Readiness of academic libraries in South Africa to research, teaching and learning support in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Abstract

<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Purpose</jats:title><jats:p>In this paper, we refer to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in 2016, where the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) was coined by Klaus Schwab, with the reference that it would be building on “the Third, the digital revolution” and would be “characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres”. While acknowledging that the 4IR will impact on everything, everywhere, including research and libraries, we conceptualize 4IR, and we compare current academic library services/trends in South Africa with 4IR requirements, through the analysis of 26 public university library websites.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title><jats:p>Besides conceptualization of 4IR, a content analysis of websites of 26 public universities’ libraries in South Africa was achieved followed up with verification of the data by respective libraries through a preliminary research report circulated to them by email. 23 areas were identified as the trends in academic libraries, which included free Wi-Fi in the libraries; 24/7 study areas and access to library resources on and off campus; research commons; makerspace; borrowing ICTs (e.g. laptops); e-resources; e-catalogues; research data services (RDS; RDM, IR); open scholarship; information literacy and reference/bibliographic tools, library as a publisher, among others. Data obtained were captured in Excel and analyzed by the research questions.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Findings</jats:title><jats:p>The 4IR concept does not occur often in literature, in relation to academic libraries, but it is implied. The findings show that the libraries are responding well to the revolution through their services, with remarkable innovation and creativity on display. There was a 64% presence of the analyzed trends/services in the libraries, with emerging trends/services such as library as a publisher (4%), robotics/AI (4%), makerspace (8%), RDS (27%), borrowing of ICTs/devices (19%) and user experience (19%) scoring low, while information literacy and digital scholarship (e.g. IR) (88%), e-catalogue and e-resources (92%), group study area (85%) and off campus access (77%) scoring above 75%. The scatter of the trends/services among the university libraries is noted for knowledge sharing of best practice.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Research limitations/implications</jats:title><jats:p>In order to improve accordance with trends, academic libraries have to be better resourced, accessed and used, as well as improve web visibility. The study expects library services to be responsive, resourced and accessible anytime and anywhere, and it provides a conceptual framework and a benchmark for further research and exploration in the country, region and perhaps elsewhere.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Practical implications</jats:title><jats:p>The study can be used for benchmarking current and future academic library services in Africa. The conceptual framework provides an agenda for theoretical discussions and deliberations.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Social implications</jats:title><jats:p>The trends, framework and 4IR representations in the study can inform theory and practice in LIS, particularly in Africa.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Originality/value</jats:title><jats:p>Linking 4IR to current and future library services provides a tool for academic libraries services benchmarking and development and provides a conceptual framework for theoretical and practical debates and implementation. The study is quite current and appropriate for the ongoing discussions of 4IR implications to academic libraries.</jats:p></jats:sec>

Echoes down the corridor. Experiences and perspectives of library and information science education (LISE) during COVID-19 through an African lens

“…Typically, such strategies included those that support distant learning” and teleconferencing became a norm. The third respondent (Nigeria) reflected on the closure of teaching in Nigerian public universities due to the strike and how this enabled “undivided attention to do research” and emphasized the benefits of “self-learning” (Majanja, 2020; Ocholla and Ocholla, 2020; Ocholla, 2021).…”

“…Our skills and experiences also significantly improved. It also opened up windows for us to understand the importance of digitization of library resources” (see Ocholla and Ocholla, 2020). Respondent 3 concurred, but added, “We learn to cope with the new normal by embracing online teaching, learning, and research through Zoom, Google meet, WhatsApp, Google form, Easy Class, and so on, for LISE.…”

“…For example, among the studies on Covid-19 that are relevant to this paper were those focusing on experiences (Bennett et al , 2020; Craft, 2020; de Villiers Bosman et al , 2020; Gressman and Peck, 2020; Kannampallil et al , 2020; Landoy and Færevaag, 2020; Simpson, 2020; Stein et al , 2020; Panganayi, 2020); perceptions (Geldsetzer, 2020; Guo, 2020; Zhao et al , 2020); and challenges and opportunities (Afriyie et al , 2020; Besser et al , 2020; Bhagat and Kim, 2020; Conger, 2020; de Villiers Bosman et al , 2020; Dwivedi et al , 2020; Fink, 2020; Marshall et al , 2020; Mayo, 2020; Pan and Zhang, 2020; SĂLceanu, 2020). Covid-19 challenges and opportunities seem to have confirmed what LISE (Ocholla, 2021) and the Library Information Services sector (Ocholla and Ocholla, 2020) consider to occur during 4IR, particularly regarding jobs/employment, access and services – anytime, everywhere, the leading role of technologies and self-learning.…”

“…We have discussed the model in more details in a book chapter (Ocholla, 2021) and in relation to libraries (Ocholla and Ocholla, 2020).…”

Information ethics: From professional ethics to social ethics. How my thoughts evolved over the years – A narrative

“…We (Ocholla & Ocholla 2020) attempted to characterise 4IR by keyword analysis through Scopus (2014-2019) because of its indexing breadth and inclusivity of scholarly publications ) by using a Boolean search resulting in 5380 records and displayed the terms by VOSviewer for links as reflected in Figure 7.1 (based on 100 of the top terms). Most of the terms or technologies are not new as they reflect on the past (to some) industrial revolutions, particularly the Third Industrial Revolution or digital revolution.…”