, and Mutula, 2019). According to Mavodza (2014), cooperation and collaboration at institutional, national and international levels is key for the success of academic libraries. The author cites the INASP and EIFL.Net as classic examples of partners that have contributed towards resource sharing in Zimbabwe.…”

Section: History and Role Of Consortia In Zimbabwementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The PERI and SRKS programmes are aimed at supporting access to e-resources and promote resource sharing among academic libraries in Zimbabwe. According to Mavodza (2014), partnerships between academic libraries in Zimbabwe and INASP facilitate access to national and international scholarly information and knowledge in support of learning, teaching and research. It provides an opportunity to optimise ICT usage for wider access to scholarly research.…”

Section: History and Role Of Consortia In Zimbabwementioning

confidence: 99%

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Conundrum of resource sharing in Zimbabwe: a case of academic libraries

Chisita

Fombad

2020

IDD

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges and opportunities for Zimbabwe’s academic libraries in their endeavour to provide quality services. It will examine how library consortia, namely, the Zimbabwe University Library Consortium (ZULC) and the College and Research Libraries Consortium (CARLC), have been able to provide for the information needs of their users at a time when budgets are inadequate and subscription costs to journals remain unaffordable. It will examine how academic libraries, through resource sharing platforms, have been able to exploit ubiquitous technologies and build on from the traditional interlibrary loan (ILL). The paper will recommend a strategy based on a model to strengthen access to scholarship through resource sharing. Design/methodology/approach The researcher opted for a qualitative research design. A purposive sample of 32 participants drawn from ten academic librarians located in Zimbabwe was used to collect the information. The participants were chosen because of their involvement in resource-sharing activities. The participants were drawn from the two library consortia, namely, CARLC and ZULC. Data for the study was collected using structured interviews. Findings The findings revealed that resource sharing was critical for the survival of academic libraries in Zimbabwe. The study found out that resource sharing was the only option to overcome the challenges of the paywall. It highlighted the need for a concerted effort of all academic institutions in adapting a model that provides for the diverse needs of members with regard to widening access to scholarship. However, in spite of the success of library consortia in enhancing resource sharing in Zimbabwe, there are challenges that require the concerted effort of all academic institutions in coming up with a model that best provides for the diverse needs of members with regard to resource sharing. Practical implications The results of the study will be useful in providing a long-term strategy for enhancing resource sharing among academic libraries in Zimbabwe in their endeavor to support teaching, learning and research. Originality/value There is a scarcity of scholarly studies on resource sharing initiatives among academic libraries in Zimbabwe. This study is unique because it tackles the experiences of the academic libraries in overcoming the challenges of the paywall.

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Section: History and Role Of Consortia In Zimbabwementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: History and Role Of Consortia In Zimbabwementioning

confidence: 99%

Conundrum of resource sharing in Zimbabwe: a case of academic libraries

Chisita

Fombad

2020

IDD

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“…A transformational leadership style is best suited to addressing the leadership challenges confronting academic libraries because it focusses on organizational changes and the development of new leaders. Mavodza (2014) conducted a study in Zimbabwe on the development of academic libraries and the role of leadership. Okere and Olorunfemi (2018) focussed on the importance of transformational leadership in Southwest Nigeria.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Okere and Olorunfemi (2018) concluded from their findings that transformational leadership is effective in encouraging growth, commitment to adapting to change and increased productivity. Mavodza (2014) concluded that librarians in Zimbabwe must adapt to transformation and change. The study also emphasized the importance of improving librarian training and development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adoption of transformational leadership qualities for South African academic libraries in Gauteng Province

Kunene

Mapulanga

2021

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PurposeThe purpose of this study was to ascertain the adoption of transformational leadership qualities in South African libraries in Gauteng Province.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a qualitative approach with open-ended questions that yielded some qualitative data. For the study, a multi-case study design was used. The study specifically targeted participants by identifying three directors of academic libraries in Gauteng. The criteria for selecting the three directors were that two of the universities are residential research-intensive universities, and the third is an academic library of a distance learning university. Atlas.ti8 was used to analyse the data, which was then presented using thematic content analysis.FindingsThematic areas for leaders of the 21st century, as mentioned by the directors, were a mixed bag. That empowerment was suggested by the first academic director. The appropriate leadership qualities were fiduciary, analytical, pragmatic, transformative and visionary. The second academic director proposed consultative, innovative and adaptable approaches, while the third proposed collaborative, ethical and adaptive approaches.Practical implicationsTransformative leadership is required, particularly in the aftermath of technological advances and pandemics such as COVID-19, which have altered the way academic libraries should operate.Originality/valueMany studies on transformative leadership have been conducted. However, in the aftermath of technological advancements and pandemics such as COVID-19, the role of transformative leadership remained untested. This study fills the void.

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“…Polytechnics are government libraries since they are under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development. The CARLC is viewed as one of the most important consortia in promoting the interests of government libraries (Mavodza 2014).…”

Section: Introduction and Background Of The Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing a National Library Consortium: Lessons Learnt from other Countries

Chisita¹

2017

Mousaion

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This article examines the main lessons learnt from other countries to aid in accelerating the development of library consortia in Zimbabwe. The study explored the development of library consortia in southern Africa, other parts of Africa and countries outside Africa. The study used a survey research method as a single research design. The survey design allowed for methodological pluralism. The study sought to generate knowledge on the experiences of other countries in developing library consortia for nationwide access. The main research question driving the study is "What lessons can Zimbabwe learn from the successes and challenges of library consortia in southern Africa and elsewhere to construct a model that will support the country's national development agenda?" The research sites for this study were academic libraries subscribing to the Zimbabwe University Library Consortium (ZULC) and the College and Research Library Consortia (CARLC). The researcher selected 10 members from the ZULC and five members from the CARLC as research sites. The lessons drawn from other countries were used as the basis for developing a library consortia model for Zimbabwe. Lessons on library consortia developments with regard to experiences, challenges and opportunities have been drawn, and an integrated multifaceted model is suggested for Zimbabwe to develop a national consortium providing for nationwide access. The study recommends that there should be a special investigation into the establishment of the general consortium, involving representatives from public, school, and other special libraries. Developing and consolidating structures for connecting the library consortia are necessary to ensure the effective and successful operationalisation of the federated model.

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Analysing the future of Zimbabwe’s academic libraries: from their historical past to preparedness for current realities and requirements

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Conundrum of resource sharing in Zimbabwe: a case of academic libraries

Conundrum of resource sharing in Zimbabwe: a case of academic libraries

Adoption of transformational leadership qualities for South African academic libraries in Gauteng Province

Developing a National Library Consortium: Lessons Learnt from other Countries

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