African Journals Online
African Journal of Library, Archives 
and Information Science

Volume 13 Number 1 April 2003
ABSTRACTS

The Management of International Criminal Justice Records: The Case of Rwandan Tribunal

Tom A. Adami

Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Arusha International Conference, P. O. Box 6016, Arusha, Tanzania

Email:[email protected] 

Abstract

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has been widely criticised for the slow pace of justice and for mismanagement. On the contrary, much has been achieved in an African context to assist in achieving peace and reconciliation for the people of Rwanda. The information management programme of the ICTR has developed some unique and innovative ways of dealing with its large and varied collection of judicial records. There is much to be proud of in the achievements of the Records and Archives Unit of ICTR. This paper aims to share with others the experience of ICTR in the management of large and varied judicial records.

The Digital Divide and University Education Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Margaret Adeogun

Baraton Library, University of Eastern Africa, P.O. Box 2500, Eldoret, Kenya

Email: [email protected] 

Abstract

This paper examined the concept of the digital divide, how the divide can relegate Africa to the background and how a transformed tertiary educational system can help to minimise the bridge between the information-rich countries of the North and the information-poor African countries. It is argued that if the barriers to accessing and synthesising information can be removed, African scholars and researchers can contribute significantly to global knowledge development. They can also adapt existing knowledge to enhance sustainable development in the African continent.

Assessment of the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the Financial Sector: A Case Study of the Mozambican Banking System

Flatiel Fabio Villanculos

Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Direccao dos Servicos de Documentacao, C.P. 1169, Maputo-Mozambique

[email protected] 

and

Kgomotso H. Moahi

Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Botswana, P/Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana

[email protected]

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which information and communication technologies(ICT) had been used by commercial banks in Mozambique, as well as the benefits of ICTs to banks and customers. Thirty-one managers, fifty four clerical staff and fifty eight customers were surveyed. The findings reveal that the use of information and communication technologies was well entrenched in Mozambican banks. This has resulted in the improvement of banking services.

The Management of Systems Migration in an African Setting

Y.A. Adedigba and E.O. Ezomo

Library and Documentation Centre, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Oyo Road, P.M.B. 5320, Ibadan

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract

The Library and Documentation Centre of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) migrated to a new integrated library software in 1997. This article gives reasons for the change, describes the selection process, the migration to INMAGIC DB/Textworks and conversion of records. Also, the problems encountered, publicity, training of library staff and users and future plans are outlined

Internet Access Competence and the Use of the Internet for Teaching and Research Activities By University of Botswana Academic Staff

Ayoku A. Ojedokun and Emmanuel O. Owolabi

University of Botswana, P/Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract

The Internet is dramatically changing the world of research and teaching. However academics would have to learn new skills on Internet use to fully transform their research and teaching. The objective of the study therefore was to assess the impact of Internet competence on the use of the Internet for teaching and research activities among the academic staff of the University of Botswana. A total of 216 academic staff participated in the study. A specially designed questionnaire with open and close-ended questions was used as the main instrument for data collection. Data were analysed for frequency and percentage using the cross-tabs sub-program of the SPSS. The study showed that many of the respondents are skilled users of the Internet only as far as its application in research activities is concerned. This is essentially in the area of literature and supporting/baseline data searching. They seem not to be as skilled in the use of the Internet to enhance teaching activities, such as delivering additional lecture notes, and sending files to students. The study therefore recommends that for the University of Botswana to derive maximal benefit from its investment in personal computers and Internet access for its academic staff, it is imperative that training programmes be organised for the academic staff on Internet use for teaching and research.

A Comparative Analysis of the Characteristics of Authors in Four Nigerian Librarianship Journals

Rose B. Okiy

Delta State University Library, Abraka, Delta State.

Abstract

A comparative analysis of the characteristics of Nigerian authors of articles published in the African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science (AJLAIS), the Nigerian Libraries (NL), Lagos Librarian (LL) and the Nigerian Library and Information Science Review (NLISR), between 1994 and 2000 was carried out. The analysis covered major topics written by the authors, gender of authors, geographical location of authors, type of employment, affiliating organisation, and form of authorship of the authors. The study revealed that Nigerian authors who published in the four journal displayed similar characteristics, despite the fact that AJLAIS is a reputable international journal while NL, LL, NLISR are local journals. Also, the findings revealed that male authors predominated in all the journals and authors from the South West zone of Nigeria predominated in the four journals. Furthermore, a majority of the articles in all the journals were of single authorship in all the journals. A classification of the authors by affiliating organisations showed that authors from the academic libraries were predominant in the four journals. Finally, information technology was revealed as the most researched area of librarianship among all the authors.

Challenges of Developing a Taxonomic Information System (Taxis) on Indigenous Medicinal Plants of South Western Nigeria

O. O. Adelowo

Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

and

R. O Agbonlahor

Africa Regional Centre For Information Science (ARCIS), P.O. Box 22133, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

[email protected]

Abstract

The oral nature of indigenous knowledge has always been cited as one of the important problems limiting its documentation, development and utilization. This was found to be true in the development of taxonomic information system (TAXIS). Information was collected about the taxonomy, important uses and dangers associated with use/misuse of 118 medicinal plant species indigenous to South Western Nigeria. Photographs of 21 out of the 118 species were also collected as well as bibliographic data on 158 publications that discussed the various plant species. This information was used to develop a taxonomic information system on medicinal plants. Several challenges were encountered in the process of developing TAXIS. These include the unwillingness of those involved with indigenous medicinal plants to volunteer information, a huge mass of unsubstantiated information, changes in name of some species and a lack of coordinated effort by the government and the scientific community to develop and standardise products from these plants.

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Impact of Intervention Measures on Collection Development at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Library, Bauchi

Innocent Ekoja

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Library, PMB 0248, Bauchi, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the impact of three intervention measures on collection development at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Library, (ABTUL), Bauchi. The World Bank Federal Universities Development Sector Adjustment Credit was the best managed in conception and implementation, and has had the most impact. Under the scheme, ABTUL received 4756 volumes of books or 67.06% of total library acquisitions for the three years it lasted. The journals received under The World Bank Project accounted for 54.5%, 43.15% and 52.88% of total subscriptions for 1993, 1994 and 1995 respectively. The Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund National Educational Materials Procurement Programme was crudely executed even though it earned the Library 5082 volumes of books out of which only 1289 (25.36%) were processed. This was because some of the titles were supplied in hundreds of volumes, which were not necessary under normal collection development exercise. The Educational Tax Fund allocation of N3.5 million ($30,000) for year 2000, received in 2002, were expended on the purchase of computers and photocopiers. But most of the subsequent allocations were spent on collection development.