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Information Technology Skills and Competencies of Staff Members in the Information
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... Various studies investigated academic library staff challenges regarding information technology used to render library and information services (Daramola 2016;Omeluzor 2014;Omosekejimi, Eghoworo & Ogo 2015). The significant challenges encountered by the library staff are lack of information technology skills and competencies, lack of search skills, interacting with the library webpage, recurrent power failure due to load shedding (Dube 2016;Dube 2021). ...
... Academic libraries are making efforts to meet their clients' information needs and make certain that they can obtain information resources online, but they still face numerous challenges. One of the challenges is that library clients are trained to be self-sufficient in accessing and retrieving online information resources but cannot still recognise if the information they have accessed or used is part of the library's collection (Dube 2016). In this regard, library staff needs to train library clients to instil self-sufficiency. ...
This article explores the challenges encountered by academic library staff regarding the handling or processing of online requests from library clients. The researcher outlined the challenges identified by the respondents and provided suitable recommendations. This study employed a quantitative approach that enabled the researcher to generalise the findings. Data was intended to be collected from 39 library staff, but 27 responded. The questionnaire that comprised of closed and open-ended questions was used as an instrument of data collection. The findings revealed that most of the academic libraries had challenges with information technology tools that are used to process online requests as they are mostly offline. However, the respondents indicated many challenges that they encounter, and expect that the library management take appropriate action to enhance service delivery most especially in the area of information needs of the library clients.
... The implementation of Information Technologies (IT) in academic libraries has freed library staff from repetitive manual tasks (Dube, 2016). Activities that have been effectively automated are those related to the issuing, retrieval, and return of books, which include returning them to the shelves. ...
... Library staff working in an academic library that operate in an ODeL environment must have knowledge and expertise to ensure that the requested information resources are provided to the library clients within turnaround time. Library clients in need of information resources for teaching, learning and research are required to follow a specific procedure to engage with the request and delivery services (Dube, 2016). These procedures briefly include the ability to search the library catalogues, requesting information resources through the library catalogue and the ability to determine whether the required information resources are available or on loan. ...
This article aims to present the Open Distance eLearning library processes for requesting information resources using the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC). OPAC is known as a platform used by library clients to check the availability of information resources from the entire library collection. ODeL libraries also use the OPAC, not as a library catalogue, but as a portal for requesting information resources. The processes presented in this articles starts from when the library clients request information resources when the requests reach the library/library staff, how the online requests are handled when received, how they are sent to the requesters, how the information resources are sent back to the library after use by the requesters and the process of receiving the returned information resources.
... As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, library users are encouraged to use online requests for information resources as most academic libraries restrict library entry. Online requests for information resources are done through the library catalogs and require library users to be tech savvy (Dube, 2016). Balachandar and Ramesh (2019) indicate that information technology tools are widely used in academic libraries to facilitate information resource provision to eliminate duplication of efforts, improve the speed of operations, increase access to information resources and improve the quality of information services. ...
Purpose
This paper aimed to determine the extent to which academic libraries and information services were extended due to the emergence of COVID-19 in the Gauteng Province, South Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
Founded on a pragmatism paradigm, the sequential explanatory research design was adopted to engage with participants and respondents on their experience of library services extensions to support users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using online questionnaires and interviews. Cluster and purposive sampling were used and data for the quantitative part were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), whilst qualitative data were analyzed manually.
Findings
Findings revealed that academic libraries operating in a higher education environment provided extensive support to remote users during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was done through the utilization of a variety of technology utilization, ranging from traditional e-mail support to the use of technology related to Artificial Intelligence such as the BOTsa, which is a Chatbot aimed to assist users in receiving speedy responses to library-related inquiries.
Originality/value
This study is unique in that it focuses on academic libraries that operate in higher education environments where support for achieving academic endeavors becomes imperative to ensure the smooth execution of teaching and learning activities within the restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adaptions and improvements to academic library services during and post-COVID-19 era were successful in ensuring that remote users could obtain similar services and access to information as was the case before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
... This practice saves time sending e-mails to the library staff that can only be answered during working days/hours. Furthermore, Dube (2016) and Ridwan (2015) observed that ICTs are beneficial to remote clients because they can access educational resources online, which is a proactive practice. ...
This paper identified the training strategies for distance education academic libraries that could improve remote clients’ access to information resources during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The positivism research paradigm anchored this study and employed a quantitative approach. Eighty-two (82) online questionnaire was sent to the library staff working in academic libraries that operate in a distance education environment in Gauteng Province of South Africa. The collected data were analyzed with frequency counts and percentages. The hypothesis was tested using multinomial logistic regression statistics. The findings revealed that academic libraries provided training through the library staff to ensure that remote clients cope with the technological advancement facilitated by the emergence of COVID-19. This study recommended that the library staff should consider training intervention in the areas that seem to be neglected, such as identifying information resources relevant to their information needs, introduction to library products and services, and introduction to reference techniques to facilitate the usage and access to information resources by the remote clients.
... The dependence on IT to fulfil the information needs of library clients seems to be an excellent initiative by academic libraries (Dube 2016); however, there are challenges encountered by both remote clients and library staff members. It is, therefore, fundamental for the library staff members to be skilled and competent to utilise IT tools to process and/or handle online requests for information resources to meet the information needs of remote clients successfully. ...
The convergence of technologies and emergence of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary modus of knowledge production justify the need for research that explores the disinterestedness or interconnectivity of the information science disciplines. The quantum leap in knowledge production, increasing demand for information and knowledge, changing information needs, information governance, and proliferation of digital technologies in the era of ubiquitous digital technologies justify research that employs a holistic approach in x-raying the challenges of managing information in an increasingly knowledge- and technology-driven dispensation. The changing nature of knowledge production for sustainable development, along with trends and theory for enhanced knowledge coordination, deserve focus in current times.
The Handbook of Research on Records and Information Management Strategies for Enhanced Knowledge Coordination draws input from experts involved in records management, information science, library science, memory, and digital technology, creating a vanguard compendium of novel trends and praxis. While highlighting a vast array of topics under the scope of library science, information science, knowledge transfer, records management, and more, this book is ideally designed for knowledge and information managers, library and information science schools, policymakers, practitioners, stakeholders, administrators, researchers, academicians, and students interested in records and information management.
... Consequently, the emergence of IT in academic libraries is debated based on the innovation of services in academic libraries, the influence of IT on the library staff and library clients, and the contemporary settings and/or circumstances. The dependence on IT to fulfil the information needs of library clients seems to be an excellent initiative by academic libraries (Dube 2016); however, there are challenges encountered by both remote clients and library staff members. It is, therefore, fundamental for the library staff members to be skilled and competent to utilise IT tools to process and/or handle online requests for information resources to meet the information needs of remote clients successfully. ...
Academic libraries are now enduring a substantial shift, which is influenced by the advancement of information technology (IT) that has drastically changed the operating system of academic libraries. The changes have impacted significantly on the skills and competencies required of library staff. This chapter shed light on the background of modern academic libraries, the IT tools used by various academic libraries (for both remote clients and library staff) around the world to provide and access information resources and/or library and information services (LIS) to meet the information needs of remote clients. IT is becoming a tool in modern academic libraries designed to facilitate library operations to meet the information needs of academic library clients. In light of this, library staff is obliged to be equipped with IT skills and competencies to assist the institution to achieve its objectives by supporting teaching, learning, and research.
... (2011), Kolburun-Göçer ve Gökdaş (2014, Ni ve Chen (2016), Hançer ve Ataman (2006), Dun ve Cook Adamson (1997), Yıldız ve Yıldız (2015), Kuşat (2011), Aytes ve ark. (2006), Myers ve Gibson (1999, Knezek ve Christensen (2008), El-Dalahmeh (2017, Dube (2017), Bruque ve ark. (2008)'in çalışmaları da bu alanda öne çıkan çalışmalar olarak gösterilebilir. ...
Borderless library is a technologically empowered web-based library, which provides services to its user throughout computer networks. As the changes occurred in library environment, the library and information science professionals should be acquaintance with different skills. This paper tries to reflect some skills required for the library and information professionals working at IT environment and highlights on different programmes to enhance these skills among the professionals.
Contemporary libraries are under serious threat due to the increasing pressure of achieving higher level of performance in this competitive global environment. Academic libraries are facing many challenges posed by the contemporary environment, most of which are the result of ICT and digital revolution. The paper discusses the impact of emerging changes on academic libraries. It discusses the need for acquiring core competencies and new skills to manage the modern day academic libraries. It further discusses different sets of skills (generic, managerial and professional skills) required by LIS professionals to manage the contemporary change brought up by technology accelerated environment. The article emphasizes that acquisition of new sets of skills has become essential to survive in this technology-based environment.
Information is an indispensable for human development as air is Information is an indispensable for human development as air is essential for the survival of all living organisms on earth, including human beings. The pace of change brought about by new information technologies has a key effect on the way people live, work, and play worldwide. The increasing role played by information technology in the development of library services for an active reaction to the challenges of the information service providing. The paper attempts to discuss the fast development of Information Technology and its application in the library services. Today libraries are equipped to accomplish the newly Information Technology based services. Information Technology enabled services fulfill the information needs of the users at the right time in the right place to the right person.
The explosion of information & developments taking place in technology is replacing the old methods. This paper highlights the impact of information technology on education, library, benefits and challenges.
RPL is defined broadly as the principles and processes through which prior experiences, knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired outside the formal learning programme are recognised and assessed for purposes of certification, alternative access and admission, and further learning and development (South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) 2013). In this paper, I highlight the importance of an enabling environment in the development and implementation of RPL in library and information science (LIS) in South Africa. The SAQA RPL policy (2002) makes it explicit that "an enabling environment" (p. 18) demonstrating commitment to RPL is essential. It is evident from the document that unless proper policies, structures, and resources are allocated to a credible assessment process, it can easily become an area of contestation and conflict. In my study, I adopted a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods which involved the use of questionnaires and document analysis to collect data. I found that there are islands of good practice in terms of compliance with the legislative framework in implementing RPL in South African LIS schools. I recommend, among other things, that the Department of Higher Education (DHE) together with the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and SAQA conduct regular monitoring and evaluation processes of RPL implementation in LIS schools to encourage compliance with prevailing legislative frameworks. Further, periodic RPL accreditation processes could also be used to great effect to ensure that LIS schools comply, failing which, their accreditation to offer RPL services could be reviewed. This will help create an enabling environment, which is a prerequisite for an effective and credible recognition of the RPL process.
This article explains what is involved in qualitative field research and why
it is an appropriate method for the study of certain events and activities.
The article lists the social settings which are relevant to field research and
discusses their strengths and weaknesses. It also examines six of the most common
forms of qualitative field research designs or approaches and summarises the
sampling methods involved in this type of research. The features of theoretical
sampling are also discussed. The article concludes with a comprehensive
explanation of the stages involved in qualitative field research.