Library Automation at The University for Development Studies: Challenges and Prospects

Thompson, Edwin S.; Pwadura, Joana

doi:10.1080/13614533.2013.842929

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…In a study by Kari and Baro (2014) on the use of LMS in Nigerian university libraries, it was reported that there was a high software turnover rate in most Nigerian university libraries for reasons such as lack of proper feasibility studies, huge maintenance cost and lack of technical support. Thompson and Pwadura (2014) also identified frequent power outages/surges, poor maintenance culture, lack of appropriate system security and inadequate finance as major problems affecting the use of LMS at the University of Development Studies in Ghana. In another study in Ghana by Ahenkorah-Marfo and Akussah (2016), it was revealed that the adoption of social media in top universities in Ghana was not streamlined, as the libraries did not have policies to guide them in the use of social media and they lacked the required skills to make the use of such tools effective.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proposed standard guideline for managing information systems (ISs) in libraries in Africa

Ocloo

King

2023

DLP

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Purpose Libraries in Africa are adopting technology at a fast pace. However, literature has provided enough evidence of the many challenges libraries on the continent are facing in the use of the adopted information technology of which information systems (ISs) are major components. Literature also does not provide evidence of IS standard, policy or guideline at both national and international levels as a benchmark for the use of these systems. Therefore, this paper aims to propose an IS standard guideline as a guide for libraries in Africa to develop IS policies, standards or guidelines to help in effective use of IS in libraries. Design/methodology/approach The researchers based their proposed standard guideline on the findings from their earlier research works and evidence from other existing literature as has been reviewed in this paper. Findings Findings from the literature revealed that libraries in Africa face a number of challenges in the use of IS which can be categorised into four main areas, namely, financial challenges, technological and infrastructural challenges, human resource challenges and organizational challenges. Originality/value This paper proposed an IS standard guideline to serve as a guide for libraries in Africa to develop IS policies, standards or guidelines to help in effective use of IS in libraries.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proposed standard guideline for managing information systems (ISs) in libraries in Africa

Ocloo

King

2023

DLP

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“…A library automation software program automates book acquisition, cataloging, circulation, and locating reading materials (Nkhoma-Wamunza, 2003;Thompson & Pwadura, 2014). Automation helps libraries to organize, and disseminate knowledge efficiently (Nkhoma-Wamunza, 2003;Thompson & Pwadura, 2014). Suku and Pillai (2005) have cited several reasons for library automation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Open-Source and Proprietary Library Automation Software: A Comparative Academic Librarian's Perspective

Hassan¹,

Hamid²,

Shah³

2022

JIMP

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The purpose of this study was to get an understanding of how academic librarians perceive open-source and proprietary library software. The researchers used a survey research approach and a self-constructed questionnaire as data collection tool. The study targeted 103 library professionals working at HEC-recognized degree awarding institutions (DAIs) and universities in Lahore, both public and private sectors, yielding an 84% response rate. To meet research objectives, descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Study findings explored that library software should have the facility of advanced searching, library standards, and a user-friendly interface. Comparative analysis revealed that open-source library software contains more modules and requires highly skilled employees. On the other hand, human resources with minor skills can use proprietary software. Factors that prevent adopting OSS for academic libraries include a lack of technical support, skilled and motivated library professionals, inadequate cooperation between supervisors and subordinates, and insufficient training opportunities. Experienced library professionals should guide and offer full cooperation in the selection and implementation of software. Library schools and associations should play a decisive role through school curriculum and professional development programs in preparing graduates and practitioners for embracing modern technologies. Open-source software developers should also organize training programs for software users to work independently in libraries.

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“…ERs serve as gateways to information and knowledge providing support for teaching, learning and research . Technology in sub-Saharan African universities has evolved at a slow pace which is attributed among other factors to budgetary constraints, high cost of ICT facilities, inadequate ICT skills, unstable power supply, and lack of ICT strategies and policies (Thompson & Pwadura, 2014).…”

Section: Background To the Research Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Generally, the findings revealed that both public and private case institutions were challenged with inadequate human and non-human resources. Resource-related constraints generally appear to be a major issue in developing countries where academic institutions are challenged with budgetary constraints, high cost of ICT facilities, inadequate ICT skills and unstable power supply (Ani et al, 2016;Deans & Durrant, 2016;Dukic & Striskovic, 2015;Ukachi, 2015;Thompson & Pwadura, 2014).…”

Section: Inadequate Ict Infrastructure As a Hindrance To Ermmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electronic Resource Management and Usage in Academic Libraries: The Ghanaian Context

Bentil¹

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<p>Electronic resources (ERs) in academic libraries have become a global phenomenon, and as libraries rely more on these resources managing them effectively becomes crucial. Electronic resource management (ERM) has consequently become a core function which many academic libraries around the globe appear to find challenging to implement effectively. Challenges of managing ERs are particularly pronounced in developing countries such as Ghana where the introduction of ICTs has typically been characterised by inadequate resources. Although there is an extensive literature on both the management and use of ERs, little research has studied how the two aspects could affect each other. Ineffective management of ERs could negatively affect their use; likewise, low usage of ERs could negatively impact on the management of these resources. Studying the concepts of management and usage of ERs together would result in better recommendations to inform practice and eliminate the challenges. In addition, the literature on the management of ERs is predominantly centred around libraries in the developed country context. Moreover, academic libraries in Ghana do not appear to be effective in managing ERs. There is a lack of understanding on how academic libraries in Ghana are managing ERs, and the ways in which this is affecting their usage and vice-versa. The study therefore fills the gaps by exploring the connection between the management and usage of ERs in academic libraries in a developing country context. Placed within a post-positivist worldview, this mixed-methods research employed a multiple case study approach, involving two public and two private universities in Ghana. Stakeholders included in the study were library staff, faculty, students, and consortium executives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with library staff and members of the governing council of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Ghana (CARLIGH) concurrently with surveys of faculty and postgraduate students of the institutions investigated. These were supported by document analysis. To guide data collection and analysis, the Techniques for Electronic Resource Management (TERMS) framework (Emery & Stone, 2013), and an initial conceptual model of factors developed using constructs from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) (Venkatesh, Morris, Davis & Davis 2003) and the literature underpinned the study. The interview findings revealed inadequate planning for ERs in the case institutions owing to operational challenges including inadequate policies for ERs, inadequate funding, and understaffing. Although efforts were being made to follow standard procedures some components of ER workflow were absent in both public and private case libraries, whereas other aspects of the workflow were responsibilities of parties external to the libraries. The document analysis showed that, the total average completeness of collection development policies of case libraries was 25% which indicated the lack of vital elements in these policies. The survey findings showed a generally low awareness and usage of ERs by faculty and students due to inadequate promotional efforts by the case libraries, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of relevant content. Consequently, respondents had a negative perception on the usefulness of the ERs which may have caused the observed low usage. The study also found three main factors as affecting the management and usage of ERs in academic libraries in Ghana which were governmental, organisational and individual factors. Governmental factors such as regulations on staffing, inadequate funding, and nationwide rationing of electricity supply were hindrances. At the organisational level, an enabler was collaboration with stakeholders, whereas obstacles included inadequate policies, staffing challenges, resource-related factors, lack of investment for sustainability, centralised management structure, low institutional commitment, poor communication, and low usage of ERs. Enabling individual factors consisted of religious beliefs, social influence, oral information, and interest in IT. Hindering individual factors comprised negative effects of oral information, resistance to change, fear of speaking against authority, reluctance to submit contents to institutional repository, negative perception on the ERs and lack of time. The findings also established various ways in which the management and usage of ERs affected each other. Low user input in the selection of ERs, access related challenges, inadequate publicity, training, and evaluation of ERs negatively affected the usage of ERs. However, case libraries that occasionally allowed users to schedule training sessions observed increased attendance to training with a corresponding increase in ER usage, which provided a basis for institutional budgetary support. On the other hand, failure of users to attend training programmes after signing up, low referral of students to the ERs by faculty and low usage of ERs of the library negatively affected ERM particularly in the areas of budgeting for ER subscription and sustainability. However, faculty and students facilitated the management of ERs of the library in terms of creating awareness of the ERs among their colleagues and peers, and also accessing the resources using mobile devices to supplement the library’s inadequate computers. The TERMS framework and initial conceptual model of factors were revised based on the findings. The study adds to the Library and Information Science research relevant to the understanding of the management and usage of ERs, factors affecting both concepts and how these two concepts are related. In addition, the study contributes to practice by recommending strategies for effective ERM to encourage increased usage of ERs. It is also hoped that academic libraries in other developing countries can draw lessons from the findings. The study also provides advanced countries with a deeper insight to guide them in providing support to developing countries. The findings also have implications for policy and decision makers in terms of prioritisation and allocation of resources for effective ERM and usage in academic libraries as contemporary issues are revealed. Keywords: Academic institutions, Academic libraries, Electronic resources, Electronic resources in Africa, Electronic resource management, Electronic resource usage</p>

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Library Automation at The University for Development Studies: Challenges and Prospects

Cited by 6 publications

References 1 publication

Proposed standard guideline for managing information systems (ISs) in libraries in Africa

Proposed standard guideline for managing information systems (ISs) in libraries in Africa

Open-Source and Proprietary Library Automation Software: A Comparative Academic Librarian's Perspective

Electronic Resource Management and Usage in Academic Libraries: The Ghanaian Context

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