Strategies for Providing Access to Information No Matter the Location, Technological Access, and Patron: A case for Malawi

Malawi has a number of researchers located in various scientific institutions throughout the country who use information available in different formats. Apart from these researchers, the country has also scholars, policy makers, teachers, extension workers and farmers who seek information for various usages. Some of the uses of the information are literature review, teaching and learning, extension, planning, decision making, access to markets for farm produces and community education. Providing access to relevant information involve a number of players such as librarians, communication and information experts and broadcasters. Access to the information must be timely and in the right format considering that there is now advanced technology. The paper therefore talks of the various ways of accessing relevant information in Malawi, taking into consideration the available technology and the location of the information users. The paper also outlines the challenges faced by those involved in providing the needed information

ABSTRACTS OF PRESENTATIONS

Second International Conference on African Digital Libraries and Archives, abstracts of presentation

Creating digital library collections: the experience of Malawi university libraries

Recently libraries in Malawi, notably at the University of Malawi, have begun to create the first digital library collections of local documents such as theses, reports, scientific papers, speeches by politicians, and materials on HIV AIDS, reproductive health, and gender issues. Most of these documents were originally in printed form, so the digitisation process started with scanning, then moved on to the creation of collections using open source software such as Greenstone, DSpace, Endnote and the Electronic Records and Management System. Activities around the creation of digital library collections in Malawi libraries started after some librarians attended workshops on the subject both within and outside the country. Major challenges to these projects include inadequate technical expertise and equipment, lack of OCR software, inappropriate copyright law, and the use of different content software resulting in the inability of institutions to exchange records. Moreover, these collections are not yet accessible on the internet. However, Malawi libraries are making strong efforts to resolve these challenges; some are acquiring appropriate equipment and software, the Malawi Copyright Act of 1989 is being revised to accommodate electronic documents, and librarians are gaining expertise through hands-on training.Innovation, no.43 December 201