Research Publications in Library and Information Science (LIS) in Nigeria: Publishing to the Wrong Audience?

Chukwuemeka Dean Nwakanma

Graduate School of Library and Information Studies McGill University, Montreal, Canada. H4V 1G9

E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Library and Information Science (LIS) research in Nigeria span over five decades. However, despite these decades of LIS research and education in Nigeria, problems continue to plague the development of the profession in Nigeria. This paper is a comparative study of Nigerian LIS researched articles published in foreign and local LIS journals. An analysis of LIS researched articles, as contained in the online version of Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA), Library Literature (LL) and Information Science Abstracts (ISA), from 1968 to June 2002 was carried out in order to compare LIS research publications about Nigeria by Nigerian authors that were published in foreign and Nigerian journals. The results show that a majority of the authors published in foreign LIS journals since the early 1980s till date. Owing to the difficulty encountered in accessing foreign journals in Nigeria, publishing Nigerian LIS research in foreign journals deprives the nation of the benefits of utilising these research results for the solution of LIS problems in Nigeria. The practice of Nigerian researchers publishing in foreign journal titles is examined and the problems associated with local access to these foreign journals and its implications on the growth of the LIS profession in Nigeria are highlighted. Suggestions are provided to encourage local publishing of LIS research in Nigeria.

 

 

Public Sector Records Systems in Ghana: Some Lessons in Development Management

Pino Akotia

Department of Information Studies University of Ghana P.O. Box 60, Legon, Ghana

[email protected] 

Abstract

The origins of the decline and the revitalisation of the National Archives of Ghana go a long way back. Its near collapse to a large extent was self- inflicted. The result was a progressive deterioration in the management of recorded information, key to the efficiency and effectiveness of government. This article argues that the Ghana Records Management Improvement Programme subsequently introduced as part of the initiative to strengthen the civil service marked a paradigm shift in the development management strategies of Ghana. Restructuring the records management systems of government was crucial for improving the efficiency of development management interventions.

The strengthened National Archives has been transformed into a department exercising a wider remit. New systems and procedures have been put in place to provide a sound records management programme. Unable, however, to address the management of financial records alongside records of other sectors, public financial management has remained weak due to the unstructured and poor state of the existing financial records systems. This remains so despite the several policy measures introduced to strengthen financial management.

 

 

 

The Use of the Intranet and Internet by Teaching Staff of the University of Zambia

Vitalicy Chifwepa

Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Zambia, P. O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia

[email protected] 

Abstract

The use of the Intranet and Internet among academic members of staff at the University of Zambia was surveyed using a questionnaire. The findings revealed that the University had a well-developed network for both Intranet and Internet that was established to foster communication and access to both internal and external information. The paper concluded that there are some bottlenecks to the full use of the network. There is potential for full utilisation of the networks on condition that a policy to integrate the networks and ICT in general university management and running was developed and implemented.

 

 

A Critical Analysis of Library Computerisation at the Copperbelt University, Zambia

Boyd Patrick Nkhoma

Copperbelt University Library, P.O. Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia

[email protected] 

Abstract

The paper takes a critical look at the computerisation project at the Copperbelt University Library, Zambia. It argues that while the idea to automate may appear to a large extent to have been driven by the desire to catch up with modern trends to use computers in information management, there were indeed peculiar institutional conditions that necessitated the computersation of the library. The inaccurate costing of the project was seen as a major setback in that it was accomplished at the expense of a small and outdated book collection, and other information resources. Selection of Stylis as the main software for library automation is viewed as a costly mistake as its continuity is very much uncertain. While the basic computer infrastructure and library Local Area Network has been laid, the internal operations are seen as being at variance with professional expectations. Lack of Internet access by professional librarians and the single PC for Internet use by library users are seen as obstacles to the smooth operation of a computerised library network. The non-availability of PCs for CD-ROM use by the public is also seen as a negative phenomenon that needs redress. The lack of cooperation between the University of Zambia Library and the Copperbelt University Library in their computerisation projects is seen as a missed opportunity for beneficial networking. The paper concludes that automation at the Copperbelt University Library is only partially accomplished.

 

 

Provision and Accessibility of Health Information to the Rural Communities in Kenya: A Case Study of Bomet District

Harrison Kibet Bii and Japhet Otike

Faculty of Information Sciences, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900, Eldoret, Kenya

E-Mail:[email protected]    [email protected]

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a study that examined the provision and accessibility of health information to the residents of Bomet District, Kenya. A sample of 100 respondents aged 15 years and above was selected from 10 randomly picked villages in a purposively selected location of the district. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted and notes taken. Data collected were categorised, analysed and presented in tables, percentages, and discussion. It was found that rural people have many health information needs, most of which are directly related to their health problems. Some of these needs have not been met or satisfied by the existing information resources and services due to a number of factors that make health information inaccessible. Most of these factors emanate from the nature of the existing information and communication infrastructure and associated services. It is recommended that health meetings, visual media, adult education, rural-focused broadcast and print media as well as infrastructure supportive of health information communication should be improved. Basic health lessons need to be introduced in schools and rural information centres need to be established in the rural areas. It is also recommended that the Ministry of Health needs to put in place a policy that would promote health information dissemination.

 

 

Competing for a Slice of the Budget Cake: An Academic Library Perspective

Felix N. Ubogu

University of the Witwatersrand Private Bag X1, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa

[email protected] 

… in library work - as in baseball - the most persuasive argument is the one that ultimately relies on the effective presentation of pertinent and reliably gathered statistics (Smith, 1996).

Abstract

This paper examines the different ways in which a library could obtain a larger slice of the budget cake. These include leveraging of library assets to enhance funding, relating funding to mission, the use of library statistics (both internal and external), lobbying, and a strong show of support from users. It notes that the absence of readily available sources of library data in South Africa is an impediment to using comparative statistics in arguing for more money, and suggests that the directors of libraries should pay attention to this. Observations are based in part on experience as well as from the literature.

 

 

The Information Society and the Nigerian Print Media

Fabian A. Ehikhamenor

Africa Regional Centre for Information Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

This work reports on the extent to which the Nigerian print media have been transformed by ICTs in order to function in the evolving information society. Almost all the print media in Nigeria are using a wide range of ICTs, each according to its needs and what is affordable. The pressure to invest in ICT applications derives from three causes: (1) The stiff competition among the media organisations in the last five years accentuated the need to gain competitive advantage; (2) ICTs have become a strategy for meeting organisational goals for survival, and for enhancing profit level; and (3) the media organisations are quite conscious of developments in the information society and the changing role of the print media in the emerging information economy and, so, are prepared to meet these challenges. The areas that are going to engage more attention are electronic publishing, online access, multimedia applications, advertising, and electronic commerce.