Information Development recent issues

Editorial: Information is for Development

Parker, S. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:29 PST

Correction

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:29 PST

Information Development News

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:29 PST

CDS/ISIS Information

Hopkinson, A. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:29 PST

Education for Librarianship and Information Studies: fit for purpose?

Johnson, I. M. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:29 PST

Accessing, Sharing and Communicating Agricultural Information for Development: emerging trends and issues

Ballantyne, P. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:29 PST

The recent food crisis has helped to push agriculture and food security back on to national and development agendas. Additional international funds have been mobilized, national and regional initiatives have been strengthened, and a wide range of new and innovative instruments and approaches have been promised. Most of these efforts call for greater investment in knowledge creation, information access, and the wider use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). This paper explores what this renewed interest might mean for information and communication specialists working in agriculture. Starting from an ‘innovation systems’ perspective, it looks across the agricultural information for development landscape, highlighting some items on the agenda of information and communication specialists working in this area. Agenda items include: The widening recognition of the value of farmer knowledge, growing use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enable different agricultural development activities, concerns to ensure that public investments result in public goods whose benefits can travel, related efforts to ensure that agricultural content is open and accessible, the discovery and increasing use of a ‘social’ web, and some emerging new roles for agricultural library and information centers to meet changing demands.

Information as a Development Intervention: reforming the culture of information systems in Guatemala

Perez-Brito, C. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:29 PST

In Guatemala, where statistics and information systems do not yet play a central role in planning and decision-making processes, a USAID-funded project was initiated in 2007 to systematically collect data and information for the education component of the social sector. The project utilizes up-to-date business intelligence tools and software for gathering, storing, analyzing, and providing access to data. The primary outcome of the intervention has been the development of the National Integrated Information System, an online accessible platform that includes all information from the social sector (i.e. education, health, finance and population). The paper will discuss four primary factors that are considered crucial in successfully carrying out the management of information as a development intervention.

Journal Reading and Publishing Patterns of Cuban Health Researchers

Sanchez-Tarrago, N., Fernandez-Molina, J. C. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:30 PST

Studies about the patterns of use and diffusion of scientific information by researchers have been numerous in recent years, but very few of them have focused on developing countries. The objective of this study is to determine the patterns of use of scientific journals and the publication-related practices of Cuban researchers in the biomedical sector, clearly the best developed field in the country. To this end a survey was directed at researchers of the national health institutes of Cuba. The results point to patterns of use involving journals and publication practices similar to those of researchers from other world regions (predominating use of online journals, but a preference for the printed format, associations between the preference of format and different age brackets and scientific qualifications). At the same time, most researchers in Cuba believe that they have access to very few or only a part of the articles they consider necessary, which can be explained not only by the financial limitations of the country but also by the limited informational abilities and scarce familiarization with open access publications.

National Bibliographic Control in Mauritius: issues and challenges

Ramjaun, I. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:30 PST

After defining the concept of bibliographic control, and briefly explaining its importance, an attempt is made to trace the history and evolution of the legal deposit system in Mauritius. The first national bibliography compiled by the Archives Department, which appeared in 1956, is then compared with the new version published by the National Library since 2001. Next, the challenges facing bibliographic control in Mauritius are discussed, and finally some tentative recommendations are formulated to ensure a more effective bibliographic control.

Library Automation in Developing Countries: the last 25 years

Hopkinson, A. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:30 PST

Library automation has developed in the industrialized world over the last 25 years and progress in developing countries cannot be separated from trends worldwide. However there are different criteria for success in developing countries which are brought out in this review. Open Source has been hailed as a solution to the economic problems but there are still organizational problems to be surmounted. There is also the possibility to develop one’s own system. Nigeria, Thailand and India are taken as case studies, illustrating different kinds of solutions that are available and various pitfalls. Predictions into the future are difficult. Internet bandwidth will improve in developing countries and open source may prove useful but economics may not improve and power supply problems are likely to remain.

Current Abstracts

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:30 PST

Forthcoming Events

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:30 PST

Stray Thoughts: Left Holding the Baby

Msafiri, — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:42:30 PST

Buggins' Turn at UNESCO?

Parker, S. — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

Information Development News

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

CDS/ISIS Information

Hopkinson, A. — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

Education for Librarianship and Information Studies: fit for purpose?

Johnson, I. M. — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

Enhancing Development Through International Collaboration by Schools of Librarianship and Information Studies

Johnson, I. M. — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

This paper explores how international collaboration by Schools of Librarianship and Information Studies (SLIS) with other SLIS, other disciplines and the practitioner communities could make a significant contribution to the development of library and information services. Collaboration to date has had a limited impact. Based on a review of not only the literature of Librarianship and Information Studies, but also some of the literature on internationalization of higher education, and on collaboration in research and in business, the paper indicates the barriers to collaboration and actions that may contribute to successful collaboration. The support necessary to sustain international collaboration is more likely to be attracted by comparative research studies focused on the role of library and information services in facilitating developments that are widely perceived to be economically or socially important. An international context would facilitate a more rigorous comparison of the resources allocated to library and information services and the benefits derived. This would reveal more clearly the impact that variations in provision make on the achievement of government or organizational goals, and help make a stronger case for enhanced support. A UNESCO/UNITWIN Chair is proposed as a potential formal mechanism to provide strategic leadership for developing appropriate activities.

ICT and Health Information in Botswana: towards the Millennium Development Goals

Moahi, K. H. — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

This paper provides an overview of activities and initiatives under way in Botswana that aim to improve the provision and management of information in the health sector. Many of these initiatives are based on the use of ICTs. The paper considers the role that ICT plays in ensuring that health information is provided to health workers and consumers in support of the three health related Millennium Development Goals (reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; and combating HIV/AIDS and malaria). The paper outlines these initiatives and considers whether there is more that needs to be done to ensure that health information is well managed and reaches those it should reach, at the right time and in the right form.

E-Learning and E-Library Services at the University of Ghana: prospects and challenges

Dadzie, P. S. — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

This paper investigates the prospects and challenges of using an e-learning platform, Knowledge Environment for Web-based Learning, (KEWL) by the teaching staff of the Faculty of Social Studies, University of Ghana. It also highlights the need for interoperability of e-library services within the e-learning platform. Data collected through survey questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to examine faculty awareness and opinions, expectations and capabilities in using KEWL for teaching and learning. The analysis of the data suggests that infrastructure, technology and training should be considered by the university administrators to increase the rate of adoption of e-learning within the community. Implications for the development of strategies for e-learning and interoperability of e-library services within that platform are proposed for university administrators not only in Ghana but also for other African countries. This paper presents a modest contribution to the discourse on the integration of e-library services within the e-learning platform from a developing country’s perspective. It offers important insights into how e-library services and e-learning in developing countries can be better managed to enhance its rapid adoption.

The Role of Mailing Groups in the Development of the Library Profession in Pakistan: the case of plagpk

Siddique, N., Mahmood, K. — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have made it possible for members of any profession to contact other professionals or communicate on a group level that was not possible in the past. It is due to the availability of ICT-based social networking software. LIS professionals in Pakistan are not behind in adopting modern technologies. They have been using mailing groups since December 2000. Pakistan Library Automation Group (PakLAG), a group of volunteer LIS professionals, launched the first ever mailing group in Pakistan known as plagpk. The impact of the plagpk mailing group is very positive. It provides a useful forum to professionals to share their experiences and solve their problems. It is helping in the placement of fresh graduates by posting jobs. It helped a lot in the revival of a dead national library association. The group has created awareness among Pakistani LIS professionals in using new ICT-based social networking software. Following its example, many other mailing groups have also been launched by LIS professionals. This paper presents the results of content analysis of 5216 e-mail messages posted on plagpk till December 2008. The results of a survey of users about the usefulness of this group are also presented.

Performance Evaluation of the INNOPAC Library System in Southern Africa: perspectives from systems librarians

Taole, N. — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

There is a growing interest in the INNOPAC library automation system, which has been implemented by several libraries in the Southern African region over the past 10 years. The majority of these libraries have installed this library system through consortia membership, and others have done it individually. This article evaluates the performance of the INNOPAC library system in five libraries in the Southern African region using the performance criteria of Functionality, Usability, Support and Training, and Vendor. The article identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the system, and makes recommendations for implementation in other similar libraries in the region. It also outlines a proposal for an INNOPAC-based consortium for the Southern African region.

New Information Sources

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

Current Abstracts

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

Forthcoming Events

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

Stray Thoughts: High Time for a Fresh Start

Msafiri, — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:26 PDT

Editorial: Information, Libraries and Records for Development

Parker, S. — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

Information Development News

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

CDS/ISIS Information

Hopkinson, A. — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

Education for Librarianship and Information Studies: fit for purpose?

Johnson, I. M. — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

The Growth of the Internet and Knowledge Networks, and their Impact in the Developing World

Parent, I., Cruickshank, N. — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

This paper traces the growth of the Internet and knowledge networks in the world, with an explanation of the implications of the Internet for the developing world. Starting with a brief history of the development of the Internet, the paper describes the phenomenal growth of Internet networks and how the uses made of the Internet have evolved tremendously in the last fifteen years. The potential of the Internet has not been fully realized in many developing countries due to a variety of factors. Therefore there is a unique opportunity for libraries and librarians to lead the movement to increase access to information for citizens of developing countries, through using the powers of the Internet adapted to the conditions in each country.

The Community Development Library in Bangladesh

Islam, Md. S. — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

Community Development Library (CDL), a development information and communication network in Bangladesh, has been serving the community with up-to-date information with the help of its Rural Information Resource Centres (RIRCs). CDL has opened up a new horizon in expanding education, poverty alleviation, gender, environment, health awareness for the country people. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the Community Development Library as a source of development information in Bangladesh and explores its impacts on the people of Bangladesh.

Managing Public Sector Records in Namibia: a proposed model

Nengomasha, C. T. — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

This paper presents an integrated (integrating paper and electronic records) records management programme as a model for managing public service records to support accountability, transparency and good governance in Namibia. Describes the existing records management policies, systems and procedures in the public sector in Namibia and the problems encountered. These problems have been compounded by the increasing reliance on electronic records due to the adoption of the principles and practices of e-government.

The Public Library as the Local Gateway to Knowledge: Shanghai Library's information service for the 2010 World Expo

Yuhong Zhou, — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

Describes the information services provided by Shanghai Library for the 2010 World Expo, to be held in Shanghai. The Library has established both a physical and a virtual Shanghai Exposition Information Center (http://www.worldexpoinfo. cn/). The collection of documents on World Expos has become one of the richest collections in the world on this topic. Value-added information services based on the collection include information services for local enterprises and local government in the form of monthly briefings. Shanghai Library staff have also been involved in editing, translating and writing six titles in the World Expo Book Series. These activities reflect the important role of public libraries in providing information services.

Archives and Records Management Education and Training: what can Africa learn from Europe and North America?

Katuu, S. — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

While education and training of archives and records professionals within Sub Saharan Africa has a history of about five decades, elsewhere professional development has a history lasting several centuries. In Europe, archivists have been in existence since the 17th century while in North America, while the history is just about one century old, within that time a lot of innovation has been evident. This article provides a summary of developments in the two continents, drawing lessons that could be useful in reinvigorating discussion within the African continent.

New Information Sources

Bayaz, R. — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

Current Abstracts

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

Forthcoming Events

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

Stray Thoughts: Freedom [Suppression] of Information

Msafiri, — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:50:21 PDT

Editorial: A Silver Jubilee

Parker, S. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

Information Development News

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

CDS/ISIS Information

Hopkinson, A. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

Education for Librarianship and Information Studies: fit for purpose?

Johnson, I. M. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

Sustainable Information Development: a journal and a concept twenty-five years on

Sturges, P. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

The twenty-fifth year of Information Development, the journal, prompts a reflection on what makes the concept `information development' sustainable. From the very beginning, the journal has been open to critical views of information programmes and policies in the developing world. Although the idea of `sustainability' has become something of a cliché, much that has appeared in the journal points in this direction. There is a strong argument that sustainability can only be built by providing information services that people want in forms and at venues that suit them. This means content and delivery that has strong roots in the culture and psychology of those to be served, as well as localised `ownership', low technology, and low cost solutions. It is suggested that mobile telephone technology meets these criteria and that it offers a more positive basis for sustainable information development than much that has been tried hitherto.

Knowledge Utilization for Governance in Africa: evidence-based decision-making and the role of survey data archives in the region

Woolfrey, L. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

Findings from social surveys can support effective policy-making in Africa. However, research will only affect policy change if it is supported by the combination of an optimal political environment, timely recognition of a particular social problem and advocacy by policy analysts to government decision-makers. For this research to be utilized optimally, and more widely, obstacles to knowledge utilization in Africa need to be overcome. These relate mainly to dysfunctional research/policy interfaces in many African countries. Limited access to research data is another obstacle to the utilization of empirical research for policy decisions. African countries lack organizations which can act as intermediaries between data producers and data users in Africa. Survey data archives can fulfil this role through preserving and sharing empirical data and advocating for the use of social research in policy-making.

Information Professionals in the Open Access Era: the competencies, challenges and new roles

Ghosh, M. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

The push for open access is to encourage new avenues of disseminating information quickly and broadly to advance knowledge. Self-archiving in open access repositories, metadata harvesting, electronic resource management, interoperability in searching, etc. are presenting a whole new dimension of the information landscape. Information professionals working in libraries have been facing tremendous challenges in disseminating scholarly material and learning objects emanating from their institutions. Librarians serving in universities and academic institutions can launch a program to help faculty pay for publishing in open access journals, introduced the concept and secured the funding through various means. A pro-active approach in information handling and collaboration with IT staff and academics are essential for open access to be sustained. The skills and competencies for information professionals are outlined, along with challenges they may face in developing sustainable models for open access repositories. The paper elaborates the different roles that information professionals have been playing in the development and promotion of digital resources in this open access era and offers recommendations for further improvement.

Library and Information Needs and Barriers to the Use of Information Sources by Continuing Education Students at the University of Botswana

Oladokun, O. S., Aina, L.O. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

A study to determine the library and information needs of 80 continuing education students of the University of Botswana pursuing Diploma in Accounting and Business Studies was carried out in two locations in Botswana, with the objectives of identifying the library and information needs of the part-time evening students; identifying the barriers to the use of information sources; and establishing the extent of knowledge of computing and information skills by the part-time evening students. The findings reveal that major areas of information need related to course of study: job opportunities; career development and further education after diploma programme. The study also reveals that the University of Botswana Library does not adequately cater for the library and information needs of the students. The study recommends that the University of Botswana Library should ask for a space in the local public library, a secondary school or any school library to keep some materials for their use, that the University should negotiate access to and/or install computer with Internet facilities for them in a local library and lastly, the University Library or its branch should run a mobile library that would visit the satellite centres occasionally.

Usability of University Library Home Pages in Southern Africa: a case study

Muswazi, P. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

This is a case study of eight Southern African university library home pages. Its purpose is to trace usability from the 1990s in the context of limited information and computer literacy and English skills. Using the Wayback Machine, WAVE, version 4.0 and Readability test tools and manual checks, the evaluative criteria included accessibility, readability, library-user interaction facilities, currency and visual appeal and innovativeness. The main hurdles established are: (i) lack of alternative texts for images, (ii) use of terminology likely to be misunderstood and availability of content not understandable to all users, (iii) invisibility of cutting edge resources and services and (iv) outdated information and use of strenuous color schemes. Usability improvements included online forms to ease library-user communication and increasing adoption of attractive resources and services. The study concludes that the usability of the home pages beyond 2008 depends on rigorous implementation of usability standards and giving prominence to innovative resources and services.

ABCD: a new FOSS library automation solution based on ISIS

de Smet, E. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

The new ABCD software for free and open library automation with ISIS is presented with its technological and practical characteristics. As a web-based integrated solution it combines most (if not all) functions of other systems such as KOHA with the flexibility of the (Win)ISIS software to create and handle databases of any structure. The main technical characteristics as well as some managerial issues are briefly presented. The planning on the further work is discussed along with some challenges related to the specific nature of the ISIS users community.

New Information Sources

Kar, D. C — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

Current Abstracts

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

Forthcoming Events

Flury, R. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST

Stray Thoughts: Space and the Library

Msafiri, — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:58:13 PST