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Authors:SNB Tackie, T Quagraine Abstract: One of the current trends in public library service provision is the introduction of Learning Centres in addition to the traditional services provided. It is in the light of this that this study sets out to find out how feasible it is to establish learning centres in public libraries in Ghana and their possible influences on user patronage. In this regard, 220 patrons were sampled in addition to 6 librarians using accidental and purposive sampling methods respectively. While questionnaires were administered to patrons for their responses, the librarians were interviewed. The findings revealed that considerable benefits exist in the implementation of library learning centres within the public libraries in Ghana. However, most of the public libraries, with the exception of the Accra Central Library, are not adequately resourced in terms of infrastructure, technology, human and financial resources, necessary for the creation of learning centres. Though the libraries face these challenges, the resources within them can be enhanced to achieve this mandate. Based on these conclusions, constructive approaches – pilot project, resource support and provision, inter-library loan service, staffing and human resource development and promoting awareness services were the recommendations made towards the attempt at establishing learning centre services in the public libraries in Ghana. Therefore, the public library system needs to reassess its services and products provided in the light of the current trend of events the world over. PubDate: 2014-01-15 Issue No:Vol. 25, No. 1 (2014)
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Authors:YC Kofi Abstract: The study is an examination of the perceptions of professional academic librarians of the leadership styles of University Librarians in Ghana. Perception is the process through which a person, object, thing and the environment can be recognized or realized. In organizations, staff are always judging one another and university libraries are no exception. Theories of leadership and gender issues are discussed. The case studies of five public university libraries and their librarians are presented as one unit. The study is a descriptive survey where the author used the questionnaire to elicit responses from fifty (50) out of sixty (60) professional librarians. The study concludes that the telling style of leadership was more dominant among male University Librarians as compared to their female counterparts. It is recommended that University Librarians should be seen to be flexible and adjust styles as the situation demands and that any change in style should be communicated to subordinates. PubDate: 2014-01-15 Issue No:Vol. 25, No. 1 (2014)
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Authors:G Kwadzo, G Annor Abstract: This study was to find out how state-owned or public universities in Ghana are managing their newspaper collections, from acquisition, processing, preservation to dissemination of newspaper information. The study was also to find out challenges encountered and offer recommendations. Data was collected from the eight public university libraries in Ghana using a questionnaire. Copies of the questionnaire were e-mailed to the libraries outside Accra whilst those in Accra were hand delivered. The study found that the numbers of newspapers acquired by the libraries vary but activities concerning their management were similar. The only method of preserving the collection was by binding. None of the libraries was digitizing their collection and it was only one library that adopted electronic means of indexing the newspaper information. All the activities undertaken by the libraries in managing their newspaper collections (except indexing done by one library electronically) were done manually. It is hoped that the findings will inform and encourage the libraries to pool together their efforts and resources to adopt modern methods of preservation (for example digitizing) and managing the newspaper information for easy accessibility. PubDate: 2014-01-15 Issue No:Vol. 25, No. 1 (2014)
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Authors:GU Oyedum Abstract: Adequate use of university libraries is essential for students offering different programmes in order to achieve their academic pursuits. This paper, therefore, assessed the extent to which the programme of study influences the undergraduate students’ use of Federal University libraries in Nigeria. The study also investigated which of the programmes of study influences the students’ use of university libraries most. The survey research method was used for the study and the study population was 1,453 undergraduate students from across Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Science and Social Science faculties in the selected universities. The main instrument used for the data collection was a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage tabulation were used in analyzing the data. Results revealed that the influence of programme of study on students’ use of Federal University libraries in Nigeria is low. The study also revealed that students from the social science related disciplines use the university libraries most in Nigeria. To increase the level of library use by the undergraduate students in Federal Universities in Nigeria, majority of the respondents indicated the need for provision of sufficient library collections. Others indicated provision of library Internet connected computers and provision of sufficient and current library collections that would satisfy the information needs of the users. PubDate: 2014-01-15 Issue No:Vol. 25, No. 1 (2014)
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Authors:W Olatokun, TJ Ntemana Abstract: This study investigated the characteristics which determine the rate of ICT use by lecturers at the National University of Lesotho (NUL). It also examined ICT use factors, competency level in usage, as well as challenges constraining use by the lecturers. Survey research design was adopted. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire administered to 213 respondents. Collected data was structured into grouped frequency distributions. Findings revealed that majority of the lecturers used various ICT resources and facilities and were competent in using ICT for most of their routine work. The major challenges that constrained their use of ICT were inadequate access, inadequate ICT facilities to use and erratic communication infrastructure. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the NUL authorities should improve ICT use among lecturers through training, provide more ICT equipment and services, facilitate easy access to ICT, invest in acquisition of ICT, and upgrade the bandwidth. It was further recommended that the Lesotho government should improve the electricity infrastructure and lower the tariffs on imported ICT technologies with a view to improving better exploitation of ICTs at NUL. PubDate: 2014-01-15 Issue No:Vol. 25, No. 1 (2014)
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Authors:J Msuya, AS Annake Abstract: This study aimed at examining the role of mobile phones in facilitating information communication for socio-economic development among the Maasai pastoralists in Monduli District, Tanzania. Specific objectives were to examine the pattern of access to and use of mobile phones by the pastoralists, investigate the ways in which mobile phones facilitate communication among pastoralist communities, examine the constraints in the usage of mobile phones and determine ways in which the usage of mobile phones by the Maasai pastoralists would be improved. The study was basically cross-sectional and data was mainly collected through questionnaires, interviews and observations. Major findings of this study revealed that many of the mobile phone options are known and used, but phone call is the most used option. It was also revealed that mobile phones are used for communicating with friends, family and veterinarians in carrying out financial transactions, finding out livestock prices in the market and information on new grazing areas. The constraints encountered in the use of mobile phones include network outage, high cost of recharging batteries, unavailability of vouchers, lack of electricity in the village and the language barrier. Finally, recommendations for improving mobile phone usage are given. PubDate: 2014-01-15 Issue No:Vol. 25, No. 1 (2014)
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Authors:E Adjei, E Hammond Abstract: The health sector in Ghana has been undergoing fundamental, broad-based and far reaching organisational reform. The principal mechanism for change has been the re-organisation of the Ministry of Health and the creation of a Ghana Health Service. Improved information management is perceived as a key strategy to support the reform itself and to underpin the successful provision of health care services in time to come. In the hospital setting, this brings into the spotlight the role of medical records departments which exist to collect, process, maintain, retrieve and distribute patient records. Records departments are charged to provide efficient and effective service. But efficiency of service provision is dependent on factors such as physical and financial resources and more importantly the calibre of personnel providing the service. Though the medical record services play an important role in health care delivery, indications are that the records function suffers from lack of attention. One of the key areas of neglect has been training and staff development. The study investigated the type and nature of training existing for medical records staff at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The questionnaire and interview were the main instruments for data collection. It emerged from the study that as far as training and staff development are concerned, the medical record service has suffered from lack of attention for many years. This neglect has far reaching implications for the quality of service required from the Ghana Health Service. The study has made a number of recommendations for improvement. PubDate: 2014-01-15 Issue No:Vol. 25, No. 1 (2014)
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