Proposing a Library Consortium Model for National Development in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Globally library cooperation and collaboration is transforming the scholarship landscape as academic libraries battle to survive amidst escalating costs of subscriptions. Zimbabwe is no exception to this phenomenon as evidenced by the development of local consortia for resource sharing. The main purpose of the research is to gather the views of librarians on the need for a library consortium to support national development in Zimbabwe. The researcher used a mixed method approach. Zimbabwe does not have national library consortium for nationwide access to information. Such a consortium is key to harnessing the collective buying power of member institutions to negotiate and guarantee license agreements for digital content. The study recommends a federated library consortium model built on lessons learned from other countries. The model elevates library consortium principles of cooperation and collaboration into Zimbabwe’s national development agenda.

An assessment of human resource capabilities in supporting digital records preservation: a case of RAMD and RITA, Tanzania

“…In a similar vein, Mukred (2016) also noted that adequate numbers of trained staff with the required technical skills facilitate digital records preservation. Chisita (2009) found that upgrading and equipping staff with knowledge and skills related to ICT helps organisations to deal with technological changes. It is, therefore, essential for an institution to pay enough attention to training and developing internal staff, as it enhances awareness, increases skills, knowledge, experience and commitment towards digital records preservation.…”