Libraries for Tomorrow: The Use of ICT and Space Transformation in Some Academic Libraries in Ghana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/9896Keywords:
Information technologies, Learning Commons, Digitisation, E-resources, Academic libraries, GhanaAbstract
Purpose-the aim of the study was to examine transformations in academic library spaces in Ghana
Design/Methodology/approach-the quantitative approach was adopted for this study. Data was collected using Google Forms. A total of 98 librarians from five academic libraries in Ghana representing less than 10% of all librarians in academic libraries in Ghana. Data collected was analysed using the R 4. 0 programming Software and presented using charts and tables.
Findings- Eighty-one percent (81%) of the participants agreed that their libraries were moving from ‘book-centered’ to ‘technology supported and learning centered’ libraries engineered by emerging technologies and the changing demand of academic library users. Again, it was revealed that librarians had moderate to low skills in providing advanced technological support to users in creating, capturing, editing, and sharing multimedia (video, audio, text, images) for their research, teaching, and learning purposes. Finally, results from the multinomial regression analysis with p values showed that availability of IT utilities, usability and skills of librarians were significant revealing that they have effects on the levels of library space transformation.
Practical implications- The capabilities of librarians should be improved form undertaking basic computing task to providing advanced support to their users. Stakeholder and academic library management should encourage their young librarian to further their education and engage in continuous professional development programmes. Libraries should develop strategies to secure the necessary funding to implement IT facilities.
Originality-The study used quantitative methods to study transformations in academic library spaces, a grey researched area in Ghana.
References
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Yang, Sharon Q., and Lili Li. 2016. Emerging Technologies for Librarians: A Practical Approach in Innovation. Cambridge: Chandos Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-84334-788-0.00001-X.
Afrane, Daniel Akwasi. 2020. “Access to and Impact of Information Technologies at Balme Library, University of Ghana.” MLIS diss., University of South Africa. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/26661.
Aharony, Noa, and Miri Shonfeld. 2015. “ICT Use: Educational Technology and Library and Information Science Students’ Perspectives—An Exploratory Study.” Interdisciplinary Journal of e-Skills and Life-Long Learning 11: 191–207. http://www.ijello.org/Volume11/IJELLv11p191-207Aharony1970.pdf.
Appiah, Antonia B., Musah Adams, and Isaac Nyarko Adu. 2016. “Change Management in Library Environments: A Comparative Study of Private and Public University Libraries in Ghana.” International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 13 (1): 25–38.
Ayoku, Ojedokun A., and Victoria Nwamaka Okafor. 2015. “ICT Skills Acquisition and Competencies of Librarians: Implications for Digital and Electronic Environment in Nigerian Universities Libraries.” The Electronic Library 33 (3): 502–23. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-08-2013-0155.
Babu, B. Ramesh, P. Vinayagamoorthy, and S. Gopalakrishnan. 2007. “ICT Skills among Librarians in Engineering Educational Institutions in Tamil Nadu.” DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology 27 (6): 55–64. https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.27.6.145.
Beagle, Donald. 2010. “The Emergent Information Commons: Philosophy, Models, and 21st Century Learning Paradigms.” Journal of Library Administration 50 (1): 7–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930820903422347.
Bickley, Rachel, and Sheila Corrall. 2011. “Student Perceptions of Staff in the Information Commons: A Survey at the University of Sheffield.” Reference Services Review 39 (2): 223–43. https://doi.org/10.1108/00907321111135466.
Chow, Anthony S., and Timothy Bucknall. 2012. Library Technology and User Services: Planning, Integration, and Usability Engineering. Cambridge: Chandos Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-84334-638-8.50006-0.
Crockett, Charlotte, Sarah McDaniel, and Melanie Remy. 2002. “Integrating Services in the Information Commons: Towards a Holistic Library and Computing Environment.” Library Administration and Management 16 (4): 181–86.
Evans, Gwen. 2012. “Emerging Technologies: How Do We Know What’s Happening ‘on the Ground’?” Public Services Quarterly 8 (2): 164–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228959.2012.675284.
He, Peter Wei, and Michael Knee. 1995. “The Challenge of Electronic Services Librarianship.” Reference Services Review 23 (4): 7–12. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb049260.
Husain, Shabahat, and Mohammad Nazim. 2015. “Use of Different Information and Communication Technologies in Indian Academic Libraries.” Library Review 64 (1/2): 135–53. https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-06-2014-0070.
IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions). 2017. International Advocacy Programme: IAP Update October 2017: Libraries, Development and the UN 2030 Agenda. The Hague: IFLA. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/assets/hq/topics/libraries-development/documents/iap-update-october2017.pdf.
Jager, Karin. 2004. “Navigators and Guides: The Value of Peer Assistance in Student Use of Electronic Library Facilities.” VINE 34 (3): 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1108/03055720410563450.
Kasi Rao, V., and B. Ramesh Babu. 2000. “Application of Information Technology (IT) in Special Libraries, Information, and Documentation Centres (LIBIDOCS) in Chennai: A Study of Its Impact on LIS.” In Proceedings of the Seventh National Convention for Automation of Libraries in Education and Research on Information Services in a Networked Environment in India. Ahmedabad: INFLIBNET Centre. http://ir.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/1944/154.
Mahwasane, N. P., and N. P. Mudzielwana. 2016. “Challenges of Students in Accessing Information in the Library: A Brief Review.” Journal of Communication 7 (2): 216–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/0976691X.2016.11884900.
Mathews, Janie M., and Harold Pardue. 2009. “The Presence of IT Skill Sets in Librarian Position Announcements.” College and Research Libraries 70 (3): 250–57 https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/article/view/16009.
Mbagwu, Francisca C., Reuben E. Ozioko, and Emeka Ogueri. 2017. “The Extent of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Infrastructure Application in Library and Information Science Education in Nigeria.” International Journal of Library and Information Science 9 (5): 44–53. https://doi.org/10.5897/IJLIS2017.0782.
Moorthy, Aragonda Lakshmana, and C. R. Karisiddappa. 2001. “Information Infrastructure and Use of Electronic Media in Indian Libraries.” In Proceedings of the First South Indian Conference, 18–19 October 2001, PS Telugu University, Hyderabad, edited by Aragonda Lakshmana Moorthy and M. Sankara Reddy, 148–62. Hyderabad: PS Telugu University Library and ILA South Zone. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279649967.
Ntui, Aniebiet Inyang, and Comform Linus Inyang. 2015. “Utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Resources and Job Effectiveness among Library Staff in the University of Calabar and Cross River University of Technology, Nigeria.” Journal of Education and Practice 6 (6): 102–06. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1083612.pdf.
Nwagwu, William Ezinwa, and Margaret Molaodi Matobako. 2021. “Emerging Knowledge Commons in the Public Libraries in South Africa” Library Hi Tech 147: 1–39. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-01-2021-0036.
Nnenna, Otubelu Blessing, and Leonard Emenike Ume. 2015. “Digitization of Library Resources in Academic Libraries: Challenges and Implication.” IOSR Journal of Mobile Computing and Application 2 (2): 35–40. https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jmca/papers/Vol2-issue2/F0223540.pdf.
Oak, M. 2016. “Impact of Technology on Education.” Accessed June 20, 2021. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/impact-of-technology-on-education.html.
Rathnabahu, R. M. Nadeeka. 2015. “Challenges of Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in University Libraries and Special Libraries in Sri Lanka.” In Challenges for Information Professionals and LIS Services in the 21st Century, ICLIS 2015, 120–24. Accessed June 23, 2021. https://www.academia.edu/16495801/Challenges_of_using_Information_and_Communication_Technologies_ICTs_in_university_libraries_and_special_libraries_in_Sri_Lanka.
Sammeta, Santhosh Goud, and Sahith Reddy Madara. 2017. “Impact of Information Technologies on Library Services in Educational Institutions.” In 2017 International Conference on Infocom Technologies and Unmanned Systems (Trends and Future Directions) (ICTUS), edited by Sunil Kumar Khatri, 662–68. New York, NY: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICTUS.2017.8286091.
Steiner, Heidi M., and Robert P. Holley. 2009. “The Past, Present, and Possibilities of Commons in the Academic Library.” The Reference Librarian 50 (4): 309–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/02763870903103645.
Verma, Manoj Kumar. 2014. “Information Communication Technology (ICT) Challenges for Library Professional: A Professional Approach.” In Conference: Libraries Towards Digital Paradigm, 354–63. Faizabad: Bharti Publication. Accessed June 23, 2021. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Manoj-Verma-16/publication/327280711_Information_Communication_Technology_ICT_Challenges_for_Library_Professional_A_Professional_Approach/links/5b8621eea6fdcc5f8b6e9786/Information-Communication-Technology-ICT-Challenges-for-Library-Professional-A-Professional-Approach.pdf.
Yang, Sharon Q., and Lili Li. 2016. Emerging Technologies for Librarians: A Practical Approach in Innovation. Cambridge: Chandos Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-84334-788-0.00001-X.
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Published
2022-09-06
How to Cite
Afrane, Daniel Akwasi, Antonia Bernadette Donkor, and George Clifford Yamson. 2022. “Libraries for Tomorrow: The Use of ICT and Space Transformation in Some Academic Libraries in Ghana”. Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies 40 (2):16 pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/9896.
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