Journal articles: 'Digital libraries – South Africa'

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Patterson, Jordan. "Sustainable Digital Preservation Initiatives Benefit from Multi-Pronged Approach." Evidence Based Library and Information Practice 16, no. 1 (March 15, 2021): 107–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.18438/eblip29887.

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A Review of: Masenya, T. M., & Ngulube, P. (2020). Factors that influence digital preservation sustainability in academic libraries in South Africa. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 86(1), 52–63. https://doi.org/10.7553/86-1-1860 Abstract Objective – To define principles for the sustainable management and preservation of digital resources. Design – Survey and literature review. Setting – Academic libraries in South Africa. Subjects – Twenty-two academic institutions in South Africa. Methods – The researchers evaluated four conceptual models of digital preservation and conducted a literature review for the same subject. Informed by these reviews, the researchers developed a questionnaire for South African academic institutions, distributed the questionnaire, and studied the results using statistical analysis software. Main Results – Twenty-two of twenty-seven (81.5%) surveys were returned. Results indicated a broad consensus about which factors were important in sustainable digital preservation; all factors listed received anywhere from 86.3% to 100% agreement among respondents. Conclusion – A proposed conceptual integrated digital preservation model recommends a three-pronged approach to address management-related, resource-related, and technological-related factors in sustainable digital preservation.

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Chisita, Collence Takaingenhamo, and Ukwoma Scholastica Chizoma. "Rethinking academic library space amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa: preparing for the future." Information Discovery and Delivery 49, no. 2 (March 22, 2021): 105–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/idd-07-2020-0087.

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Purpose Academic libraries’ response to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic might be an opportunity to reassert and reemphasise their roles in the national disaster management matrix. The purpose of this study is to review the responses of academic libraries in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. The global outbreak of COVID-19 has precipitated a challenge amongst all institutions, communities and libraries as evidenced by the growing lockdowns, deaths and shocking statistics of infections. This has triggered a fundamental need to rethink how libraries can establish innovative ways to continue providing services to users. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted the interpretive research paradigm to review the situation in South Africa in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used an analysis of secondary sources, the activities that took place and personal experience to answer the research questions. Findings The analysis showed that academic libraries and publishers have risen to the occasion, offering more free content and curating personalised collections so that citizens can have uninterrupted access to content and learning. The digital libraries in South Africa are considered vital alleyways to high-quality e-books, journals and educational content, including open educational resources. Digital library services have enabled academic libraries in South Africa to excel in providing online services, therefore ensuring that learning, research and teaching continued. Originality/value This study, using Habermas’s idea of the public sphere as a fundamental theoretical framework, notes that when the physical space is closed, it is necessary for academic libraries in South Africa to make use of the digital space. This study will contribute to the corpus of knowledge relating to South African digital libraries’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Baro, Ebikabowei Emmanuel, Onyedikachi G. Obaro, and Emetarom Doris Aduba. "An assessment of digital literacy skills and knowledge-based competencies among librarians working in university libraries in Africa." Digital Library Perspectives 35, no. 3/4 (November 11, 2019): 172–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/dlp-04-2019-0013.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess digital literacy skills possessed by library and information professionals working in university libraries in Africa. Design/methodology/approach Online questionnaire was developed to collect data from 214 librarians working in various university libraries in English-speaking countries in Africa. Findings The study found that librarians working in university libraries in Africa rated their database search skills, uploading documents to online platforms, skills in using different social media, sending and receiving e-mails skill, digital library development skills, skills in applying new technologies into library services, ability to create different file formats and ability to use open source software as very high. While, metadata development skills, and library website development skills were rated to be moderate and low. Overall, the librarians rated their level of digital literacy skills possessed to be moderate, and differences emerged between librarians in Nigeria and South Africa with regard to digital literacy skills possessed. Practical implications This study attempts to identify skills that are central to librarians working in university libraries. The study will be useful for trainers who want to arrange training for academic librarians in Africa and other developing countries. For some library schools, it may help them to review their curriculum in accordance with the required skills and competencies for academic librarians in the market. Originality/value Findings will be helpful to explore the skills and competencies needed by information professionals and to act as a guideline for competency development and curriculum update in library schools in developing countries.

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Williams, Marion Lucille, Alexander Dhoest, and Ian Saunderson. "Social media, diffusion of innovations, morale and digital inequality." Library Hi Tech 37, no. 3 (September 16, 2019): 480–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/lht-12-2018-0192.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore social media usage in an academic library in South Africa and the factors influencing its use. The primary goal of the study was to examine perceptions surrounding the impact of non-adoption of social media on morale, and to explore the consequences of digital inequality. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative method, in-depth interviews were conducted with a small sample comprising six key informants at the University of Limpopo Libraries. Findings The findings suggest that non-adoption of social media has a negative influence on morale, and that it is a very necessary tool required for interaction with students as well as promotion and marketing of the library’s resources. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited to one academic library in South Africa situated in a rural area. The research suggests that more academic libraries in rural areas be studied to ascertain if geographical location and finance are barriers to social media adoption. Originality/value This study addresses non-adoption of social media and suggests ways to improve employee morale and retention. The research contributes to current research.

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Mohlakwana, Dibuleng, and Janneke Mostert. "SOUTH AFRICAN PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY SERVICES: A STATUS REPORT." Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies 33, no. 3 (February 8, 2016): 145–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/242.

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Parliamentary libraries can play a significant role in the information behaviour of parliamentarians. With the exception of the Library of National Parliament, also known as the Library and Information Unit, in Cape Town, South Africa, the other nine South African parliamentary libraries are relatively new institutions that mostly resulted from the democratic processes that took place in the country in 1994. The Library of National Parliament services the National Assembly, while the other nine parliamentary libraries service the provincial legislatures. Initial status reports compiled in 2004 and 2007 indicated limited and very traditional services and sources in many of the parliamentary libraries. Five years later, an attempt was made to establish if improvements and innovations had been implemented in the parliamentary libraries to serve parliamentarians optimally. A quantitative survey was carried out among all ten parliamentary libraries using a questionnaire. The major findings were that although most of the libraries were offering the same kind of services, very few innovative services had been introduced. A steady increase in online journals, newspapers and databases was observed, thereby indicating a shift towards incorporating digital content and making information available online. A few of the libraries had introduced technology to their services by way of a library portal, Facebook presence, or by using a library blog. Recommendations include: establishing a consortium among the parliamentary libraries to enable information sharing; extending services to a wider clientele; and establishing a platform through the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) where issues and challenges can be discussed.

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Matlatse, Refiloe, Heila Pienaar, and Martie Van Deventer. "Mobilising a Nation: RDM Training and Education in South Africa." International Journal of Digital Curation 12, no. 2 (May 18, 2018): 299–310. http://dx.doi.org/10.2218/ijdc.v12i2.579.

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The South African Network of Data and Information Curation Communities (NeDICC) was formed to promote the development and use of standards and best practices among South African data stewards and data librarians (NeDICC, 2015). The steering committee has members from various South African HEIs and research councils. As part of their service offerings NeDICC arranges seminars, workshops and conferences to promote awareness regarding digital curation. NeDICC has contributed to the increase in awareness, and growth of knowledge, on the subject of digital and data curation in South Africa (Kahn et al.,2014).NeDICC members are involved in the UP M.IT and Continued Professional Development training, and serve as external examiners for the UCT M.Phil in Digital Curation degree. NeDICC is responsible for the Research Data Management track at the annual e-Research conference in SA1and develops an annual training-focussed programme to provide workshop opportunities with both SA and foreign trainers. This paper specifically addresses the efforts by this community to mobilise and upskill South African librarians so that they would be willing and able to provide the necessary RDM services that would strengthen the national data effort. 1eResearch conference: http://www.eresearch.ac.za/

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Ocholla, Dennis N., and Lyudmila Ocholla. "Readiness of academic libraries in South Africa to research, teaching and learning support in the Fourth Industrial Revolution." Library Management 41, no. 6/7 (July 3, 2020): 355–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/lm-04-2020-0067.

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PurposeIn 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.Design/methodology/approachBesides 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.FindingsThe 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.Research limitations/implicationsIn 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.Practical implicationsThe 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.Social implicationsThe trends, framework and 4IR representations in the study can inform theory and practice in LIS, particularly in Africa.Originality/valueLinking 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.

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Polak, Fiona, and Athol Leach. "DEVELOPING GUIDELINES FOR SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC LIBRARIANS." Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies 32, no. 3 (September 30, 2016): 69–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/1677.

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Music librarians must have knowledge of the copyright laws which govern the transferring of music from the old analogue form to the new digital formats. These laws were a particular concern of the South African Music Archive Project (SAMAP) which aimed to create an online resource for indigenous South African music particularly that of musicians suppressed during the apartheid years. Polakâ€™s (2009) study was an offshoot of SAMAP. This article draws on her study and identifies the specific problems encountered by music librarians with regard to digital copyright law pertaining to music. The guiding theoretical framework is based on the Berne Convention (2014) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty (1996) which provide the overarching international framework for guiding copyright. The literature review focuses on the international and national legislation; copyright in original recordings; duration of copyright; fair use, the public domain and information commons; copyright and fair dealing; and the South African Copyright Act (No. 98 of 1978). A survey conducted by e-mail identified problem areas experienced by the music librarians regarding the digital music copyright laws in South Africa. Two sets of guidelines for South African music librarians were formulated using their responses and the literature reviewed, and recommendations are made.

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Naicker, Vinesh, and Brett Cohen. "A life cycle assessment of e-books and printed books in South Africa." Journal of Energy in Southern Africa 27, no. 2 (July 20, 2016): 68. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2413-3051/2016/v27i2a1343.

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This paper presents the results of a study comparing the life cycle environmental impacts and cumulative energy demands of reading printed books (print system) with those of reading e-books from an Apple Air iPad (digital system), with a specific focus on production of books and use of both options in South Africa. The two systems were compared using the ReCiPe midpoint and cumulative energy demand methods. The findings, which are consistent with international findings, demonstrate that the print system has lower impacts than the digital system in the impact categories of freshwater eutrophication, freshwater ecotoxicity, marine ecotoxicity and metal depletion, whilst the digital system has lower impacts in the categories of climate change, ozone depletion, terrestrial acidification, marine eutrophication, human toxicity, photochemical oxidant formation, particulate matter formation, terrestrial ecotoxicity, ionising radiation, agricultural land occupation, urban land occupation, natural land transformation, water depletion and fossil depletion. The major processes contributing to energy demand and environmental impacts of the print system were paper production and printing. For the digital system the major contributing processes were the production of the iPad and e-book reading. Coal-based electricity and coal-miningrelated activities featured prominently in both systems, affecting environmental impacts and energy demand of products and services in South Africa. A change in the electricity mix to be less coal-intensive reduced the impacts of both systems. Finally, the products demonstrate that relatively few additional readers result in printed books becoming preferable to e-books in almost all impact categories, suggesting the need to consider housing print books in libraries to reduce their relative environmental impacts.

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Bradshaw, York W. "Using Information Technology to Create Global Classrooms: Benefits and Ethical Dilemmas." International Review of Information Ethics 7 (September 1, 2007): 332–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.29173/irie36.

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The global digital divide represents one of the most significant examples of international inequality. In North America and Western Europe, nearly 70% of citizens use the Internet on a regular basis, whereas in Africa less than 4% do so. Such inequality impacts business and trade, online education and libraries, telemedicine and health resources, and political information and e-government. In response, a group of educators and community leaders in South Africa and the United States have used various information technologies to create a ?global classroom? that connects people in the two countries. University students, high school students, and other citizens communicate via Internet exchanges, video conferencing, and digital photo essays. The project has produced a number of tangible benefits and it has developed a model for reducing inequality in global education, at least for those institutions with the technological resources to participate. We also present several recommendations for how to expand the initiative and thereby increase the number of people who can benefit from it.

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Tarusikirwa, Vimbai L., Honest Machekano, Reyard Mutamiswa, Frank Chidawanyika, and Casper Nyamukondiwa. "Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on the “Offensive” in Africa: Prospects for Integrated Management Initiatives." Insects 11, no. 11 (November 6, 2020): 764. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects11110764.

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The South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) has aggressively invaded the African continent. Since its first detection in North Africa in Morocco and Tunisia in 2008, it has successfully invaded the entire southern, eastern and western Africa, where it has been on the offensive, causing significant damage to Solanaceous food crops. While control of this prolific invader is primarily based on conventional synthetic pesticides, this form of control is consistently losing societal approval owing to (1) pesticide resistance development and consequential loss of field efficacy; (2) growing public health concerns; (3) environmental contamination and loss of biological diversity and its associated ecological services; and (4) unsustainable costs, particularly for resource-poor African farmers. As such, more ecologically sound pest management strategies, e.g., the use of natural substances (NSs), may offer a more sustainable approach to tackling this offensive. A systematic literature search through digital libraries and online databases (JSTOR, PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Google Scholar) was conducted using predetermined keywords on T. absoluta, e.g., South American tomato pinworm. We use this to explain the invasion of T. absoluta in Africa, citing mechanisms facilitating African invasion and exploring the potential of its control using diverse biological control agents, natural and low-risk substances. Specifically, we explore how botanicals, entomopathogens, semiochemicals, predators, parasitoids, host plant resistance, sterile insect technique and others have been spatially employed to control T. absoluta and discuss the potential of these control agents in African landscapes using more integrated approaches. We discuss the use of NSs as assets to general insect pest control, some potential associated liabilities and explain the potential use and barriers to adoption in African systems from a legislative, economic, ecological and social standpoint.

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Zell, Hans M. "Reference Sources." African Book Publishing Record 44, no. 4 (November 22, 2018): 363–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/abpr-2018-0012.

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Abstract No less than three international meetings on publishing in Africa have taken place recently, which have been followed with detailed action plawns. Among many other recommendations, calls for action to find solutions to perennial problems, as well as discussions focusing on sectorial innovation and revitalization of the African book industries, pwarticipants in all three meetings were strongly urged to start collecting and disseminating book industry data. It is true that reliable figures of book publishing output for the continent of Africa do not exist at the present time, with the exception of a very small number of countries, notably South Africa and Morocco. Meantime the state of African national bibliographies, which can form the groundwork of book industry data, presents a picture of neglect for the most part, with many national bibliographies seriously in arrears, currently dormant, or having ceased publication altogether. Only a small number are accessible in digital formats. Book publishing data and book production statistics are important elements in measuring the growth and vitality of indigenous publishing in any part of the world. In the absence of such data for most of the African continent, there is a need for research, analysis, documentation, and systematic gathering of current, reliable data and statistics on the whole book sector in Africa. However, there are huge challenges and complexities in the goal of collecting data for book industry surveys, which must not be underestimated. Many questions will need to be asked: for example, how is data going to be collected and analysed; what will be the parameters; and what are going to be the sources and the methods? Who should be responsible for undertaking the research and the compilation of such book industry data; and, crucially, who is going to fund the research and the data gathering process on a systematic and ongoing basis? Collecting book industry data is closely interrelated with the publication of national bibliographies and, in addition to examining the issues and challenges relating to the creation of book industry statistics, this paper also provides an analysis of the current state of national bibliographies in Africa, as well as linked matters such as legal deposit legislation, and compliance of legal deposit. Most national libraries and bibliographic agencies in Africa continue to operate under severe constraints, and have been chronically underfunded by their governments for the past four decades or more. An analysis of the current status of African national bibliographies sadly presents a dismal picture. It is unlikely that reliable data for the African book industries can be collected and published without the input and full cooperation of national libraries or bibliographic agencies. There is equally an urgent need for much more active collaboration and interaction between the agencies producing national bibliographies with publishers and book trade associations in each African country. Any attempts to revive the fortunes of African national libraries, and the resumption of publication of high quality and timely national bibliographies, will amount to a formidable task. This paper offers a range of suggestions and recommendations how the situation might be addressed and improved, but also points out that regular compilation of a national bibliography, and effective maintenance of legal deposit, necessitates adequate staff in terms of both numbers and expertise, which is not the case at this time.

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Matlala, Mpubane E. "The Role of the Legal Deposit Library in Bridging the Digital Divide: A Case Study of the Msunduzi Library in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa." Research in Economics and Management 5, no. 3 (August 15, 2020): p151. http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/rem.v5n3p151.

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In the 21st Century, the pace of globalization and the growth of Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities, such as computers and the Internet are fuelling human advancement. The development of ICT applications plays a vital role in providing information access. Access to the Internet is not enough, but ICT applications and the intellectual knowledge, expertise and skills to use them to find relevant information and solve problems is what is essential. It is critical that people who have access are in a better position as compared to those who lack access. This gap is known as the “digital divide”. In this digital era of information, people who do not have access to the Internet are at a disadvantage. This paper examines the role of a Legal Deposit Library in managing the Digital Divide in the Pietermaritzburg area. This is informed by the idea that libraries play a significant role in helping to bridge the digital divide by providing free access to the Internet and other ICT tools to users. It is well known that the library is the only place where people can access free information through ICTs without any costs. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the collection of data. Data is therefore, obtained through self-administered questionnaires, interviews, and observation. This triangulation of methods of data collection is designed to increase the validity and reliability of the results. The findings indicated that the Msunduzi library plays a key role in the delivery of digital inclusion activities, community engagement and social inclusion. The results indicated that while the Msunduzi library has made a considerable effort to ensure provincial-wide access to ICT, which currently constitutes an effective instrument for meeting information needs, a considerable number of challenges still exist. The factors impeding easy access are unearthed in this article and therefore, the paper recommends that the public library should engage on more outreach programs in order to include more people of the communities as it is clear that, ICT tools are the requirements for accessing information and participating in the global knowledge system because the ability to access ICT tools has become important to individuals to connect economically, politically, and socially with others in the world.

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Johnson, Glynnis, and Jaya Raju. "Knowledge and Skills Competencies for Humanities Librarians Supporting Postgraduate Students." Libri 68, no. 4 (December 19, 2018): 331–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/libri-2018-0033.

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Abstract This paper reports on an aspect of a 2016 masters study which addresses the research question: what knowledge and skills do humanities librarians require to effectively provide support to postgraduate students in the digital age? The study adopted a qualitative approach using a multiple case study design, within a constructivist paradigm, to respond to the research question, with core competency theory used to provide theoretical support. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with purposively sampled librarians and postgraduate students from Stellenbosch University, the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape, all of which are situated in the Western Cape of South Africa. A significant finding of the study is that a mixture of discipline-specific knowledge and skills, generic skills and personal attributes are required by humanities librarians to effectively support postgraduate students, especially in the current digital age. The study presents a knowledge and skills framework that could be used to ascertain humanities librarians’ current knowledge and skills as well as establish areas for further knowledge and skills acquisition.

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Lediga, Mamathole Margaret, and Madeleine C. Fombad. "The use of information and communication technologies in public libraries in South Africa as tools for bridging the digital divide: the case of the Kempton Park public library." Public Library Quarterly 37, no. 3 (June 7, 2018): 296–305. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2018.1471964.

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Igun, Stella E. "Digital Libraries in Africa." International Journal of Digital Library Systems 3, no. 2 (2012): 13–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/jdls.2012040102.

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Tsebe, John, and Douwe Drijfhout. "Libraries without Walls: Linking Libraries in South Africa." Alexandria: The Journal of National and International Library and Information Issues 18, no. 2 (August 2006): 97–102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/095574900601800205.

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Anyaoku, Ebele N., Anthonia U. Nwabueze Echedom, and Ebikabowei Emmanuel Baro. "Digital preservation practices in university libraries." Digital Library Perspectives 35, no. 1 (February 11, 2019): 41–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/dlp-10-2017-0041.

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Purpose The purpose of the study is to investigate the digital preservation practices in institutional repositories (IRs) in Africa. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from the IRs developed in university libraries in Africa, and it was done in two phases. The phases are website investigation to identify the university libraries in Africa that have developed IR and online questionnaire. Findings Results from the study showed that the majority of IRs in Africa used DSpace software to manage their digital contents, and more than half of the IRs engage in information migration. The study also revealed that the majority of the responding institutions provide long-term digital preservation in their IR. Interestingly, the majority of the IRs has developed digital preservation policy to guide the implementation of digital preservation for IR contents. Finally, the majority of the respondents indicated that they do not have long-term funding and lack the necessary technical staff with required skills to handle and manage the IR. Research limitations/implications Because of language barriers, data were collected from only universities in English speaking countries in Africa. Practical implications The findings of this study will make librarians in universities in Africa and other developing countries understand the key issues relating to digital preservation and longevity. Originality/value The findings of this study will inform information professionals, librarians in developing countries that are planning to create IRs and provide long-term digital preservation of electronic resources in their institution.

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Westra, P. E., and R. B. Zaaiman. "The Two National Libraries of South Africa." Alexandria: The Journal of National and International Library and Information Issues 3, no. 2 (August 1991): 101–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/095574909100300204.

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Drewett, Wendy. "LIBRARIES AND EDUCATION IN BLACK SOUTH AFRICA." New Library World 89, no. 12 (December 1988): 225–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/eb038763.

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Kavulya, Joseph M. "Digital libraries and development in Sub‐Saharan Africa." Electronic Library 25, no. 3 (June 12, 2007): 299–315. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02640470710754814.

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Owusu-Ansah, Christopher M. "Conceptions of digital libraries: an African perspective." Digital Library Perspectives 36, no. 3 (June 1, 2020): 231–47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/dlp-12-2019-0045.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper was to explore African conceptions of digital libraries from the perspective of the historical literature. This paper argues that the concept of digital libraries is a western creation and that there was a need for developing societies to develop their own conceptions to guide their own digital library development agenda. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a literature review. The paper makes use of publicly-available literature on the theme of digital libraries from both the Western and African perspectives. The search terms used were “digital libraries”, “Africa digital libraries”, “electronic libraries”, “information communication technologies/libraries” and “institutional repositories”. A total of 89 publications were examined for this purpose. Findings The analysis revealed that most of the initial digital library initiatives in Africa emanated from the west with African countries benefiting from international initiatives to expand access to information resources to bridge the global digital divide. However, due to a number of contextual challenges such as lack of sustainable funding and inadequate capacity and strategy, the development of digital libraries was hampered. Thus, even though digital libraries enjoy considerable goodwill, there remain negative conceptions of digital libraries in Africa. Practical implications Information institutions in African countries must evolve a unified conception of digital libraries as this would largely drive the direction of digital library development towards achieving the developmental goals of the continent. Originality/value The study applies the attributes of innovation to explain contextual factors shaping African conceptions of digital libraries.

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Ononogbo, Raphael U. "Performing Interlibrary Loans with Libraries in South Africa." Journal of Interlibrary Loan & Information Supply 2, no. 2 (March 4, 1992): 13–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/j472v02n02_04.

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Lor, Peter J. "Libraries Apart: National Libraries in South Africa's Homelands." Alexandria: The Journal of National and International Library and Information Issues 4, no. 3 (December 1992): 213–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/095574909200400306.

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During the late 1970s and early 1980s national libraries or national library services were established in South Africa's ten homelands as a by-product of the apartheid policy. These libraries are characterized by a fairly uniform legal and organizational structure known as the ‘Vink-Frylinck model’. An evaluation of what the national libraries have achieved, based on annual reports and published statistics, indicates that most have made only modest progress. This can be attributed to a lack of qualified staff, money and space and, more fundamentally, to certain weaknesses in the Vink-Frylinck model. At root the problems must be attributed to the homelands policy which, in the case of the homeland libraries, had the effect of isolating them in a depressing cycle of inadequacy and lack of recognition while insulating the maily White librarians in mainstream South Africa from the realities of rural African librarianship.

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Zemskov, Andrey. "Libraries 4.0 and bookless libraries. IATUL-2017 Conference in South Tyrol." Scientific and Technical Libraries, no. 11 (November 1, 2017): 47–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.33186/1027-3689-2017-11-47-59.

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The author analyzes and reviews in brief the latest annual conference of the International Association of University Libraries (IATUL) (June 18-22, 2017, Bolzano, Italy), held on the premises of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. Main trends in academic and research libraries within the conference subject scope are discussed, e. g. raw data management, including open data technology; digital transformation; impact on university research activities; libraries and learning; active support of digital literacy education, transforming and adapting library technologies to advanced technological requirements; transformation of library physical space to provide convenient and attractive space for students, for teaching and learning and independent work and testing. The author emphasizes that several newest library buildings are designed for bookless technology.

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J. Strand, Karla, and Johannes Britz. "The evolving role of public libraries in South Africa in addressing information poverty." Library Management 39, no. 6-7 (August 13, 2018): 364–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/lm-08-2017-0072.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the historical development of libraries in South Africa against a backdrop of poverty and social inequality. In particular, this paper illustrates how the development of libraries in South Africa both reflected and influenced information poverty and has as its goal to increase awareness of the role of libraries in the alleviation of information poverty. Design/methodology/approach The information in this paper is based on doctoral research completed by the author who investigated the role of libraries in the alleviation of information poverty in South Africa. The methodology for the research included two case studies, interviews, examination of library records, and observation. An extensive review of the professional literature and recorded histories provided imperative context for that research and this paper. Findings Findings indicate that libraries can play an important role in the alleviation of information poverty in South Africa. Libraries are underutilized in this role and in order to increase their capacity in addressing information poverty, one should consider the historical circumstances behind the dispossession of library services. Understanding the development of libraries in South Africa and sociopolitical ramifications of this development can encourage and inform greater participation of libraries in the alleviation of information poverty in the future. Originality/value This paper compiles the work and findings of previous studies on the history of South African libraries. The information provided here offers an accessible and efficient history of libraries in South Africa. In so doing, it provides context that is invaluable to the understanding of how the development of libraries throughout time can have sociopolitical effects on the people and their circumstances. The paper also encourages increased understanding of the value and purpose of libraries in combating information poverty in South Africa.

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Verbeek, Jennifer. "Racially segregated school libraries in KwaZulu/Natal, South Africa." Journal of librarianship 18, no. 1 (January 1986): 23–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/096100068601800102.

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Mojapelo, Samuel Maredi. "Challenges faced by libraries in a democratic South Africa." Information Development 34, no. 4 (May 26, 2017): 408–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0266666917712337.

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Community libraries are crucial for people to have access to information to satisfy their multiple needs. As custodians of information and knowledge in diverse spheres, they play a role in the socio-economic development of nations. This article attempts to investigate challenges faced by libraries in three different settings in post-apartheid South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative research design. The users, librarians and a well-placed official of the relevant department were interviewed. Convenience sampling was used to select users and librarians while purposive sampling was used to select an official. Face-to-face interviews and observation and a checklist were used to collect data. Senior officials of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture need to study challenges revealed by the findings and to take action to remedy the situation.

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Buba Zirra, Peter, Alhassan Jamilu Ibrahim, and Nuraini Abdulganiyyi. "A Review of Digital Libraries and Their Impact in Africa." American Journal of Computer Science and Technology 2, no. 4 (2019): 60. http://dx.doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcst.20190204.13.

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Mncedisi Willie, Michael, and Phakamile Nkomo. "Digital Transformation in Healthcare – South Africa Context." Global Journal of Immunology and Allergic Diseases 7, no. 1 (October 10, 2019): 1–5. http://dx.doi.org/10.31907/2310-6980.2019.07.01.

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Irons, Alastair, and Jacques Ophoff. "Aspects of Digital Forensics in South Africa." Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management 11 (2016): 273–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.28945/3576.

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This paper explores the issues facing digital forensics in South Africa. It examines particular cyber threats and cyber threat levels for South Africa and the challenges in addressing the cybercrimes in the country through digital forensics. The paper paints a picture of the cybercrime threats facing South Africa and argues for the need to develop a skill base in digital forensics in order to counter the threats through detection of cybercrime, by analyzing cybercrime reports, consideration of current legislation, and an analysis of computer forensics course provision in South African universities. The paper argues that there is a need to develop digital forensics skills in South Africa through university programs, in addition to associated training courses. The intention in this paper is to promote debate and discussion in order to identify the cyber threats to South Africa and to encourage the development of a framework to counter the threats – through legislation, high tech law enforcement structures and protocols, digital forensics education, digital forensics skills development, and a public and business awareness of cybercrime threats.

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Juma, Iddi W., Justus Wamukoya, and Caroline Wekullo. "THE ROLE OF DIGITAL LIBRARIES IN BRIDGING THE KNOWLEDGE GAP IN AFRICA." Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies 32, no. 1 (October 4, 2016): 64–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/1700.

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Digital libraries have a huge potential towards offsetting the knowledge deficit in many parts of the world and Africa in particular. This article reports on a study aimed at exploring the status of digital libraries and the contributions they have made towards bridging the knowledge gap in Africa. The study examined the origin, growth and current status of digital libraries; identified critical issues surrounding their existence; and investigated the level to which they had helped to reduce disparities in access to knowledge and promote the quality of education and research in Africa. It also explored the challenges met in the development, management and use of these libraries with a view to improving them. Data collection and analysis was largely based on a review of the extant literature as well as an analysis of the statistical data collected from a number of organisations and websites. The key finding was that although there had been some efforts in Africa to harness opportunities created by the Internet and digital libraries through research initiatives, the continent still trailed the rest of the world in the actual use of these resources. It was recommended that African governments and higher education institutions (HEIs) create an environment that is conducive for further development of these libraries and facilitate them to contribute more effectively to information and cultural content. There was also a need to increase investments in the digital technologies to reduce the existing disparities and barriers to universal access to the knowledge resources.

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Igun, S. E. "Bridging of Digital Divide in Africa." International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education 7, no. 1 (January 2011): 11–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/jicte.2011010102.

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This paper discusses the gap created by an international digital divide in Africa. The paper focuses on bridging the digital divide that exists between the developed countries and Africa, especially in the use of the internet and Global System Mobile (GSM) communication services. Issues like bridging the international digital divide, digital divide and Africa, bridging the digital divide in African’s universities and libraries, the revolution of GSM in Africa, and effects of government policies and regulations, challenges facing Internet Providers (ISPs), benefits of GSM services in Africa are also discussed. In this paper, the author reveals the commendable penetration of GSM but poor connectivity of the internet in Africa. Problems hindering penetration of the internet and GSM in Africa are mentioned. Recommendations that lead to bridging of this internet gap are highlighted.

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Mhlongo, Maned. "Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge through Community Involvement in Public Libraries in South Africa." Libri 70, no. 4 (November 18, 2020): 291–303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/libri-2019-0194.

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AbstractPublic libraries exist to serve the information needs of communities, meaning their services need to be reflective of those served communities. However, the literature points to under-usage of libraries among indigenous communities in South Africa, and suggests that the perceived irrelevance of libraries could be a contributing factor. The argument made in this article is for the involvement of communities in planning and implementing services, to enhance awareness, relevance and use of libraries. Such involvement would also provide a space for communities to contribute content based on their indigenous knowledge. In this qualitative multiple case study of purposively selected provincial library services in South Africa, data were collected using semi-structured interviews with library heads. The data were coded and categorised according to themes derived from the stated research questions. The findings show a disjuncture between the interpretation and application of the concept of community involvement – a misalignment that has a negative impact on the ability of libraries to provide inclusive services. A framework for community involvement is suggested as a way of enhancing the synergy between community information needs and public library service provision. The proposed framework identifies indigenous communities, libraries and archival institutions as key stakeholders in harnessing indigenous knowledge. It is recommended that a similar study be conducted with community librarians where the nuances of communities can be unveiled, given that the current participants were heads of library services.

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Thurman, Chris. "Shakespeare.za: digital Shakespeares and education in South Africa." Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance 25, no. 1 (January 2, 2020): 49–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13569783.2019.1689111.

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Saunders, Christopher. "Digital imaging South Africa (DISA): a case study." Program 39, no. 4 (December 2005): 345–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00330330510627962.

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Bakkes, P. J. "Teaching digital systems in the South Africa context." IEEE Transactions on Education 42, no. 4 [+CDROM] (1999): 7 pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/13.804549.

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Mhlongo, Maned, and Patrick Ngulube. "Resource provision and access to indigenous knowledge in public libraries in South Africa." Information Development 36, no. 2 (April 11, 2019): 271–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0266666919841095.

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This paper is part of a larger qualitative multiple case study that sought to explore the integration of indigenous knowledge in public libraries in South Africa. The paper draws from semi-structured interviews with selected heads of provincial library services in South Africa to determine the extent to which public libraries provide targeted resources to enhance access to IK. Results reveal that that there are no targeted resources to facilitate access to IK. Concerted efforts to facilitate access by increasing the number of libraries were noted. Notwithstanding these efforts, there seems to be a paucity of IK, which has implication for inclusive services. It is recommended that libraries look beyond enabling access to the Internet but also explore how they can further optimise ICT usage as a way of facilitating access to IK through capturing, organising and disseminating knowledge of indigenous communities.

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Hart, Genevieve, and Sandy Zinn. "The Drive for School Libraries in South Africa: Intersections and Connections." Library Trends 64, no. 1 (2015): 19–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/lib.2015.0035.

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Nassimbeni, Mary. "Poverty and development in South Africa and the role of libraries." Journal of librarianship 22, no. 3 (July 1990): 161–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/096100069002200303.

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September, Peter E. "Public libraries and community information needs in a changing South Africa." Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 25, no. 2 (June 1993): 71–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/096100069302500203.

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Lor, Peter. "What Prospects for National Libraries in Africa? A South African Perspective." Alexandria: The Journal of National and International Library and Information Issues 15, no. 3 (December 2003): 141–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/095574900301500302.

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Foligno, Silvia. "Publishing in South Africa." LOGOS 26, no. 3 (November 14, 2015): 31–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1878-4712-11112081.

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South Africa is an emerging market for publishing; it has a number of small and medium-sized local publishers but is dominated by publishing groups and multinationals that import international trends. Along with textbooks, imported trade books are the heart of South African publishing. The major obstacles the industry faces are linked to the poor distribution network as well as the lack of access to financial resources for local publishers, and a readership characterized by the plurality of official languages and an educational gap left over from the social inequalities of the apartheid era. Digital publishing, although not yet thriving, appears to be a promising opportunity to deal with both production costs and distribution and may provide a pathway towards the democratization of reading. A number of commercial platforms and non-profit initiatives are already in place in South Africa to support the development of the publishing market.

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Moyane, Smangele P., Luyanda Dube, Ntando Nkomo, and Patrick Ngulube. "Competitive intelligence as a coping strategy for academic libraries in South Africa." Library Management 41, no. 6/7 (July 10, 2020): 593–606. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/lm-05-2020-0083.

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PurposeThis study examined the extent to which public academic libraries in South Africa coped with the changing information environment by using competitive intelligence (CI) to attain competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted positivism as the main philosophical lens and also incorporated qualitative elements to augment the quantitative data through a survey research design. Questionnaires were e-mailed to 25 directors of public academic libraries in South Africa and 17 were returned, yielding a 68% response rate. Attempts were made to reach to the 25 directors through semi-structured telephonic interviews, and only eight responded some through their representatives, yielding a 32% response rate. Using two instruments permitted the triangulation of data. A noted limitation of the study is that some library directors neither responded to the questionnaire nor the interview.FindingsFindings revealed that various competitive intelligence techniques were employed; however, their implementation was not formalised. Competitiveness was driven by various factors such as rivalries in the information value chain; relevance; financial and budgetary constraints; changing user expectations and evolving technology.Originality/valueThis study is novel because there is a dearth of literature on implementation and use of competitive intelligence in academic libraries in South Africa.

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Pillay, Yogan, and Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi. "Digital health in South Africa: innovating to improve health." BMJ Global Health 3, Suppl 2 (April 2018): e000722. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-000722.

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Bosch, Tanja. "Digital journalism and online public spheres in South Africa." Communicatio 36, no. 2 (August 2010): 265–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02500167.2010.485374.

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Farao, Jaydon. "Digital health communication in South Africa during COVID-19." Global Health Innovation 3, no. 1 (May 28, 2020): 1–3. http://dx.doi.org/10.15641/ghi.v3i1.891.

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Neustetter, Marcus. "Analogue and Digital Anecdotes and Artworks from South Africa." Third Text 23, no. 3 (May 2009): 323–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09528820902954952.

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Williams, Marion Lucille. "The adoption of Web 2.0 technologies in academic libraries: A comparative exploration." Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 52, no. 1 (August 2, 2018): 137–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0961000618788725.

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This paper addresses the adoption and non-adoption of communication methods such as social media and explores the implementation of Web 2.0 technologies and their use in academic libraries. I interviewed 16 library employees from six academic university libraries in the Flanders region of Belgium and in South Africa. I explored five academic university libraries in the urban regions of Flanders and South Africa and one situated in a rural region of South Africa. This article discusses the benefits of using social media as a communication tool to engage with students. The results demonstrate that ‘ease of use’ was portrayed as a beneficial construct and has a positive influence on behavioural intention and use of Web 2.0 technologies. A comparison on the adoption of social media between the two countries indicate that financial resources, infrastructure and management support are crucial determining factors in service delivery.

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Mojapelo, Samuel, and Luyanda Dube. "SCHOOL LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT VS POLICY PROVISION: DIVERGENCE OR CONVERGENCE?" Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies 32, no. 4 (September 29, 2016): 1–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/1646.

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A policy and legal framework for school libraries is a guiding framework for the provision, development and management of school libraries. Similarly, it is a lever that standardises school library development, management and practice. Although the existence of a policy does not guarantee the development of efficient and functional school libraries, its inherent value cannot be overemphasised. It is widely documented that in South Africa, only 7.2 per cent of public schools have functional school libraries, which are crucial to enrich the quality of teaching and learning and support learners and teachers. The aim of this study was, firstly, to analyse the legal and policy provision for school libraries in South Africa; and secondly, to examine the state of school libraries in Limpopo province, South Africa. The study further sought to establish whether there is divergence or convergence between policy provision and the status of school libraries in Limpopo. The study adopted a quantitative research paradigm and triangulated utilising questionnaires and document analysis as instruments to collect data. The study established that there is a regime of policies related to school libraries, most of which are still in draft form. Furthermore, the study confirmed that provision of policy does not necessarily translate into an efficient school library system. The distinct divergence means that there is no correlation between policy provision and practice. The study recommends that the existing school library policies should be streamlined, adopted and implemented to scale up the development of efficient and functional school libraries in Limpopo.

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Journal articles on the topic 'Digital libraries – South Africa'

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