Browsing by Author "Mostert, B.J."
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- ItemThe application of the social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information behaviour towards effective service delivery for students with disabilities within an academic library context(University of Zululand, 2019) Eneya, Dorothy; Mostert, B.J.This paper explores the applicability of the social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour for effective service delivery to students with disabilities in the context of academic libraries. The paper is based on a literature review based on Oliver’’s social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour in relation to service provision to students with disabilities in academic libraries. The literature review provided a background to the two models and their criticisms and implications to academic libraries. This paper shows that despite their respective weaknesses, using the social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour in the academic library context offers an opportunity for academic libraries to re-look at their systems and services in order to address the different barriers faced by students with disabilities in their day to day information seeking. As libraries acquire and organise their resources, the needs of students with disabilities should always be prioritised. Academic libraries as a key information source in any academic setting have a responsibility to provide information in various formats using various facilities for easy accessibility and use by their diverse users. Access to any form of information is a fundamental human right. Academic libraries must identify and remove barriers that may inhibit information seeking for students with disabilities. Additionally, academic libraries should use multiple facilities to provide information. This will ensure that information needs for users with disabilities are catered for.
- ItemChallenges in the utilisation and provision of school library services in Katlehong Secondary Schools (Gauteng Province, South Africa).(University of Zululand, 2014) Shandu, Lindiwe Z.Z.; Mostert, B.J.; Evans, N.D.This study sought to identify the issues and challenges facing school libraries in secondary schools in Katlehong, Gauteng province, South Africa. It is the responsibility of the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to make the provision of the resources in the schools for the effective functioning of the libraries. The study revealed little provision from the GDE and as a result school libraries are faced with challenges such as lack of library materials, insufficient staff and funds. These challenges led to under-utilisation of school libraries by both teachers and learners. Very few schools in South Africa have a functional school library, and those that do have one have to maintain it through their own funds and budget. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to conduct this study. Both non-probability (purposive sampling) and probability (simple random sampling) sampling methods were applied. The study clustered specific schools in Katlehong, i.e 14 secondary schools, and purposively selected the teacher-librarians, principals, teachers and learners in these schools, and a Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) official to participate in the study. Purposive sampling was used to sample the 102 teachers who participated in the focus discussion groups, and simple random sampling was used to identify the learners in each school who participated in the study. Four hundred questionnaires were distributed to learners, and three hundred and forty were returned. Interviews were held with the teacher-librarians, principals and the GDE official, while Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held with the teachers. The results from the study revealed that school libraries in Katlehong’s secondary schools face challenges that include lack of staff, outdated and inadequate collections, mis-catalogued and poorly organized books, lack of funds, insufficient library orientation, and the absence of guidelines and leadership from the Department of Education. Very few schools had qualified teacher-librarians in their employ. The teachers who were employed as teacher-librarians confirmed that they were managing the school libraries without the professional skills required to guide both teachers and learners in the use of library resources. All the teacher-librarians had to teach in addition to managing the library, and in most cases the library was closed when they were in class. It was also mentioned that the school timetable did not always include a compulsory library period for all the classes. The need for a collection development policy and the lack of support from the school management team were also highlighted as challenges. Based on the findings both teachers and learners confirmed that their use of the library is restricted in terms of the time they had to use the libraries. There is no sufficient space, poor library orientation is conducted at schools, insufficient library furniture and the libraries keep old, out-dated and irrelevant books. Users have limited access to the Internet.
- ItemInformation and knowledge society and its impact on poverty alleviation and economic empowerment among informal sector women entrepreneurs in South Africa(University of Zululand, 2012) Jiyane, Glenrose Velile; Ocholla, D.N.; Mostert, B.J.; Minishi-Majanja, M.K.The use of tools for development has evolved from the industrial revolution in the late 18th and 19th centuries that saw the increased use of machines and developments in the mining industries, to the increased use of information and technology in the 20th century and major breakthroughs that sparked the evolution into the information and knowledge society of the 21st century. The basis of the information and knowledge society revolves around technology’s increased assimilation and diffusion in human society, particularly information and communication technologies and their rapid growth and use in the exchange of information and knowledge. This society offers many opportunities and benefits to people in terms of the facilitation of information creation, distribution, diffusion, access and use for growth and development in various spheres of life. Information and communication technologies are thus regarded as tools for the advancement and development of communities, and this includes rural, illiterate, marginalized and poor communities and the female entrepreneurs in the informal sector who are the subject of this thesis. The aim of this study was to examine information and knowledge society and its impact on poverty alleviation and the economic empowerment of informal sector women entrepreneurs in South Africa and develop a model for utilization of information and knowledge in the informal sector. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed for triangulation, although the qualitative approach significantly outweighed the quantitative in this study. The absence of a comprehensive list of informal activities in KwaZulu-Natal led to the decision to use snowball, purposive and haphazard sampling techniques to select the sample for the study. Focus group discussions, interviews, observation and content analysis were used to collect data from 118 women entrepreneurs from the informal sector, 17 women leaders, and 4 officials from the Hlabisa Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
- ItemThe information behaviour of law students in Nigerian universities(University of Zululand, 2014) Yemisi, Olorunfemi Doreen; Mostert, B.J.; Ocholla, D.N.Information seeking skills are important for students who are preparing to embark on information intensive professions such as the legal profession. Despite law libraries being available in all the Nigerian universities offering law as an undergraduate programme, law students generally do not seem interested in making optimal use of the available facilities and sources to find relevant information for their studies and to prepare them for their chosen career. Though many information behaviour studies relating to students do exist it is important to establish how and why students, especially those who have to rely on information to perform their duties as legal practitioners, seek for information and how they use the available information facilities and services to satisfy their information needs. The specific objectives of this study were to: investigate the information behaviour of law students in Nigerian university law libraries, determine the purposes for which law students retrieve information in Nigerian university law libraries, investigate the library information resources available to law students in Nigerian university law libraries, examine how law students utilise information resources in university law libraries, specifically ICT resources, determine the challenges faced by law students in the use of law library electronic resources and other law sources in the process of information retrieval in Nigerian university law libraries, provide recommendations for improving law library systems in Nigerian universities and to develop a theoretical model that suits the information seeking behaviour of law students in Nigerian university law libraries. The research paradigm followed a positivism and interpretive perspective using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study adopted a survey research design. The study targeted all the law students in Nigerian universities. Out of the 30 universities offering law as a course of study in Nigeria, a total of 12 universities were chosen for the study namely: Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; Imo State University, Owerri; Kogi State University, Anyigba; Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Benin, Benin; University of Calabar, Calabar; University of Ibadan, Ibadan; University of Ilorin, Ilorin: and University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. From the 12 chosen universities, 1,534 law students were randomly selected; this represents the sample for the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire, an interview and observation methods. The findings revealed that the surveyed law students generally exhibited a positive attitude towards patronage of law libraries, and that printed information sources are the main information sources utilised by respondents in law libraries. Digital libraries found in the law libraries were found not to be optimally used. Reasons given were the unavailability and inaccessibility of computers and the lack of Internet connectivity. The majority of the respondents indicated that they possessed the ICT skills required to search for information using electronic information resources in the law libraries. The Internet facilities provided in the law library where only used by 33% of the respondents when it was necessary to find academic related information. An ability test showed that only 47% of the respondents tested had the Internet skills to effectively retrieve applicable information sources/databases on the Internet. It was revealed that access to ICT facilities in the law libraries was poor, and the existing electronic libraries and other sources like the Internet and law databases were underutilised by the surveyed law students for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of access to the electronic law libraries, lack of ICT resources, or the fact that the existing ICT sources were not intended for law students’ use. Observations showed that only three law libraries provided access to law databases out of the twelve law libraries. Other challenges identified concerning the use of the law libraries included: erratic power supply; Internet connectivity problems; slow downloading speed; non-subscription to law databases; lack of qualified staff to manage and maintain the electronic law libraries; inadequate amount of computers for student utilisation; unhelpful library staff; and inadequate funding to provide quality ICT resources in the universities’ law libraries. The study recommended that law students should be allowed access to all law library resources and be provided with current and relevant library sources, electronic sources and ICT equipment that will encourage them to frequent the law libraries and use its information resources. Additionally, the libraries need adequate support and enough funds to facilitate the purchase of current legal material; upgrade ICT equipment; subscribe to legal databases; upgrade Internet connectivity; and improve their power supply. The study also recommended that library sources (print and electronic) should be aggressively advertised to attract students’ attention and more library orientation and ICT training courses should be provided..
- ItemThe information needs and challenges of agricultural researchers and extension workers in Zimbabwe(University of Zululand, 2013) Mugwisi, Tinashe; Mostert, B.J.; Ocholla, D.N.Agriculture is the dominant sector in Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and providing an income to over 75% of the population. Agricultural research and extension is undertaken in both public and private sector institutions across the five agro-ecological regions of the country. The aim of this study was to investigate the information needs and challenges of agricultural researchers and extension workers in the public sector in Zimbabwe. The government is responsible for agriculture in Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development (MoAMID). The study focused on researchers falling under the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS) and extension workers under the Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX). The study utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods; a questionnaire was distributed to researchers and extension workers, and interviews were conducted with key informants and librarians. An observation schedule on the state of agricultural libraries in Zimbabwe was also used. The respondents were drawn from eight provinces and research institutes as defined in the target population. Mashonaland Central Province produced the highest number of respondents because the population for the province included ward and village extension workers in addition to the district and provincial extension officers and supervisors targeted in each province. Forty four (44) districts participated from the projected sixty (60), while sixteen (16) out of seventeen (17) research institutes responded, although there were variations in responses per institute. The findings of the study indicated that the respondents held qualifications ranging from certificates (for extension workers at ward level) to doctorates for senior researchers in their respective areas of work. The study also showed that the agricultural researchers were generally younger than extension workers, and on average the majority of both categories of respondents had less than 10 years working experience. The majority of the respondents also had less than five years working experience in their current positions. In terms of gender, there were more males than females in both categories of respondents. The study revealed that the information needs of the researchers and extension workers aligned with the major agricultural disciplines of crop science, animal science, agricultural engineering, although agricultural economics did not attract prominence. v The respondents were using various sources of information in fulfilling their information needs, ranging from libraries to internet sources (including databases and other electronic sources), consulting colleagues, workshops and seminars, and personal collections. The level of usage and preferences differed, but overall agricultural researchers showed a preference for electronic sources while extension workers preferred print sources. Departmental collections were especially prominent among the extension workers, and these were mentioned as their first point of call when they were in need of information. Library usage was low, and it was observed that the Ministry of Agriculture’s libraries were not adequately equipped to meet the information needs of the researchers and extension workers. The materials were dated, and the libraries had no budget for the acquisition of new resources. Internet access was limited to institutions with access to internet connections and requisite technologies like computers; the TEEAL database, for example, was only available on standalone access at the Central Library. The different available resources were considered to be important sources of agricultural information. The use of indigenous knowledge by both researchers and extension workers in agriculture was also evident in the study. The study revealed that agricultural research prioritisation was determined by the government, national needs, and the availability of funds in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including farmers. The research extension model that is used suggests a communication pattern where researchers reach the farmers through the extension system and also through direct contact with the farmers. The reverse – farmer to researcher - also shows communication in the opposite (upward) direction. Overall, the researchers and extension workers appear to play a pivotal role in disseminating agricultural information to the farmers. Various channels also appear to be used to communicate agricultural information, including the media, pamphlets and posters, and public gatherings like field days and agricultural shows. Lack of material in local languages was identified as a major challenge in the communication process, although some translation was being done. This challenge was exacerbated by the land reform programme, which has seen a massive increase in the number of people directly involved in farming. The Ministry of Agriculture was seen to lack a clear policy on the management of information generated by its departments, including research and extension. This was vi despite mention by the respondents that the information was adequately captured. The study showed that ICTs were used to generate information which was subsequently distributed as hard copies. The distribution of such material was hampered by lack of resources like printers and toners. ICTs such as the radio, television, the internet, databases, and telephones were also being used to disseminate agricultural information, although databases were hampered by the lack of computers. Mobile phones, although not readily available as office equipment, were highly utilised in the communication process. The study revealed that there is collaboration between agricultural researchers and extension workers and with other stakeholders at both local and international level in the areas of material production, research facilities, and training. Linkages were also evident with farmer organisations in the areas of funding, farm research, and materials production. The study concluded that funding was one of the main challenges facing research and extension in Zimbabwe, with donor funding having dried up in recent years. Although privatisation and charging for services have been considered as alternatives for income generation, they face criticism for discriminating against poor farmers. The study recommends that the Central Library should be empowered in terms of personnel and other resources in order to address the information needs of researchers and extension workers. It also recommends the strengthening of the delivery of research and extension services by capacitating research and extension institutions through adequate ICTs, funding and enhanced collaboration with relevant stakeholders among other issues.
- ItemProvision and utilisation of public library services in Nigeria(University of Zululand, 2017) Salman, Abdulsalam Abiodun; Mostert, B.J.; Mugwisi, T.This study set out to investigate the provision and use of public library services in Nigeria with a view to determining the satisfaction level of users with the services offered. Additionally the study wanted to develop a framework that will address the issues and challenges identified when providing public library services to the Nigerian population. Providing access to information through an institution such as a public library presupposes a well-governed and efficiently managed system. Lacking these, service delivery might be compromised, resulting in a population dissatisfied with the services delivered. The study is centred on the IFLA Public Library Service Guidelines, with the use of theoretical models such as the Traditional Public Administration Model (TPAM) and the New Public Management (NPM). An interpretivist approach to research was adopted involving mainly qualitative methods. A quantitative paradigm was also used as a supplementary method. The case study design methodology was used by conducting in-depth interviews with three permanent secretaries, six public library directors, and six heads of rural community libraries, cutting across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. An informal interview was held with the children using the public library services in order to gauge their opinion about the services provided in the children’s section of the library. A questionnaire was administered to public library users in order to understand their responses on awareness, accessibility, use and satisfaction with the services provided by public libraries. Observation was used for validation of the responses from the interviews and questionnaire. In all, fifteen interviews were conducted with the administrators/managers of public libraries in Nigeria. The reason for using multiple instruments (interview, observation and questionnaire) was for triangulation of the responses in order to identify areas of divergence and convergence during data analysis. The interview responses were thematically analysed using content analysis, while the data collected through a survey questionnaire were analysed using the statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) in order to arrive at summary and descriptive statistics. A test-retest reliability method using two methods was imperative; (1) expert opinion where a content validity index (CVI) was computed, and (2) Cronbach’s Alpha, that became more useful where continuous and non-dichotomous data were included in the analysis. It was therefore concluded that the instrument was internally consistent and reliable. Ethical considerations were also taken into account with informed consent forms, approval seeking, permission as well as confidentiality. vi The findings of this study showed that variables such as: relevant academic qualifications, years of experience, and designation of the administrators of public libraries affected the service delivery. The study also revealed that the pattern of administration of public libraries in Nigeria still conforms to the Traditional Public Administration Model (TPAM), which was criticised for its top-down and inefficient administrative approach. Very little community participation in the administration of the public libraries was identified, and it was established that there is still a huge dependency on the parent bodies for decision-making and funding. Additionally the study also found the following challenges as impediments to the expected service delivery: inadequate funding; insufficient staff; irregular electricity supply; outdated library materials; lack of functional library resources and facilities; and inappropriate public library legislation. Digital resources were found to be lacking in most of the libraries, and the physical infrastructure was found lacking, especially in the rural areas. Awareness of the services provided by the public libraries was found to be low, and it is mainly traditional services that are currently offered. This situation subsequently resulted in a low level of satisfaction with the use of the services. The study recommended that laws specific to public libraries should be promulgated in order to regulate the governance and administration of this public unit; more relevant and adequate services should be provided; alternative forms of funding should be explored in order to alleviate the dependence on governmental budgets; and training and retraining of public library staff should be actively explored with special emphasis on attaining IT skills.