Networking the Africa Regional Group of IAMSLIC - the way forward

pp. 49-5

The contribution of staff training and development programmes to effective library and information services in selected university libraries in Ghana

This study investigated the contribution of staff training and development programmes to effective library and information services in selected university libraries in Ghana. The rationale of the study was to establish the relationship between training and development of library staff and work performance of individual library staff, university libraries and the institutions as a whole, which should reflect in effective and efficient provision of library and information services. The researcher reviewed extensively literature on relevant subject areas related to staff training and development including: the concept of training and development, training needs analysis and assessment, staff training and development, monitoring and evaluation of training, effects of training on job performance, measuring return on investment in training and effectiveness of library and information services. The researcher adopted a survey research method because of the large geographical areas over which the university libraries are located and therefore dispersed population. The researcher adopted mixed methods research approach and thus data was collected using interviews, observations and questionnaires. The researcher also used a mixed sampling method where the researcher combined both probability and non-probability sampling methods in sampling the population. The population for the study comprised library staff, faculty and students from five selected universities in Ghana. The total population from the five universities was 139,463 based on which a sample of 860 was chosen. Thematic content analysis technique was use to analyse qualitative data, while statistical package for service solution was used to analyse quantitative data. The main findings of the study were that staff training and development programmes contributed to the improvement of the knowledge, skills, abilities and experiences of library staff in the universities in Ghana, thereby made university library staff in Ghana more effective and efficient in the provision of library and information services to the university community. However staff development practices alone did not contribute to job performance. Staff development practices were supported with human resource management strategies such as rewards, promotions, bonuses, salary increase and other motivational strategies. Finally the study identified inadequate funding and short falls in the training policies as some of the challenges facing the implementation of staff training and development initiatives in the university libraries in Ghana. It recommends the establishment of training units within the university libraries and adequate budgetary provisions to invest in staff training and development programmes for library staff as well as the adoption of train the trainer concept where staff who participated in training and development programmes are asked to train colleagues and submit a report for the benefit of colleagues as a way of improving staff development practices in the university libraries in Ghana. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on staff training and development and work performance in university libraries.Information Scienc

NEW DIRECTIONS FOR LIBRARIES – LESSONS FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN GHANA

The University Library provides services to support the core business of a university namely, teaching, learning, research and public service.   The advent of Information Communication Technology has drastically changed information management and delivery of services.   This article discusses the role of a University Library and the Librarian in the University System.   The revolutionary changes in libraries where libraries must focus on the needs of customers (users) in building the library rather than the traditional focus on collection development is extensively discussed.   Finally, the article also examines the use of technologies in libraries

Repackaging marine and aquatic information for fishermen in Ghana: the way forward.

pp. 169-17

Dissemination of Scientific Information: Adopting a Strategic Approach for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Accra, Ghana

The paper examined the information dissemination processes by the thirteen institutes of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research of Ghana. The CSIR core mandate is to coordinate and manage all the national Research projects. Research findings are usually disseminated to benefit the citizenry.The main objective of this study was to develop and recommend a strategic approach for disseminating the scientific information that is generated by the CSIR institutes.The study adopted a survey research design and mixed research methods which involve the combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches in one single study.The findings revealed that the STI generated by the CSIR vary from one institute to another, it takes between 6 months to 2 years to disseminate research findings to the general public a situation which is not acceptable.The results further revealed that the CSIR disseminates STI in various formats ranging from journal articles, technical reports, radio and television talk shows, manuals, books and conference proceedings and there is a limited use of emerging technologies namely, emails, internet based group discussions to communicate STI to the general public.The study finally recommends: the adoption of electronic information dissemination methods such as emails, social media platforms, group discussions, lists to target groups who are computer literates, The CSIR must develop a policy for STI dissemination; this will help the various institutes to follow the acceptable standards in STI dissemination, Repackaging of STI. The CSIR should repackage STI and use the appropriate format, media to disseminate the information to the various targeted groups and The various institutes should conduct frequent STI needs assessment/analysis to determine the STI needs of the users, this will help in determining which STI will be relevant and in what format

An assessment of IFLA/DANIDA sponsored ILL/DD project in Ghana - The users point of view

No Abstract Available Ghana Library Journal Vol.14. 2002: 47-5

DANIDA Grantees' Impressions of the IFLA Conference in Glasgow

The theme of the Conference: ’Libraries for life: democracy, diversity and delivery’ is a relevant one, because it emphasizes the strategic contribution of libraries in society. It is a very up-to-date theme, specially within the African context where libraries are vital for the struggle against illiteracy and the promotion of social development. My whole impression of the Conference is a good one. I am wondering whether attending IFLA Conference would be such an exciting experience without the exhibition and library visits. The exhibition gives the opportunity to discover concretely many organizations dealing with librarianship, to collect a great amount of information, and eventually to build partnership with some of them in which we take interest. I also found library visits very important, for they permit exchange of experi- ence and the discovery of library systems and architecture completely different from ours. It has been a fruitful experience for me and I will do my best to make my association profit from i