Abstract: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 librar… Show more
“…However, even though the future might appear bleak, the pundits should hold their horses in rushing to declare doomsday because scientists are working day and night to find an antidote and countries have implemented strategic measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Zarocostas ( 2009 ) hinted that the world was fighting a pandemic and an infodemic that populates social networks, social media and other platforms for communication because misinformation is the greatest challenge that governments have to grapple with as COVID-19 takes its toll on human livelihoods (Chisita 2020 ).…”
Section: Statement Of the Problemmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Building an effective NII has become a high priority to governments around the world. Chisita and Fombad ( 2020 ) viewed the NII as a system consisting of the information environment that facilitates easier and affordable communication through connections using information and communication technologies (ICTs). The authors also describe an NII as a subset of the global information infrastructure (GII).…”
Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…There is growing concern over the phenomenal growth of misinformation in society, arising from unedited information sourced from crowds (Qutab, Myers & Gardner 2019 ). Chisita et al ( 2020 ) raised concern on how content from unprofessional contributors ends up shaping public opinion and breeding conspiracy theories. There is a growing concern over the misuse of social media platforms to peddle fake news, resulting in information disorder.…”
Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Internet service providers are key pillars of the NII constituted of people, communication networks, ICT hardware and software and information and knowledge resources (Chisita 2020 ). Currently, the South African National Research Network (SANReN) and the Tertiary Education and Research Network (TENET) are providing resources to move large data in a secure environment and availing resources for research and data analysis relating to efforts to mitigate and prevent the COVID-19 pandemic (SANReN 2020 ).…”
Section: Internet Service Providersmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The director of the WHO, Doctor Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus vehemently called upon governments to galvanise and scale up their emergency response mechanisms as a preventive and mitigatory measure (WHO 2020a ). Chisita ( 2020 ) and Zarocostas ( 2020 ) concurred that it has become a preordained ritual that the outbreak of a pandemic triggers a cloud of confusion arising from misinformation and disinformation – resulting in panic, anxiety and uniformed decisions, all of which are detrimental to socio-economic stability. Social media has been chock-full with confusing posts that mislead readers and viewers.…”
Globally, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has wreaked havoc on human lives and socio-economic activities at an unimaginable scale. African countries have not been spared from this debacle – as evidenced by media reports of loss of lives, lockdown, isolation and desolation coupled with loss of livelihood. Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic rages, libraries find themselves at the epicentre of an unprecedented crisis in the form of an information deluge that requires a multi-thronged approach to ensure information hygienic practices in information management. In order to fight COVID-19, librarians and related information professionals with relevant tools should aim at helping prevent COVID-19 pandemic infodemic (coroinfodeluge). This article explores how libraries and librarians can contribute to the fight against COVID-19 through waging wars in the realm of access to information amidst an avalanche of disinformation. This article analysed how librarians can be proactive in contributing to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic through innovative strategies that ensure an informed citizenry. The study used qualitative content analysis as the study design. Documents were retrieved from trusted websites and they were coded before analysis. These documents included legal instruments, scholarly publications from accredited databases including Elsevier and Emerald. The study found out that librarians were not included in the national programmes to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, yet they possess potential to contribute to the fight against misinformation by educating citizens on information hygienic practices, for example, by directing users to credible or trustworthy sources on the pandemic. The study concluded that librarians can be useful stakeholders to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and infodemic because they possess knowledge and skills relating to critical literacies that are needed in the 21st century. It recommends a collaborative framework that includes community leaders and strategic partners – to help librarians ensure that the citizenry is not misinformed during emergencies.
“…However, even though the future might appear bleak, the pundits should hold their horses in rushing to declare doomsday because scientists are working day and night to find an antidote and countries have implemented strategic measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Zarocostas ( 2009 ) hinted that the world was fighting a pandemic and an infodemic that populates social networks, social media and other platforms for communication because misinformation is the greatest challenge that governments have to grapple with as COVID-19 takes its toll on human livelihoods (Chisita 2020 ).…”
Section: Statement Of the Problemmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Building an effective NII has become a high priority to governments around the world. Chisita and Fombad ( 2020 ) viewed the NII as a system consisting of the information environment that facilitates easier and affordable communication through connections using information and communication technologies (ICTs). The authors also describe an NII as a subset of the global information infrastructure (GII).…”
Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…There is growing concern over the phenomenal growth of misinformation in society, arising from unedited information sourced from crowds (Qutab, Myers & Gardner 2019 ). Chisita et al ( 2020 ) raised concern on how content from unprofessional contributors ends up shaping public opinion and breeding conspiracy theories. There is a growing concern over the misuse of social media platforms to peddle fake news, resulting in information disorder.…”
Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Internet service providers are key pillars of the NII constituted of people, communication networks, ICT hardware and software and information and knowledge resources (Chisita 2020 ). Currently, the South African National Research Network (SANReN) and the Tertiary Education and Research Network (TENET) are providing resources to move large data in a secure environment and availing resources for research and data analysis relating to efforts to mitigate and prevent the COVID-19 pandemic (SANReN 2020 ).…”
Section: Internet Service Providersmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The director of the WHO, Doctor Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus vehemently called upon governments to galvanise and scale up their emergency response mechanisms as a preventive and mitigatory measure (WHO 2020a ). Chisita ( 2020 ) and Zarocostas ( 2020 ) concurred that it has become a preordained ritual that the outbreak of a pandemic triggers a cloud of confusion arising from misinformation and disinformation – resulting in panic, anxiety and uniformed decisions, all of which are detrimental to socio-economic stability. Social media has been chock-full with confusing posts that mislead readers and viewers.…”
Globally, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has wreaked havoc on human lives and socio-economic activities at an unimaginable scale. African countries have not been spared from this debacle – as evidenced by media reports of loss of lives, lockdown, isolation and desolation coupled with loss of livelihood. Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic rages, libraries find themselves at the epicentre of an unprecedented crisis in the form of an information deluge that requires a multi-thronged approach to ensure information hygienic practices in information management. In order to fight COVID-19, librarians and related information professionals with relevant tools should aim at helping prevent COVID-19 pandemic infodemic (coroinfodeluge). This article explores how libraries and librarians can contribute to the fight against COVID-19 through waging wars in the realm of access to information amidst an avalanche of disinformation. This article analysed how librarians can be proactive in contributing to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic through innovative strategies that ensure an informed citizenry. The study used qualitative content analysis as the study design. Documents were retrieved from trusted websites and they were coded before analysis. These documents included legal instruments, scholarly publications from accredited databases including Elsevier and Emerald. The study found out that librarians were not included in the national programmes to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, yet they possess potential to contribute to the fight against misinformation by educating citizens on information hygienic practices, for example, by directing users to credible or trustworthy sources on the pandemic. The study concluded that librarians can be useful stakeholders to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and infodemic because they possess knowledge and skills relating to critical literacies that are needed in the 21st century. It recommends a collaborative framework that includes community leaders and strategic partners – to help librarians ensure that the citizenry is not misinformed during emergencies.
Purpose
This study aims to develop a model for integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in resource sharing practices for enhanced service delivery in academic libraries in Southeast Nigeria. Seven objectives guided the study; ICT-based resource sharing practices in academic libraries in Southeast Nigeria; ICT infrastructure for resource sharing; ICT needs of librarians for resource sharing practices; stages of ICT integration in resource sharing; perception of librarians towards ICT-based resource sharing; challenges to integration of ICT in resource sharing practices; design a model for the integration of ICT into resource sharing; all in academic libraries in Southeast Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design adopted for this study is the mixed research design containing the “descriptive survey” research design and the “research and development, R&D.” The population of the study is 164, comprising all of the librarians in federal universities in Southeast Nigeria. All of the librarians of the five federal universities will be involved in the study. Hence, there was no sampling. The instrument for data collection is a structured questionnaire.
Findings
The findings of the study revealed that 88.8% of the librarians use ICT to boost the volume of resources; while 74% of the librarians were positive in all responses pertaining to ICT-based resource sharing practices in the libraries. The study also revealed that ICT infrastructures in the library for resource sharing are highly available and applicable; while computers and internet networks are the most needed gadgets for the operations. Libraries in Southeast Nigeria are in the applying and transforming stages of ICT adoption at a 69.7% response rate; while the librarians have a strong belief and understanding that a lot can be achieved in resource sharing through ICT; and would recommend such. Poor electrification, inadequate funding and unavailability of some ICT technologies were equally identified as challenges. The study conclusively developed a resource sharing model, the Southeast Federal University Library Connect; accessible at https://southeastfeduniconnect.njh.com.ng
Originality/value
The research study is one of the few types of research that has developed a functional model for resource sharing in academic libraries in Southeast Nigeria.
In the era of digital innovation, the preservation of indigenous knowledge stands at a compelling intersection of heritage and technology. Librarians play a crucial role in navigating the complexities of technology while respecting cultural protocols. Through a comprehensive exploration of librarian practices, this study sought to unpack how indigenous knowledge can be ethically preserved in the digital landscape. A qualitative study was conducted with 20 librarians in Zimbabwe, who were purposively selected. Interviews and observation were used to collect data, which was analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings reveal that libraries preserved indigenous knowledge in the form of poetry, folklore, drama and artefacts; demonstrated traditional dances; and sometimes recorded live sessions and special collections. The major challenges being faced were the ethical issues in documenting indigenous knowledge. It is recommended that librarians actively work with indigenous communities in indigenous knowledge projects to avoid resistance from knowledge holders.
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