Provision of library and information management higher education and training in Swaziland: a feasibility study
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Date
2011
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University of Zululand
Abstract
This study investigated the feasibility of providing Library and Information Management higher
education and training locally in Swaziland. It aimed to determine if it is possible and necessary for
Swaziland to be involved in the education and training of its own Library and Information
Management professionals within the country. The study was centered on two major concerns facing
the country with respect to Library and Information Management practice. These were the
dependence of the country on foreign schools to acquire higher education and training, and the
required funding to import such education and training into the country. Also highlighted were issues
of the relevance of the imported education and training and major concerns concerning funding for
higher education and training in other countries.
The study had seven objectives as follows:
• To investigate the state of Library and Information Management higher education and training
in Swaziland
• To determine if there is a need for the local higher education and training of candidates to the
profession and existing professionals in Swaziland
• To investigate whether or not there is a market for Library and Information Management
professionals to be educated and trained in Swaziland
• To investigate the availability of infrastructure that is required for providing higher education
and training in Library and Information Management in Swaziland
• To establish the challenges and opportunities of providing Library and Information
Management higher education and training in the country
• To determine the feasibility of providing Library and Information Management higher
education and training in Swaziland with respect to cost, relevance and human resources
• To determine the role of major stakeholders, such as the government and the Library and
Information Professional Association, in providing local higher education and training in
Library and Information Management
The study targeted five population groups as follows:
• Prospective entrants to the Library and Information Management profession
• Existing and practicing Library and Information Management employees
• Job advertisements for Library and Information Management personnel
• Existing and potential employers of Library and Information Management employees
• Training institutions likely to host Library and Information Management higher education and
training
In this study, both qualitative and quantitative data was obtained using survey questionnaires,
interviews, content analysis, and observation. Questionnaires gathered data from prospective entrants
to the profession of Library and Information Management and existing employees in the profession.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with current and potential employers in the government
and major Library and Information Management service organizations. Content analysis of newspaper
advertisements for the job market in Library and Information Management was performed on two
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local dailies spanning a period of four years (2005 - 2008). Observation was conducted in two higher
education institutions to check whether or not they were capable of hosting Library and Information
Management education.
Prospective entrants, employees, employers and the training institutions highly favoured higher
education in Library and Information Management within the country. 155 (64 %) of the prospective
entrants expressed their willingness to join the profession of Library and Information Management
and pursue higher education, and this could increase to 196 (81 %) with effective marketing
campaigns that would woe the 41 (17 %) who were undecided / flexible prospective entrants. Many
employees also expressed their desire for local higher education in Library and Information
Management. The employees – most with foreign-acquired qualifications – desired to further their
higher education and training in the local environment. Employers also continuously emphasized the
feasibility of hosting higher education in Library and Information Management in Swaziland. The
employers suggested that Swaziland must first introduce diploma programs before proceeding to
degree levels.
The government as a stakeholder ensured its financial support in sponsoring the pursuit of local higher
education in Library and Information Management by local candidates. Both of the visited higher
education institutions were suitable in terms of infrastructure. The University of Swaziland displayed
more infrastructure and resources and is suitable for both graduate and postgraduate programs.
Mananga’s infrastructure and resources could host a diploma and certificate program in Library and
Information Management.
Content analysis was performed on 98 newspaper advertisements obtained from 2084 papers. The
percentage of the obtained advertisements against the total number of papers scanned was low at 9 %.
This would suggest low feasibility, but only if the expectation is that job advertisements for a
profession would run every day in a local newspaper. Employers in Library and Information
Management, however, insisted on the availability of jobs in the local market and highlighted several
positive indicators of a growing market in this profession.
It was recommended that in hosting programs, the duplication of hosting institutions should be
avoided for a small country like Swaziland, and stakeholder participation and involvement should be
maintained for the continued success of the education programs. Relevance should also be fairly
addressed and balanced for the local, regional and international applicability of locally acquired
qualifications. Tracer studies on the usefulness of the educational programs against changing needs of
the market would be necessary, and within the first five years, assessments should be conducted in
order to positively influence the programs.
Description
Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the Masters Degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Zululand in the Department of Library and Information Science, South Africa, 2011.
Keywords
Library and Information Management -- education and training -- Swaziland