The Implementation of Social Media Based Library Services at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria.

Academic libraries are faced with the challenge of meeting the varied demands of users stemming from the ever-increasing different formats of information resources. These libraries around the world have thus adopted the use of social media -to render the required services to library users. FUTO library is experiencing serious challenges in the effort to accommodate the needs of its users - including the increasing number of users small reading spaces compared to the rising student population and the fact that many students live off-campus. This study investigates the possibility of adopting social media-based library services at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), to overcome the library’s challenges

A critical analysis of information and knowledge societies with specific reference to the interaction between local and global knowledge systems

Benefiting from the process of globalisation and becoming an information and knowledge society, has become the vision for many governments throughout the world. However, as it has been demonstrated in this thesis, becoming an information and knowledge society is much easier for developed countries that already possess some of the prerequisite criteria, such as an efficient and effective ICT infrastructure. By investing in such an infrastructure, the interaction and exchange of data, information, and knowledge from a local knowledge system with the global knowledge system is enabled. Through this two-way flow of information, the other criteria these countries have to comply with are stimulated, making it much easier and faster for these countries to achieve their goal. However, for the developing countries that are still in the grip of the digital divide, the goal of becoming information and knowledge societies seem nearly unattainable. Owing to this digital divide that is experienced by developing countries, combined with other barriers such as the social barriers that include the overall health and education level of citizens, the citizens of these countries cannot take part in the interaction and exchange process. Thus, this interaction and exchange process cannot aid these countries in complying with the other criteria needed to become information and knowledge societies, and in this way, the progress of developing countries towards becoming information and knowledge societies are seriously hampered. How does the interaction and exchange of data, information, and knowledge between developing countries’ local knowledge systems and the global knowledge system contribute to their development and positive participation in the global information and knowledge society? This is the research question that has guided this thesis. To get an answer to this question the author addressed the following issues: The author sketched the theoretical foundation of this thesis by providing a brief historical perspective of the Information Science domain. This provided a better understanding of concepts such as data, information, knowledge, global-, western-, and scientific knowledge as well as indigenous-, traditional-, and local knowledge as applied in this thesis. The underlying relationship between these concepts were also explored. Furthermore, the phenomenon of the global information and knowledge society was discussed as one of the opportunities presented by globalisation. The author then analysed the criteria of the information and knowledge society as discussed in Chapter 3, and identified indicators that the stated criteria are constructed from. To investigate whether developed countries are information and knowledge societies, these indicators were applied to Norway and the USA. It was concluded that both countries comply with the stated criteria and are thus information and knowledge societies. The author followed the same method of investigation and applied the indicators identified in Chapter 4 to two developing countries, namely Niger and South Africa. It was concluded that both these countries do not comply with the stated criteria and, thus, are not information and knowledge societies. Furthermore, barriers were identified by the author that inhibit these countries from becoming information and knowledge societies. Lastly, the author discussed proposed solutions and recommendations that can be used to overcome the various barriers that inhibit the progress of developing countries becoming information and knowledge societies. Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2008.Information ScienceDPhilunrestricte

The road to the information and knowledge society : indigenous knowledge and the Millennium Development Goals

Benefiting from the process of globalisation and becoming an information and knowledge society has become the vision for many governments throughout the world. However, becoming such a society is much easier for developed countries as they already possess some of the prerequisite criteria to be classified as an information and knowledge society. These criteria include a stable economy, an efficient physical infrastructure, and an effective ICT infrastructure, to mention a few (Britz 2006; Holmner 2008). As many of the criteria of an information and knowledge society coincide with the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), it is much easier and faster for these developed countries to achieve these goals and benefit from the global economy. For developing countries that are still experiencing a digital divide, these goals seem nearly unattainable. As the deadline for achieving the MDGs is only five years away, it has become imperative for developing countries to investigate other roads and possibilities to assist them in progressing towards attaining these goals at an increased speed. Utilising indigenous knowledge is one of these roads that developing countries are making use of to reach this destination.This paper was presented at the 6th Biennial ProLISSA Conference, Pretoria, 9–11 March 2011.http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_mousaion.html or http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=2012

Building Strong Academic Libraries and Library Professionals in Uganda Through the University of Pretoria Carnegie CPD Programme

Academic libraries are encountering numerous changes due to the emerging Information Communication Technological trends and the ever-changing information-seeking behaviour of their users. For the librarians to effectively implement these trends and remain competitive, they need to be regularly equipped with knowledge and skills through Continuing Professional Development. The study aimed to find out the factors that influenced the motivation to participate in the University of Pretoria (UP) Carnegie Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme and the potential impact on service delivery of the selected academic libraries in Uganda as represented in the programme. The study applied a qualitative research design with an interpretive research approach. Exponential non-discriminative snowball sampling was used to recruit participants. The sample size of the study included eight Academic Librarians who attended the UP Carnegie CPD programme between 2014 and 2018. These were from Makerere University, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Muni University. Data was collected using face to face semi-structured interviews and electronically using ZOOM (online platform). The findings of this study show that most UP Carnegie CPD participants mainly attended the programme due to its rich content; they were intrigued by the hands-on subject coverage and new ICT trends, and the need to build their professional networks. The findings further revealed that the participants’ expectations were fulfilled by the various practical sessions held. This explains the reasons for the high applicability of the knowledge and skills acquired by the participants when they went back to their institutions. Finally, the study revealed the following challenges that were encountered by the participants during the implementations of the various initiatives drawn from the CPD knowledge and skills: difficulty in managing social media platform, lack of IR back-end support, limited data analysis skills required in providing research support, library users’ lack of interest in IL training, limited collaboration between Faculty and Librarians, and technophobia from some library staff who frustrate implementation efforts. The study provides recommendations on how to address these challenge

Intelligent transport systems : privacy, security and societal considerations within the Gauteng case study

Intelligent Transport System (ITS) is an umbrella term that describes the integration of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and applications used in effective road network management. These applications include CCTV surveillance and automated tolling through the use of radio communication infrastructure such as e-tags highway gantries. These technologies may assist in the improvement of road networks, ultimately resulting in the development of the economy and prosperity of the country. As the capture of personal information is essential in an ITS, information ethical concerns surrounding privacy and security of personal information belonging to motorists have been raised. Technologies utilised by ITS place motorists under constant surveillance and monitor transit behaviour in real time. However, the big question is whether or not such technological sophistication and economic gains are the primary success factor to any ITS. While these technologies may assist in the improvement of the physical infrastructure of a country, ignoring social impact issues, in the current economic climate, may be catastrophic to the success of a system. An investigation into international examples of such systems and the ITS currently in the implementation phase in Gauteng, South Africa, offers some insight into the ethical considerations and concerns around the management of Gauteng motorists’ information as they begin to register for the new system.http://www.innovation.ukzn.ac.za/innovationbase.htmam201

Becoming an information and knowledge society : Rwanda and the village phone project

Many countries around the world have visions or dreams of becoming information and knowledge societies. These countries wish to benefi t from the many advantages that such societies offer, including improved communication, better education and the reduction of poverty, to mention but a few. However, many countries and communities around the world (especially in Africa) are not part of the information and knowledge society yet, due to barriers such as the digital divide (Holmner 2008). Authors such as Webster (2002), Britz et al (2006) and Holmner (2008) have identifi ed criteria that defi ne an information and knowledge society. These criteria address economic, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, physical infrastructure, and social and human intellectual capacity aspects. Based on these criteria, it is clear that Rwanda, which forms the subject of this study, is not yet an information and knowledge society. This article presents facts on how mobile phone technology such as the Village Phone (VP) can help Rwanda become an information and knowledge society. Qualitative research methods were applied in the form of a literature review and semi-structured interviews which were conducted with the VP users in fi ve Rwandan districts. The results of the study showed that while the adoption of the VP may assist Rwanda to adhere to some criteria of the information and knowledge society (namely the economic and the ICT infrastructure criteria), while slightly assisting adherence to the social criterion, adoption of the VP is not assisting Rwanda to adhere to the physical infrastructure and human intellectual capacity criteria at all. The study further found that if the VP were used in a different manner it could meet more of the required criteria to help Rwanda become an information and knowledge society.http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_mousaion.htmlhttp://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=20129am201

Utilisation of social media tools to enhance knowledge sharing among knowledge workers at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST)

This research article published by Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), 2019This study investigated the utilisation of social media tools to enhance Knowledge Sharing (KS) practices among knowledge workers at The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) of Tanzania. A case study design was used in this study. Data was collected by adopting a combination of document content analysis and semi-structured interviews from library and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) staff. Data was analysed thematically. The study showed that social media tools can be implemented effectively according to institution goal, users’ need and capacity building among knowledge workers. The findings also reviewed the strong commitment of the institution to ensure knowledge dissemination and exchange among its employees through the establishment of an electronic library, reliable internet connection, and having an ICT centre. This is a comprehensive study focusing on knowledge workers’ ability and willingness in utilising social media tools for KS initiatives in Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs); and reveals findings that are useful for planning and implementing social media tools initiatives for KS in other HLIs in the country