The role and value of special library services in the information age: a case study of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
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Date
2022
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Abstract
With technological advancements and the rise of the information age, this study
investigated the role of special library services in the information age specifically in the
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). While observations reveal that other
special libraries have closed or down-sized, the SABC libraries have been in existence
since 1961 and continue to function. For this reason, the aim of the study was: 1) To
ascertain the value and role of the special library service in the information age at the
SABC; 2) To determine the extent to which the SABC libraries have been influenced
by ICTs; and 3) To draw on possible best practices and trends that can be
implemented by the SABC libraries. The study’s population was the SABC staff in the
hub cities of South Africa, namely, Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Mixed
methods approach was employed for the study. Two different web-based
questionnaires targeted the SABC library staff and library users. Interviews were
conducted with selected managers. The study was underpinned using the
Organization Theory (Systems Approach), Technology Acceptance Model, The
Embedded Librarianship, Librarian/Library 2.0, Blended Librarian models. Microsoft
Excel was utilized for data analysis and to extract quantitative results. Triangulation
was done within each case and across populations holistically to provide in-depth and
rich data. The study was rooted in the interpretivist and pragmatism paradigms.
Qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis together with hermeneutic
phenomenology methods were employed for qualitative responses. Electronic
analysis using Microsoft Excel was used as the nature of the case study allowed the
researcher to engage thoroughly with the findings for better reporting. The study
revealed a general satisfaction with the SABC library services with digitization being a
necessity for the library service. A refreshing practice trending was that of
benchmarking LIS graduates for employment in the special library services.
Description
Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.