Research articles (Dept of Library and Information Studies)
Browse by
Recent Submissions
-
Bwalya, Kelvin Joseph (May 14, 2013)[more][less]
Abstract: The emergence of knowledge economies and extensive use and adoption of ICT in business entities have placed more pressure on governments to implement e-Government in their public service delivery platforms. For some of the governments, implementation of e-Government follows no explicit strategy but is done with a loosely coordinated approach. A properly designed e-Government implementation strategy with input from the local context is desired if implementation were to be deemed successful. Because of efficiencies brought about by the adoption and appropriate use of ICT in businesses and other private sector entities, e-Government is slowly becoming a sine qua non for responsive and transparent governance and is seen as one of the most important ingredients to national competitiveness. Using a desk literature review, this paper emphasises the different factors that should be considered when developing e-Government projects, especially in Africa. The paper discusses the basics of e-Government readiness in Zambia by analysing the different initiatives that are being put in place to encourage e-Government development, and analyses the balance between the back-end and front-end applications in public delivery platforms. The paper posits that a lot needs to be done if proliferation of e-Government applications was to be attained in Zambia and that future Zambia and that future e-Government strategies should be implemented within the realm of community informatics. This entails the application of ICT aimed at personal, social, economic, cultural and governance development of and within communities. It is anticipated that the adoption of a community informatics approach will enable the citizens to buy-in to the different e-Government applications and thereby guarantee continued usage. This paper presents factors which may act as reference points when e-Government strategies are being drawn for the SADC region. Description: A discussion paper URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1146 Files in this item: 1
Bwalya_Unpublished_2011.pdf (3.081Mb) -
Moahi, Kgomotso H. (May 14, 2013)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper outlines the initiatives the Government of Botswana has put in place with the aim to provide information access even to the most undeserved. The premise of the paper though, will be that in as much as there are many initiatives in place, there are still pockets of the population who do not get the infromation that they require in order to become a meaningful part of development in the country. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1145 Files in this item: 1
Moahi_Unpublished_2010.pdf (4.897Mb) -
Oladokun, Olugbade (May 14, 2013)[more][less]
Abstract: The desirability and usefulness of library and its services in any academic programmes is never a contentious issue as they promote quality in education. Success stories of programming and implementation of open and distance education programmes have been told in several parts of the world. Among other things, students in this system sit in their homes and work places to receive their teaching either through the web or hard copies of modulles. Library and information services including the teaching of lifelong information literacy skills (ILS) to distance learners are as well suppossed to be within their easy reach to meet their information needs. Yet for reasons of distance and dispersal, library and information services to the ubiquitous students may be fraught with lots of difficulties. But are these irredeemable? Lest distance learners continue to suffer the disadvantage of increasingly getting marginalised, a sizeable number of professional library associations in various sparts of the world enacted some regulations that guarantee a need to pay attention to their information needs. A lot of efforts, including building the capacity of students on knowledge economy in the use and application of e-resources, are now being exploited. This paper aims at, among others, discussing how technoogy comes to the rescue in service delivery even in some African institutions. Painfully however, even the pedestrian attempt to adequately cater for them in some places is not without its drawback. Is equitable library and information service to open and distance learners possible, particularly in Africa? Is it a myth or reality? URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1144 Files in this item: 1
Oladokun_Unpublished_2005.pdf (6.446Mb) -
Jain, P.; Bentley, G.; Oladiran, M.T. (May 14, 2013)[more][less]
Abstract: In this electronic publishing age, academic institutions including universities have increasingly recognised that an institutional repository (IR) is an essential infrastructure of scholarly dissemination. An IR is a digital research archive consisting of accessible collections of scholarly work that represent the intellectual capital of an institution. It is a means for institutions to manage the digital scholarship their communities produce, maximise access to research outputs both before and after publication and also to increase the visibility and academic prestige of both the institution and authors. This paper discusses the benefits and obstacles of setting up an IR, and librarians’ and authors’ roles in the successful management of an IR. As the strength and advantages of DS can only be maximized through effective IRs, the paper recommends that an IR be considered as the principal benchmark of digital scholarship. This paper was based on desk-top research/review of relevant literature and the authors’ observations and points of view. Description: A paper presented at African Digital Scholarship & Curation Conference on 12-14 May, 2009 at CSIR Conference Center, Pretoria, South Africa. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1143 Files in this item: 1
Jain_Unpublished_2009.pdf (3.428Mb) -
Oladokun, Olugbade Samuel (May 14, 2013)[more][less]
Abstract: With the constantly unfolding changes in the educational horizon, the survival and relevance of the library as a repository of knowledge and provider of information services can only be assured in being proactive, swift and responsive. Lifelong learning targets the improvement of “knowledge, skills and competence, within a personal, civic, social and/or employment-related perspective”. It strives to provide learning opportunities on an on-going basis, among others, to the marginalized, isolated, underprivileged and the unreachable. It provides further learning opportunities to adults from diverse backgrounds, already working and people with families and other commitments. It promotes the development of knowledge and capabilities that enable people get accustomed to a world that is knowledge based and equip them to function effectively in the socio-economic milieu in which they live. The resultant liberalisation of learning which brings along such system as open and distance education ensures that where learning takes place and is accessed does not have to be confined to a particular place or time. The controlling variables may depend on the learners and the learning requirements. The swiftness and responsiveness of the library would then require that the old stereotyped order where the library consults or is consulted within its own limited four walls has to be jettisoned, for the emerging and workable new system that is redefined, reshaped and refocused. This paper notes that all the stakeholders of this form of learning who can be found anywhere and everywhere, and may live thousands of kilometres away, require library resources and services. The paper discusses how library should respond to the challenging role in this dispensation. The strategies including possible coalition of libraries, getting the customers equipped with such competencies that will make them information literates, among others, are brought into play. The experience from the University of Botswana’s continuing education programmes and the involvement of the library is factored in. The e-learning initiatives and immense possibilities of other modern technologies, which have not only transformed teaching, learning and interaction processes but are also applicable in the library environment are discussed. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1142 Files in this item: 1
Oladokun_Unpublished_2006.pdf (6.827Mb)