Provision of library and information services through mobile phones in public university libraries in Malawi

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 52-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aubrey Harvey Chaputula ◽  
Stephen Mutula
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Public University ◽  
Information Services ◽  
University Libraries

eReadiness of public university libraries in Malawi to use mobile phones in the provision of library and information services

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 270-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aubrey Harvey Chaputula ◽  
Stephen Mutula
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Public University ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Strict Sense ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Access To Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present findings of a study conducted to determine eReadiness status of public university libraries in Malawi to use mobile phones in the provision of library and information services.Design/methodology/approachThe researcher carried out in-depth semi-structured interviews with university/college librarians and information and communications technology (ICT) directors using interview guides. Students were also administered with a survey questionnaire that contained closed- and some open-ended questions. Proceedings of the interviews were recorded using a tape recorder whilst backup notes were recorded in a notebook. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using NVivo software whilst quantitative data were analysed using SPPS.FindingsThe study findings revealed that institutions studied had the ICT infrastructure necessary for offering library and information services on the mobile phone platform. Moreover, students had mobile phones which were connected to internet to facilitate their access to services offered. However, the institutions covered by this study did not have operational ICT policies to govern the operations of library and information services offered through mobile phones although draft ICT policies were available. The study further concluded that though the human resources required to manage the provision of library and information services through mobile phones in the institutions studied were available, they did not have the necessary skills and numbers to provide quality services. Other findings revealed that attitudes of library staff and students to the offering and access to services through mobile phones were positive. The study also revealed that there are some factors that could impact the offering of library services through mobile phones.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough Malawi has four public universities, this study only focused on three of them. Moreover, academic staff is another important user group of academic libraries. In this case, findings reported in this paper only focus on students. This implies that library’s readiness to offer services through mobile phones to this group remains unknown hence may have to be covered by future studies. Much as the study incorporated a quantitative strand in addition to the qualitative one, it neither involved theory testing nor confirmation as is the case with other related studies. This implies that the two theories used in this study (the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and the technology-organisation-environment) were not used in the strict sense, which is empirical at the core, but rather to put the problem studied in the context of other related studies.Practical implicationsThe findings have practical implications in that they can be used for planning the implementation of library and information services through mobile phones in public university libraries in Malawi. Other related institutions can also use the findings as a reference point in planning the implementation of similar services.Originality/valueStudies relating to the use of mobile phones in the delivery of library and information services have not been conducted in public universities in Malawi. Findings of this study will, therefore, inform researchers intending to conduct similar or related studies not only in public universities in Malawi but other related institutions as well.

Copyright and information service provision in public university libraries in Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 375-388
Author(s):  
Salome W. Mathangani ◽  
Japheth Otike
Keyword(s):  
Organization Theory ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Public University ◽  
Copyright Law ◽  
Information Services ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
General Direction ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Copyright law supposedly brings a balance between copyright owners and information users as a way of creating a harmonious relationship. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between Kenya’s Copyright Act and the provision of information services in public university libraries in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach The study was informed by both the organization theory and the social systems theory which, respectively, provided a base for discussion on the library and its basic functions, and an interdisciplinary approach that accommodate library services and law. Data were collected from a sample of 77 librarians from public universities libraries, and analyzed using the qualitative method. Findings The study established that librarians were reasonably aware of the copyright Act. However, they were apprehensive and uncertain about copyright effect on the library. Evidence from the study showed that librarians needed to extend their knowledge and understanding of the copyright law for the effective provision of information services. The paper concludes that there is scope for librarians, using their wealth of knowledge and expertise, to make relevant and useful suggestions on copyright. Such contribution would assist in bringing harmony in the use of copyrighted materials. Originality/value These findings are original and will be useful in giving general direction on copyright. The study highlights the important issue of universities as parent institutions providing needed leadership in the copyright area.

scholarly journals The legal implications of providing information services in PUL in Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-37
Author(s):  
Salome Waigumo Mathangani ◽  
Japheth Otike
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Public University ◽  
Information Services ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
General Direction ◽  
Legal Implications ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Teaching Learning

This is a research paper on Public University Libraries (PULs) which are charged with the responsibility of providing the university community with information for the parent institutions’ core activities of teaching, learning, study and research. In carrying out this responsibility, PULs have to address issues of law as these relate to the provision of information services. The purpose of this study was to investigate the legal implications of providing information services in public university libraries in Kenya. The study applied the qualitative methodology but also used a limited application of quantitative approach with issues of statistical significance. Basing on a sample of 77 librarians from public universities libraries, data was collected and analyzed using the narrative method. The study established the actual and potential implications of laws that support information (UDHR, CK, FOI, IFLA and WSIS declarations) and those that put limits to information (Copyright law, penal code, Official Secrets Act). Although librarians were knowledgeable and had skills regarding their work, evidence from the study showed that they needed to extend their knowledge and understanding in the area of laws that have implications on the provision of information as a way of enhancing their work. In conclusion the paper notes that there is scope for librarians, using their wealth of knowledge and expertise, to seek interaction with policy makers and make relevant and useful contribution on law and information. These findings are significant in that they give general direction with regard to law and the provision of information services. The research highlights the importance for librarians to create links with policy makers in order to set up a relationship with mutual benefits.

Access to and Use of Information and Communication Technology and Task Performance

Mousaion ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wuraola J. Oyedipe ◽  
Sunday O. Popoola
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Joint Effect ◽  
Public University ◽  
Relative Effect ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Job Knowledge ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
And Task

The study investigated the relationship between access to and use of information and communication technology and task performances of library personnel in public university libraries in South West Nigeria. The total enumeration technique was used to cover 330 library professionals working in public university libraries in the zone. A self-developed questionnaire was used to obtain data. Out of the 330 copies of questionnaire administered 248 (76.6%) copies were found useable. The findings revealed that the level of task performances of the respondents was high, and the level of access to ICT was high, while the frequency of ICT use was moderate. The results indicated that there was a positive relative effect of ICT access and use on task performances. The study also found a significant relationship between the access to ICT, ICT use and task performances of respondents, while there was a significant joint effect of access to ICT and ICT use on the task performances of library personnel. The study recommended the constant development of personnel regarding job knowledge and skills, the promotion of creativity and adaptability skills to enhance personnel task performances, while library managers should continue to make ICT tools accessible for library personnel to allow their use in improving the workflow in the library.

Research on user needs for mobile information services in Chinese university libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Zhao ◽  
Shengli Deng ◽  
Ting Gao ◽  
Ruoxin Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Information Content ◽  
Mobile Services ◽  
Information Services ◽  
User Needs ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Information ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Mobile Information Services

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the service demand of existing users and potential users for mobile information services provided by university libraries in China. The primary objective is to explore the impact of user experience on user needs, which is conducted by a comparison between two user groups over their needs from three aspects – service function, service mode and information content. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 353 library users from ten Chinese universities via questionnaires. Based on the user needs model, three dimensions of user needs were established for mobile information services and 26 measurement items were generated through a review of the literature. Furthermore, based on frequency analysis, independent samples t-test and the calculation of need rate, the demand differences in mobile information services between existing and potential users were explored. Findings Significant differences existed in the needs for service functions and service modes of mobile information services between existing users and potential users. Existing users cared more about such characteristics as intelligence, personalization and the variety of mobile services. Potential users, in contrast, concerned themselves more with the usability of mobile services and similarity to traditional information services. These two user groups showed little difference in the needs for information content, as they both have strict requirements for specialty, richness in and quality of information resources in mobile network environments. Originality/value Previous research on user needs for mobile libraries services has been primarily conducted from the perspectives of existing users. This study, however, compared the needs of existing and potential users based on their previous experiences, which can help libraries to know better what their users need and improve the quality of mobile information services to meet those needs. This can also make existing users more willing to use the services and cultivate the usage habits of potential users at the same time.

Intellectual property information services and the impacts on academic libraries’ transformation from the perspective of Chinese university libraries

IFLA Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 034003522110255
Author(s):  
Wei Yang ◽  
Tianlin Liu
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Information Services ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Chinese University ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Library Transformation ◽  
Information Providers

Approximately 100 Intellectual Property Information Services Centres have been established in Chinese university libraries, more than 80% of them since 2017. The context of this boom in Intellectual Property Information Services Centres is the rapidly increasing number of patent applications in China, as well as an unacceptably low transfer ratio. Do Intellectual Property Information Services Centres represent a promising direction for university library transformation? This is the central issue addressed in this article. The characteristics of the Chinese evolutionary path and driving forces are discussed, and distinctive intellectual property information service practices are studied and summarized. Comparisons are made with the USA, the UK, Europe and India. With Intellectual Property Information Services Centres, university libraries can evolve from information providers to innovation catalysts, and establish closer connections between universities, communities and industries. The impacts of Intellectual Property Information Services Centres on university librarianship are multifaceted. The trends and challenges of intellectual property information services are also discussed in the article.

scholarly journals Database Management Systems and Use of Digital Resources in Some Selected Public University Libraries of Bangladesh: An Overview

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Fazlul Quader Chowdhury
Keyword(s):  
Operations Management ◽  
Database Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Public University ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Digital Resources ◽  
Library Administration ◽  
Library Automation ◽  
Library Resources

This paper Discuses present status of database management practices and use of digital resources of five selected Public University Libraries of Bangladesh. Survey has been carried out on the names of used software, number of databases for the dissemination of library resources with total number of records, subscription of online journals with other digital and electronic resources, number of current/bound journals, computers, CDs and audiovisual materials etc. The objectives, methodology for collection, presentation and analysis of collected data for this study and highlights the meaning, need, main considerations, components and domain of library automation in the context of surveyed libraries also have been described. The development of digital technology combined with the evolution of Internet has prompted significant changes in library services and operations within the last few years. The study tries to focus on the availability of hardware and software in the respective library, examine types and forms of library collections, various house keeping operations, management, services, and library administration etc. It has also put forward some suggestions for the future development of the surveyed libraries. Bangladesh Journal of Library and Information Science Vol.2(1) July 2012 pp.67-78DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjlis.v2i1.12923

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