Preservation and Management of Audiovisual Archives in Botswana.

This paper reviews the state of the audio-visual collections held by different government institutions in Botswana. The rationale of such review rests on the observation that although audiovisual materials constitute a vital information resource in such institutions, they are often not adequately managed after they are created. The paper identifies the types of audiovisual materials found in the public sector and the challenges in the management of the materials. The paper shows that many of the problems related to the management of audiovisual materials in the country emanate from weak legislative framework, lack of trained personnel in the management of audiovisual materials, technological challenges, inadequate storage facilities and the perception by users that audiovisual materials are not as valuable as records in other formats. The paper proffers strategies for dealing with the challenges of preserving and improving the use of audiovisual materials in Botswana.Keywords: Audiovisual materials, records management, preservation, National Archives, Botswana

A Review of ESARBICA Resolutions 1969-2005

This article provides a summary of the major issues addressed during General Conferences of the Eastern and Southern African Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ESARBICA) held between 1969 and 2005. It discusses some of the major resolutions passed during the General Conferences showing the progress that has been made in implementing them within ESARBICA member states. The article concludes by suggesting that, as a professional association, ESARBICA has been a major instrument in the development of archives and records management programmes and services in the region. African Journal of Library Archives and Information Science Vol. 17 (1) 2007: pp. 23-3

Migrated Archives Revisited

This article argues that interest in resolving problems associated with migrated archives which had been given priority by many African countries soon after independence appears to have waned over the years such that not much activity is taking place towards the restitution of these archives to their countries of origin. The article begins by identifying the broad categories that constitute migrated archives and shows how agencies such as the International Council on Archives, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization the United Nations have sought solutions to this issue. The article explores various options for dealing with migrated archives such as digitization, microfilming and bilateral arrangements which may include the adoption of Mutual Cultural Heritage concept in which disputed archival claims are considered to be a shared cultural property belonging to more than one state.Keywords: Archival Claims, Migrated Archives, Mutual Cultural Heritage, Shared Cultural Propert

Disaster preparedness in information centres in Gaborone, Botswana

This study aimed to determine how information centres in Gaborone, Botswana are prepared for disasters. The information centres studied were the Botswana National Library Services, the Botswana National Archives and Records Services, academic libraries, special libraries and records management units in various government ministries and departments. Questionnaire, interviews and personal observations were the main instruments of data collection. The study revealed that information centres in Botswana were ill-prepared for disasters. They lacked disaster preparedness plans, had inadequate policies and procedures, ill-equipped staff on disaster management, and absence of conservation and restoration facilities. The study recommends the formulation of specific disaster plans for all information centres, the training of information centre staff on disaster preparedness, and equipping of information centres with appropriate tools and resources.African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science Vol. 18 (1) 2008 pp. 63-7

The print media and conflict resolution in Northern Uganda

This article reviews the role of the print media in conflict resolution. Using Northern Uganda as a case study, the article seeks to demonstrate that the press can effectively be used either to fuel conflict in a region or to reduce conflict in a region. The article seeks to demonstrate the role played by the print media in conflict and conflict resolution in Northern Uganda. It discusses the role of the press in Uganda, traces the roots of the problem in Northern Uganda, describes the methodology used in gathering data for the study and presents the results obtained from the study, which was conducted in 2001. Finally, the article has identified specific recommendations which if implemented can be used to address the on-going conflict in Northern Uganda. African Journal on Conflict Resolution Vol. 4 (1) 2004: pp. 27-4

Records management audit: The case of Gaborone city council

This study aimed at auditing records management practices atGaborone City Council (GCC). The study sought to establish howrecords are created, used, maintained and disposed of at GCC. Italso sought to determine the usage of information communicationtechnologies in the creation, maintenance, use and disposition ofrecords, the existence or non-existence of records management policiesand procedures, as well as records security measures at GCC. Acase study methodology was used and questionnaires were distributedto 35 officers selected from senior members of staff and records/administrative personnel. Personal observations were carried out andinterviews were conducted to substantiate data gathered from thequestionnaires. The study revealed that GCC lacks organization-widepolicies and procedures for the creation, use, maintenance and dispositionof records resulting in uncoordinated procedures for managing its records and that most of the processes for managing records were manual. The study recommends that GCC develops and implements Council-wide records management policies and procedures to ensure the creation and maintenance of authentic, reliable, complete and useable records, capable of supporting business functions and activities for as long as they are needed

Archives in the trenches: repatriation of African National Congress liberation archives in diaspora to South Africa

Please access the full-text of this article at the doi link at the top of this record.The African National Congress (ANC) liberation archives were created in countries all over the world. These liberation archives form part of the national archival heritage of South Africa as they bridge the gap of undocumented history of people who were previously marginalised by the apartheid government. After the ban on liberation movements was lifted in South Africa, the ANC embarked on the process of identification and repatriation of the records that were fragmented throughout the world. This study investigated the approaches followed by the ANC in identifying and repatriating its liberation archives from the trenches to make them accessible. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with purposively selected employees of the African National Congress, MultiChoice, Africa Media Online and the Nelson Mandela Foundation who were involved in the repatriation of the liberation archives. Interview data were augmented through content analysis of ANC documents such as policies, websites and annual reports, as well as observation of the storage conditions of the liberation archives. The key findings revealed that the ANC stablished an archives management committee that played an important role in the identification, repatriation and, ultimately, digitisation of liberation archives. The committee utilised former liberation struggle members to identify records in ANC hosts in various countries. It was established that, although the ANC was aware of where its records were abroad, not all its records were repatriated to South Africa after the unbanning of the liberation movements. For example, there were host nations, like Italy, that disputed the return of the ANC liberation archives to South Africa. The liberation archives are in the custody of the Fort Hare University as a chosen official repository for the ANC. It is concluded that the repatriation of the liberation archives is an ongoing process, as not all records have been repatriated to South Africa. As the ANC is in power at the time of writing, this is the opportunity for the organisation to negotiate with countries that still have custody of its liberation archives, such as Italy, to repatriate such records to South Africa. A further study on legal ownership and copyright, digitisation and ensuring the authenticity of the ANC liberation archives is recommended. This study can be extended to other liberation movements in southern Africa.Information Scienc