E Resources use via the internet improvement is a must: a case of special libraries in Tanzania

Transcription

1 E Resources use via the internet improvement is a must: a case of special libraries in Tanzania Presenter: Hubert Shija, Librarian, Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 05/05/2009

2 Introduction Internet has improved library services and products dramatically Libraries now offer products and services like electronic journals and books Now three types of libraries exist Traditional Hybrid Online/ digital/ virtual Use of electronic journals in Tanzania is still low

3 Methods of Study Secondary survey data/ document survey Experience Focus is on special libraries (research and academic ones users and staff) and electronic journals

4 Contextual Framework Patrons, Staff, Libraries Causes Skills, Connectivity, Awareness, License uniformity, Single sign on, Finance. Use Low/ high Products E Journals via internet Source: Adopted and modified from Shija, 2002

5 Contextual Framework Cont d Communications Model AIDA = Attention/ Awareness Interest Desire Action Source: Adapted from Smith, 1999

6 Main Causes of Low Use Internet skills Internet and computer skills are required to use e journals Most library users and some staff possess low skills or not at all Training is not conducted adequately and regularly Lack of awareness Some library staff and patrons do not have information on electronic resources for fee and for free e.g. AGORA, DfID funded communication programmes like PERI, GDNet. Library staff do not market them effectively and constantly based on models like AIDA Customers are not given an opportunity to try use them

7 Main Causes of Low Use Cont d Poor infrastructure and connectivity Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are few Policy IXP not fully utilized Telephone lines are patchy: fibre optic owned by companies like TRL, TANESCO ICT national backbone is built using those owned by different companies Most libraries do not have enough hardware like computers Third Generation (3G) mobile internet is less adopted and expensive Supporting infrastructure Bandwidth is low and expensive Unreliable electricity like frequent power cuts

8 Main Causes of Low Use - Cont d Inadequate Financial Resources Lack of sufficient funds to buy hardware like computers Failure to subscribe to e journals and renew them consecutively Purchasing of low bandwidth which is costly as well e.g. USD 5.85 per hour (WBCSD, 2000?); USD 1 for 7.63 kbps (ATICS, 2006); USD 186 per month for every 100 kbit/s Subsidies for PERI e- journal access and use might be reduced Insufficient funds for regular trainings Lack of funds to purchase standby generators and/ or power inventers

9 Main Causes of Low Use - Cont d Single Sign on/ One Stop shop Different e journal publishers; different access controls like Username and password IP address Embedded and/ or referring URL login Many usernames, passwords and browsers confuse users Single Sign On systems (one browser, one username, and one password to access many resources) like Athens, ExLibris SFX not highly employed Using IP address, only static one is required e.g. oxford

10 Main Causes of Low Use - Cont d License Uniformity Not all publishers/ databases offer back files e.g. Wile Blackwell offer them at special rate Other publishers/ databases restrict e journals usage country wise e.g. AGORA, some of PERI journals They use non uniform access controls

11 Minor Causes Not all these apply to researchers Confidence: some users are not confident enough to try using these resources Attitude: some users have negative attitude towards computers and internet Literacy: little knowledge of reading can bar users from using the resources, this is not an issue to users researchers Language: this also cannot apply in this context

12 Conclusion Main causes are Skills Connectivity Awareness National and International stakeholders have an obligation to alleviate this problem

13 Recommendations Computer and Internet skills Training Endless promotion of this service Purchase of hardware like computers Purchase of enough bandwidth Publishers to offer a discount for consecutive renewals

14 Recommendations Cont d Based on MDG 8, publishers have to give a uniform license Use of modern technologies for single sign on Use of stand by Generators and power inventers ISPs should use IXP and/ or the Fibre Optic ICT National Backbone More competition in Internet Service Provision to reduce cost Use of embedded URL to reduce use of username and password

15 End Thanks for listening

16 Discussion Q & A session

17 Bibliography AGORA (2000s). An initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with: worlds leading agricultural publishers, Cornel university, Mann library; Rockefeller foundation; World Health Organization; Department for International Development; United States Agency for International Development. Retrieved November 28, 2008, from AGORA Ashcroft L. & Langdon, C. (1999, August 27). Electronic journals and university library collections. Collection building, 18 (3), Retrieved from Emeraldinsight Database Bednarek Michalska, B. (2002). Creating a job description for an electronic resources librarian. Library Management, 23 (8/9), DOI / Cornford, J. (2001, August 27). A costing model for a hybrid library shell. Library Management, 22 (1/2), Retrieved from Emeraldinsight Database

18 Bibliography Cont d Kaare, S. M. (2006). Development of information and communication technology in the globalized economy: the case of Tanzania. In L. A. Masambichaka, N. E. Mwamba & O. J. Mashindano (Eds.) Globalization and challenges for development in Tanzania (pp ). Dar es Salaam: Dar es Salaam University Press Kenny, C. (2006). The internet and economic growth in LDCs: A case of managing expectations? In A. P. D Costa (Ed.), The new economy in development: ICT challenges and opportunities (67-88). New York: Palgrave Macmillan Lowe, L. (2002). Modelling demand in order to meet it: can the information and knowledge management systems of the urban poor be understood and strengthened? In C. Gandelsonas (Ed.) Communicating for development: experience from urban environment (pp. ). London: ITDG Publishing Machira, P. (2008, July 16). Undersea cable work on schedule. The Citizen, p. 14 Madamombe, I. (2007). New cable to connect Eastern Africa: NEPAD pushes for cheaper, faster telecommunications. Africa Renewal (Formerly Africa Recovery ), 21 (3), 17, 18 Matheson, A. (2001, August 27). Research note: Research services for distant learners: the OLADE project. Online Information Review, 25 (5), Retrieved from Emeraldinsight Database

19 Bibliography Cont d Dickinson, D. (2002). Tanzanian women get online bug. Retrieved September 5, 2008, from BBC News, Technology Dutta, S & Mia, I. (Eds.). (2007). the Global information technology report : Connecting to the networked economy. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Economist Intelligence Unit (2007). Tanzania country profile. London: Author Gumisai, M. (2000). Harnessing the Internet for development: African countries seek to widen access, produce content. Africa Renewal, 20 (2), INASP (2005). PERI review INASP infobrief 4. Retrieved Nov. 26, 2008, from

20 Bibliography Cont d Mendes, S., Tuijnman, A., & Young, N. (2003). Training for ICT development in Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Stockholm: SIDA Neuman, W. L. (2006). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (6th ed.). New York: Pearson Education, Inc. Ondari Okemwa, E. (2000, August 27). Training needs of practicing professional librarians in the Kenyan public university libraries: A critical analysis. Library Management, 21 (5), Retrieved from Emeraldinsight Database

21 Bibliography Cont d United Nations (2003). Information and communication technology development indices. New York: Author United Nations (2008). United Nations e government survey 2008: From e government to connected governance. New York: Author United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2007). Information economy report : Science and technology for development: the paradigm of ICT. New York: UNCTAD Secretariat United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2008). WSIS Follow up Report New York: UNCTAD Secretariat The United Republic of Tanzania (2005). The economic survey Dar es Salaam: Author. The United Republic of Tanzania (2006). The economic survey Dar es Salaam: Author. The United Republic of Tanzania (2008). The economic survey Dar es Salaam: Author.

22 Bibliography Cont d Sebastian, C. (2008, June 4). Fibre optic links costly. The Citizen, p. 3 Senzige, J. P. & Sarukesi, K. (2004). An approach to ICT based school education in Tanzania. The African Journal of Finance and Management, 12 (2), Shibanda, G. G. & Musisi Edebe, I. (2000, August 27). Managing and developing the strategy for Africa s information in global computerisation. Library Management, 21 (5), Retrieved from Emeraldinsight Database Shija, H. (2002). Linkage between information generation and dissemination to users via electronic media: The case study of how users in Sikonge district get forestry information. Dar es Salaam: University of Dar es Salaam UNDP (2007). Develop a global partnership for development. Retrieved November 28, 2008, from

23 Bibliography Cont d WBCSD (2000?). Mobility for development: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Dar es Salaam: Author. World Bank (2008). World development indicators Washington, D. C.: Author. World Bank (2008). Africa development indicators 2008/ 09: Youth and employment in Africa: The potential, the problem, the promise. Washington, D. C.: Author Wells, D. (2007). What is a library OPAC? The Electronic Library, 25 (4), DOI /