Effectiveness of Information and Communication Technologies in Promoting and Disseminating Information to Users at the Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

This study mainly investigated the effectiveness of Information and Communication Technologies in promoting and disseminating information to users at the Museum and House of Culture (MHC). Spesifically, the study sought to identify information and communication channels used, examine the application of ICT in online and onsite museum services and the patterns of ICT use, and to determine the challenges faced in applying ICT in promoting and disseminating information to the users. The sample size consisted of 72 respondents (48 staf fand 24 museum users). Data for this study were collected using documentary review, questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussion and observation. Whereas quantitative data were analysed using SPSS qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The study findings revealed that MHC uses various channels of communication and that electronic and computerised communication channels were preferred by the majority of the respondents. The challenges to effective utilisation of ICT at the Museum included inadequate skills, inadequate funds, technological obsolescence and technophobia among staff. The study concludes that, although MHC uses various channels of communication and different ICTs in its operations, communication links at the MHC have a lot of weaknesses and challenges. Thus, the study recommends the formulation of the Museum Information and ICT Policy to have in place a staff development plan in addition to increasing public awareness on museum potentiality.Key words: ICT Application in Museums, Museums, Tanzani

The impact of electronic information resource use on research output: experiences from Universities in Tanzania

This paper examines the impact of the use of electronic information resources on research output in the universities in Tanzania. Research for this paper was conducted in five public universities in Tanzania with varied levels of access to electronic information resources. The selection of the sample universities was purposive. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews, questionnaires and key informant interviews. Analysis of data employed descriptive and quantitative techniques. Empirical data revealed that the use of online information resources has a positive impact on various research activities and milestones such as research proposal submission, research proposal funding, research report writing and journal article publishing. The results therefore provide empirical support for a positive relationship between the use of electronic information resources and research output and publishing in general. This was demonstrated in the increased number of proposals prepared, submitted and funded, research reports submitted, journal articles published and chapters in books and books published with increased access to and use of electronic information resources. Results also show that although researchers who are actually using the scholarly databases are small in number the core group of researchers using these resources is growing and the use of resources is becoming more frequent and diverse. The major challenges observed include ineffective marketing strategies on the availability of the resources, inadequate training of end users, questionable content relevance of some of the resources and issues of sustainability of access given high levels of donor dependency for subscriptions. Finally, limited variations in terms of intensity of use of resources were observed between junior and higher ranking academics; and younger and older members of faculty. The paper makes a number of recommendations

Secondary Education Development Plan (SEDP) and the provision of library service in Tanzania: a Case Study of Sumbawanga Municipality

This article examines the status of school library service provision after the establishment of the Secondary Education Development Plan (SEDP) in Sumbawanga Municipality, Tanzania. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and observation from four secondary schools. Findings show that the surveyed schools had libraries, with various materials, like books, magazines, video and audio tapes. CD-ROMs and computers were rarely found. Findings also revealed that although there were some improvements in the quality of library collections after the introduction of SEDP, the library services offered did not meet learning and teaching needs. There were few books, and space and furniture were inadequate. It is recommended that school library services should be prioritized with a variety of resources in print and electronic formats. As a long-term measure school libraries should be managed by professional staff. Lastly, Education programmes like SEDP should include all education stakeholders, including library experts, who would advise the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MOEVT) and the government in general on issues concerning school library services

Knowledge Management (KM) Practices in Institutions of Higher Learning in Tanzania with Reference to Mbeya University of Science and Technology

This study examined the knowledge management (KM) practices in Institutions of Higher Learning. Specifically, the study examined the level of awareness and understanding of KM among Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST) staff, and the existing knowledge management practices in addition to soliciting for the perceptions and opinions of staff on the current KM practices. Primary data were collected from 60 respondents comprising teaching and non-teaching staff using the questionnaire, face-to-face interviews and observation. The major findings of the study revealed that MUST staff were not explicitly aware of KM practices; there were no knowledge management initiatives in place at MUST; moreover, few or no strategies were employed in Managing knowledge; and there was no agreed upon mechanism for knowledge sharing. Thus, this study recommends establishing proper structure to promote and enhance KM practices in the institution. Also individuals should be encouraged to take on board knowledge management practices in their work. Furthermore, KM practices should be an integral part of the organisational culture.Key words: Knowledge management, Knowledge management practices, Tanzani

The state of information literacy in selected private secondary schools in Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania

This study examined the state of information literacy (IL) in selected private secondary schools in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by looking at the availability of IL programmes in secondary schools; methods used to impart IL skills to students; the challenges and strategies that could be used to enhance effectiveness of IL programmes in secondary schools to ensure students become lifelong independent learners. The study involved four private secondary schools, namely: Alpha, Loyola, St. Anthony and St. Joseph Secondary schools. The sample was composed of one hundred students, twenty classroom teachers, four head teachers, eight librarians and four heads of the school libraries. A survey method was used in which data were collected using a standardized questionnaire with both closed and open- ended questions which was administered to respondents in, face –to –face interviews, data were also collected using Focus Group Discussions and observations.The findings revealed that library orientation is the most popular method used to impart IL skills to students. Factors constraining IL programmes in secondary schools include lack of cooperation between librarians and teachers, inadequate IT facilities, inadequate library skills, lack of awareness on the importance of IL in schools, failure to t integrate IL in the curriculum, poor searching skills, inability of students to evaluate information accessed over the Internet, lack of IL policy, exclusion of IL in the timetable, inadequate librarians and financial constraints.This study recommends cooperation between classroom teachers and library staff in the implementation of IL programmes; improvement of methods of running IL programmes; change of teaching approach in advanced secondary schools and formulation of the IL policy in secondary schools

Expansion of Information Studies (IS) Programme at the University of Dar es Salaam: A Feasibility Study

The objective of this feasibility study was to explore strategies for expanding the Information Studies Programme with a focus on curriculum content and delivery mode. It explored stakeholders’ requirements in terms of curriculum content and delivery modes. Multiple strategies were used to collect data and information. The methods used included review of secondary sources, questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. All these methods were triangulated in order to complement each other as each method has its strengths and weaknesses in data collection. Respondents were drawn from 26 institutions. The findings of the study indicated that there is great diversity in skills and knowledge required for professional and career development as information provision services diverge from the traditional four-wall structures. The training needs call for a wider coverage than what is currently provided and the delivery mode also needs diversification. The study recommends that the structure of both the core and optional courses of the current MA programme be revised; postgraduate diploma and taught PhD programmes be introduced and delivery modes be diversified.Key words: LIS education: education delivery mode: Tanzani

Preservation and accessibility of audio-visual records in Tanzania’s television broadcasting companies

This study investigated the preservation and accessibility of audio-visual records in television broadcasting companies in Tanzania. Specifically, it set out to determine how audio-visual records are preserved in television broadcasting companies; to establish how audio-visual records in television broadcasting companies in Tanzania are accessed and to examine challenges to effective preservation and accessing of audiovisual records in television broadcasting companies in Tanzania. The literature reviewed and the findings from pilot study indicate that many AV records are produced by individuals, television companies and other entities in both rural and urban Tanzania. They also indicate that there are intervening factors such as resource constraints, technological incompatibility, inadequate infrastructure, inadequate skills, environmental factors, and unclear policies the hinder access to and use of audio-visual records. Since the preservation and accessibility to audio-visual records is challenging due to intervening factors, it is recommended that approaches used (passive preservation and active preservation) to preserve audio-visual records be constantly reviewed to identify strategies that could be used to address challenges as they arise in order to improve preservation and accessibility of the relevant records.Keywords: Audio-visual records, Records Preservation, Records Accessibility, Tanzani

Use of Participatory Forest Management as a Strategy for Sustainability of Kazimzumbwi and Pugu Forest Reserves, Tanzania

This study investigated the strategies for improving access to and use of information for forest management with particular reference to Kazimzumbwi and Pugu forest reserves in Coast Region located in the Pugu Hills area, about 20 km south-west of Dar es Salaam, in Tanzania. The review of literature and preliminary findings indicate that the majority of the people in developing countries, especially in rural areas depend on forests for multiple purposes such as construction materials, medicine, fodder, fuel wood, and domestic utensils. Moreover, the levels of forest degradation and deforestation are on the increase due to population pressure on forest resources, economic activities and climate change which are major challenges threatening forest resources. The findings also indicate that the Tanzania government recognises Participatory Forest Management (PFM) as a right strategy for effective forest management and sustainable forest use. Although PFM plays a central role in Tanzania’s forest laws and policies, there is still a high rate of deforestation and forest degradation resulting in the reduction of forests to almost a half of the forests because of illegal activities. This could, to some extent, be attributed to rural communities’ inadequate access to and use of information for forest management. Since it is acknowledged that access to and use of information is critical in forest management it is recommended that the flow of information be closely monitored to minimise any obstructions. Secondly, the information communicated should be repackaged for ease of access and use by the majority of people, especially the targeted group in rural areas, who cannot understand scientific information. Thirdly, since general mass media, groups such as youth and women, awareness campaigns, and involvement in civil society activities are the real information transmission belts in communities, which bring immediate positive impacts, they should be effectively used by forest agencies.Key Words: Participatory Forest Management, Access to Information, Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve, Pugu Forest Reserve, Tanzani

A social history of clients’ perspectives on and use of traditional healing therapies in KwaMashu M Section, KwaZulu-Natal, 1960s-2000s.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This thesis focuses on the history of traditional healing from the client’s perspective. It does this by examining the perspectives on and experiences of various African men and women who lived in KwaMashu’s M Section in Durban between the 1960s and 2000s. These clients are of different ages, education levels and socio-economic backgrounds. This study seeks to determine what these people think about the value and use of the services of traditional healers and traditional medicines in their community. It also seeks to understand whether their perceptions of and use of traditional healing therapies in this KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) community have changed over time and in what ways. In addition, it examines whether KwaMashu M Section clients have historically adopted pluralistic health-seeking strategies and thus encouraged borrowings across different healing traditions. The research is important as many Africans living in KwaZulu-Natal continue to use traditional healing therapies on a daily basis. This means that it remains a popular alternative to biomedical health care services. Moreover, although there has been much literature produced on the subject of traditional healers, few scholars have worked on the “patient’s view” on this subject. My research contributes to this wider historiography on traditional healing by exploring the voices of clients of traditional healers. It seeks to expand the focus on patients in medical history

Transformasi perkhidmatan perpustakaan melalui lonjakan profesionalisme pustakawan

Users need libraries more than ever now especially in the presence of excessive information which is brought about by the users’ lack of information skills and time. On the other hand, librarians are also being pressured by a dynamic information environment resulting from rapid ICT developments. Libraries need to undergo a service transformation, especially in Sarawak in order for it to become the state with the highest income in Malaysia in 2030. Thus, librarians need to make a professional shift if changes are to be made in improving the provision of library services to their users