Browsing by Author "Garaba, Francis."

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Availability and utilisation of information resources by academic librarians for job performance enhancement in selected university libraries in North-Central Nigeria.
(2020) Kutu, Jacob Oloruntoba.; Garaba, Francis.
The study examined availability and utilisation of information resources by academic librarians for job performance enhancement in selected university libraries in North-Central Nigeria. Five research questions and four hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Task-Technology Fit were the theoretical frameworks underpinning the study. Research questions were matched to the theories while post-positivism research paradigm with survey research design was employed. The extant literature reviewed showed that job performance of academic librarians in African university libraries, particularly Nigerian university libraries was low, when compared with that of their counterparts from the developed parts of the world. The literature also revealed that little or no attention has been paid to examine the importance of information resources use in achieving academic librarians' job performance. The study used explanatory design as a choice of mixed method research. Both qualitative and quantitative data were gathered from the academic librarians from seven selected universities in the north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The data arising from the study were analysed with the aid of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 24.0). For the research questions, descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation) were employed to describe the variables and their occurrences among the respondents. Inferential statistics were used to test the hypotheses. The qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The results of the evaluation contributed immensely to enhancing the researcher’s confidence in the reliability of the instruments and the data emanating from such procedures. The ethical aspect of this study was achieved by adhering to the ethical protocol of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was computed using Cronbach’s alpha (α) through a pre-test reliability method. A Cronbach’s alpha (α) value of r = 0.876 was obtained. The total enumeration technique was thereafter used to select academic librarians in the seven selected federal universities in the north-central region of Nigeria. One hundred and twenty-eight (128) copies of a questionnaire were administered across the seven university libraries. Out of this total, 103 copies were duly completed and returned for quantitative analysis, giving a response rate of 81%. However, a response rate of 100% was achieved for the qualitative data. In addition, the census method was used, in line with Israel (1992). Copies of the survey questionnaire were used mainly to collect quantitative data from the academic librarians, while interviews were used to collect qualitative data from university librarians (heads of library). The findings indicated that 90% of the respondents noted that there is high availability of information resources for their job performance. A relationship between level of information resources utilisation and academic librarians job performance was established in the selected university libraries at (β= 0.591; p<0.05). The hypotheses tested revealed that job performance was significantly related to information accessibility and information utilisation. Though, information availability was found to be positively related to job performance, the relationship was not statistically significant (β= 0.081; p>0.05). Theoretically, the study contributed to validating Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Task-Technology Fit. The need for university libraries to sustain awareness among library staff on the importance of engaging in the use of cataloguing services for effective job performance, maintenance of acquisition policy on selection of print and non-print information resources, provision of regular electricity supply, improved Internet connectivity, attendance of periodic ICT-based training and improved library budgetary allocation were recommended as strategies for effective job performance among the academic librarians in the selected university libraries in North-central, Nigeria.
Faith-based collections at African Enterprise: a case study of the Michael Cassidy collection.
(2023) Nawe, Takatso Beverly.; Garaba, Francis.
This study investigated the management of African Enterprise's (AE) faith-based collections and Michael Cassidy's (MC) personal papers. It explored the scarcity of literature on faith-based organisations as well as looked into challenges experienced by AE in managing and preserving its collections. It tackled issues of privacy, copyright, and ethical issues in private papers. The collection of data was conducted through semi-structured interviews and was analysed inductively. Moreover, this study revealed that the AE building is not suitable for the preservation of archival materials. The National Archives et al (2010) recommended then that repositories of faith-based collections should ensure that personal papers survive from other religious traditions where individuals do keep material of a personal nature without there being any obvious long-term homes for them. It is therefore incumbent as noted by Choi and Nilson (2019), that archivists and religious leaders should develop strategies on how to preserve these hidden and endangered materials and make them accessible when needed. As AE does not have standard systems in place to effectively manage archival collections, it therefore found AE to not have a system guarding the privacy, legal, and ethical matters that affect access to and use of Cassidy's personal papers. There are no resources in existence to guide the identification of sensitive materials. It also revealed his wish to have his private papers to be housed at AE. In addition, this study then made recommendations for a purpose-built archive building and the development of policies. It also advocated for further research on faith-based collections to contribute to scholarship.
A framework for digital archiving at selected public universities in Kenya.
(2022) Erima, Juliet Awinja.; Garaba, Francis.
Archival records are knowledge assets that preserve the overall historical scholarship, memory and identity of organisations and institutions of higher learning. The rapid transformations witnessed on the digital landscape today have led to the increased generation of digital records, prompting the growing interest by universities to adopt sustainable digital archiving implementations to ensure the continued access of archives. This research investigated digital archives management practices in selected public universities in Kenya. The objective of the study was to develop a digital archiving framework for the archival repositories at the institutions. To achieve this objective, the study sought to answer five research questions which were: what is the state of digital archiving readiness of public universities in Kenya? How are digital archives identified and administered in Kenyan public universities? Which legal and regulatory frameworks govern digital archives management in Kenyan public universities? Which risk factors are digital archives exposed to in these universities? What possible solutions can be adopted to mitigate the identified risks and support sustainable digital archiving implementations in Kenyan public universities? The study subscribed to the pragmatic school of thought which formed the basis for adopting a mixed methods approach that prompted the use of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with a qualitative priority. The study was underpinned by the records continuum (RC) model, Open Archival Information System (OAIS) Reference model and the Archives and Records Management Association (ARMA) Records Management Maturity model which were triangulated to coin a conceptual framework for the study. The study adopted a multiple-case (embedded) design using cross-sectional survey. Six universities were purposively selected from 23 fully accredited public universities in Kenya namely: the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Moi, Kenyatta, Maseno and Egerton Universities. Purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 205 respondents comprising of deputy vice-chancellors, finance officers, legal officers, ICT directors, archivists, records managers, records officers, ICT staff and administrative staff. Questionnaires were administered to 169 respondents; 36 participants were targeted for interviews, and document review was used to confirm the data. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented using inferential and descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was analysed thematically using NVivo and presented using charts, graphs and tables as applicable. The key findings suggested that public universities in Kenya have not attained the desired optimal state of readiness for digital archiving. This was evidenced by the absence of functional archival repositories in five of the universities, insufficient harnessing of the available ICTs for d-archiving, inadequate skilled and competent staff, low prioritization for the education and training of recordkeeping staff and absence of dedicated budgets for records and archives management functions in the institutions. Furthermore, there were no formal processes guiding the lifecycle management of digital records and the generated metadata. The situation was exacerbated by weak and/or non-existent legal and regulatory frameworks for recordkeeping at national and institutional levels. Subsequently, digital records were exposed to risks at various stages of their lifecycle which included records technology risks, legal and regulatory risks, administrative risks and records control risks. The risks further occasioned a cocktail of challenges that called for urgent interventions. The overall conclusion of the study was that even though the institutions have instigated various approaches and strategies to mitigate the identified risks, a lot needed to be done to improve the state of digital archives management in the universities. Taking into consideration the study findings, this research recommends a framework for digital archiving that brings into perspective a collaborative approach, whose core focus is to enhance d-archiving practices in archival repositories of collaborating institutions.
Information and communication technology skills on knowledge sharing among librarians in federal university libraries in South-West, Nigeria.
(2019) Quadri, Ganiyu Oluwaseyi.; Garaba, Francis.
Abstract available in PDF.
An investigation into the management of the records and archives of former liberation movements in east and southern Africa held by national and private archival institutions.
(2010) Garaba, Francis.; Stilwell, Christine.
The struggle to liberate the continent of Africa from colonialism during the second half of the twentieth century represented an important epoch and as such this history needs to be documented accurately in whatever form for the benefit of posterity. Liberation struggle archives are of differing types and status, which reflects the diverse nature of the struggle itself. R ecords on the liberat ion struggles in Africa were created from within and outside Africa to document this historic ep och from the 1950s to the 1990s. These records have to be made available to the public for research, scholarship and general interest as they are a treasured na tional asset. In view of the above, it is the mandate of archivists to provide a means f or future generations to access historical sources . The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether liberat ion struggle archives are being offered the continuum of c are throughout their lifecycle in order to make such access possible . Considering that few records were created during the struggle for emancipation notwithstanding their neglect, it is therefore incumbent upon archivists to pres erve the legacy of the libe ration struggle that is contained in those few records that were created. The study used both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. The study used methodological triangulation techniques in order to capture the phenomenon under study in detail. The study’s’ population were the twenty three archival institutions within east and southern Africa, both public and private that is, which generated a response rate of 39%. Due to the fact that the study population was geographically di spersed, the study employed self - administered questionnaires for data gathering . U nstructured interviews and observations were also used in a limited manner . The researcher administ ered an interview schedule to h e a ds of archival institutions within the eas t and s outhern African region. To complement the iii interviewing, an observation schedule was also used to record phenomena at selected archival institutions. T he data collected using qualitative techniques was content analyzed whilst SPSS was used for quanti tative data. The study unearthed some interesting developments. Liberation struggle archives had been identified and the requisite documentation put in place. T h is was evidenced by the restitution of archives which was an ongoing process albeit a problemat ic one. This process gives the overall picture that the liberation struggle was a global event as records are scattered in different parts of the world. The records so created are of varied nature as the media used to capture the record exists in a variety of forms with photographs predominant. The study also discovered that the arrangement of records was being done by qualified personnel, both archivists and manuscript librarians. In their efforts to promote access, most archival institutions employed a co mbination of finding aids with inventories and summary lists mostly used . Furthermore, t he existence of mechanisms, policies and procedures facilitates archival management practices. The present research established that all archival institutions had missi on statements and that th ese explicitly spelt out the mandate of the organizations . F or some institutions, these existed in written format. Formal p olices were generally in existence but were calibrated at various levels depending on an institution’s colle ction priorities. In this instance, the policy pertaining to digitization of liberation struggle archives was held in high regard and this explains why the majority of archival institutions preferred electronic media for duplicate copies . This preference p oints to the increasingly pervasive influence of digital technology. Archival institutions were liberal in their publication requirements though users had to acknowledge the institution as the source. The major challenge in the management of liberation str uggle records was the processing of backlog s . In addition, the study sought to establish whether archival institutions were providing resources in order to promote a n environment conducive to iv prolong ing the useable life of liberation struggle archives. The infrastructure in terms of knowledgeable and skilled personnel was in existence as the need for an academic background from which archival skills could be developed was given priority. The expertise in preservation management was mostly invested i n disast er planning and recovery, holdings maintenance and preservation planning . The research also established that the majority of archival institutions had a visitors ’ register in place al though its administration lacked consistency. The majority of archival in stitutions had air conditioning though maintenance records were non - existent. It was also noted that fumigation was prevalent and that restorative work was being done by the majority of institutions with the traditional technique s being the most popular. Equally important was the need to establish the preservation needs of the surveyed archival institutions. The study reve ale d that digitization was the most wid ely used preservation strategy and the majority of archival institutions had purpose - built storag e. Fire was considered the biggest threat to archival collections and the disaster plan mostly covered records, the physical building and the evacuation of people. Fire detection systems were in place and archival institutions were making use of their resp ective local fire departments to raise fire precautionary awareness and readiness. Security measures were generally in place though the use of Close Circuit Television ( CCTV ) , cameras and alarm systems was not pronounced. Furthermore, the study identified that information communication technologies had a transformative influence on the management of liberation struggle archives. The majority of the institutions were digitizing their collections though there was no written policy for managing these digital records. It was also established that most archival institutions were not migrating their records. Technological obsolescence and lack of resources were considered by most institutions as constituting the major threats to the survival of digital records an d this could be the reason why donor assistance v was sought as evidenced by the state of the art equipment on digitization infrastructure observed in some institutions visited . Equally significant was the revelation that inherent semantic ambiguities existe d in the legislative apparatus of the majority of archival institutions which partly explains why there was much passivity when it came to managing private records. The study further established that the management of private records was not satisfactory a nd areas noted for concern pertained to the arrangement, storage and custody, finding aids and access relating to these records . Finally, the study put forward a number of recommendations that had to be considered in an attempt to help archival institutio ns professionally manage liberation struggle archives , and two are cited here simply because they encapsulat e others . Firstly, the legislative apparatus had to be modernized in order for liberation struggle archives to be taken care of at national and not organizational level as is presently the case. The implication is that the laws that govern the national archives of countries within ESARBICA are wholly inadequate when it comes to the management of the private record. Lastly, the records continuum model formed the theoretical foundation of the study not only because of its holist ic approach, pragmatism and the fact that it is technologically driven but because it dovetailed with the records keeping issues which the study investigated .
Marketing to enhance the use of information resources and quality of services in medical libraries of public universities in North-West Nigeria.
(2022) Abule, Mudassir Abubakar.; Garaba, Francis.
Abstract available in PDF.
The microfilm of the new millennium: the digitization of the liberation struggle archives heritage in east and southern Africa
(University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2011-06) Garaba, Francis.; Ngulube, Patrick.; Stilwell, Christine.
New information and communication technologies have greatly affected archival institutions. It is therefore not surprising that the world of archival management has presently been confronted with many challenges as new technologies transform the archival landscape. Digital technologies are challenging custodians' abilities to preserve our archival heritage. This article provides an overview of digitization initiatives drawing, in the main, on a survey carried out in archival institutions within the east and southern African region. Modern technology has had a profound impact on how information is stored and accessed. A study carried out between 2006 and 2009 in heritage institutions, both private and public, with liberation struggle archives, within the Sub-Saharan region, revealed that digitization was the most widely used preservation strategy in the surveyed archival institutions. Resources permitting, archival institutions should adopt digitization for their liberation struggle heritage as a reformatting strategy in order to counter the problem posed by deteriorating media. The methodologies employed for data gathering included a survey, observation and structured interviews. This article provides the reader with the findings of the research and the opinions of the researchers. However, this paper does not contend or claim to be exhaustive of all issues pertaining to digitization
Provision of public library services to meet the information needs of rural dwellers in the North-Western zone of Nigeria.
(2019) Mohammed, Badamasi Babangida.; Garaba, Francis.
The study examined the provision of public library services to meet the information needs of rural dwellers in the North-Western zone of Nigeria. The following research questions were addressed: What are the information needs of the rural dwellers in the North-Western zone of Nigeria? What skills do rural dwellers effectively use to identify, access and use information from public libraries? What information sources and services are used by rural dwellers to seek and satisfy their information needs from the library? What channels are used by the public libraries to disseminate information to the rural dwellers? What challenges are faced by the rural dwellers in seeking and using information from public libraries? The study was underpinned by Wilson’s 1981 model of information behaviour and Aina’s 2006 model of library-extension service linkage. Pragmatic research paradigm and mixed methods research were employed. A sample of 427 was drawn from the library users, heads of branch libraries and directors of the state library boards. Interviews, observation and questionnaires were used to collect data. The qualitative data was analyzed using different types of content analysis one of which was thematic. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS computer software. The findings revealed that the information needs of the rural dwellers revolved around agriculture, health, education, economy, government policies, rural development, culture and recreation. Among the major skills used by rural dwellers to identify, access and use information was visiting the libraries to use the information sources available. The findings also showed that the rural dwellers as well used other sources to identify access and use information beside those of the libraries. These included contacting friends, neighbours, relatives, and other people during market days, town criers, extension workers, gatekeepers, village heads, religious leaders, oral traditional healers as well as contacts through cell phones. Among the formal sources used by rural dwellers were receiving information on radio and television, visiting viewing centers and health centers/dispensaries as well as receiving information from schools/adult centers.The dominant channels/sources used in disseminating information to rural dwellers were mainly printed materials, posters and fliers, as well as other audio/visual facilities. The major challenges faced by rural dwellers in seeking information from public libraries were the centralization of the library services at the local government headquarters, absence of library services and Community Information Resource Centers in the rural communities. The study recommends that the libraries should be adequately funded to provide all the needed library and resources, facilities and services. There should be a framework for policy review regarding the provision of the library services in rural areas. Other challenges identified included language barrier, lack of qualified library personnel and lack of basic infrastructural facilities in rural communities, as well as economic constraints among rural dwellers. The study also recommends a new approach that can be used to provide effective public library services to meet the information needs of the rural dwellers.
Readiness for knowledge management implementation : the case of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Public Works in Pietermaritzburg.
(2018) Nenungwi, Fulufhelo.; Garaba, Francis.
A knowledge management (KM) readiness assessment is essential before implementing a KM initiative within an organization. The KwaZulu–Natal Department of Public Works (KZN DPW) Head Office (HO) in Pietermaritzburg was chosen as the case study. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which the KZN DPW demonstrates readiness to implement KM through the assessment of KM enablers present within its components. This study’s objectives were to investigate if there is awareness of KM within the Department; determine whether the Departmental culture supports KM practices; examine the Departmental structure influence towards KM implementation; assess the Departmental strategic plan towards the promotion of KM implementation; and explore the communication tools and human resources available for effective KM within the Department. The study contributed to the need to implement KM initiative across governmental departments, both at provincial and at national level. Additionally, the study also contributed to the body of knowledge and literature on KM, especially in the context of KwaZulu-Natal. The socialization, externalization, combination and internalization (SECI) model underpinned the study to conceptualize the influence of the dynamic process of knowledge conversion to organizational efficiency towards service delivery. The mixed method approach was used, where both the qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted, with latter predominant. The targeted population consisted of 81 respondents from KZN DPW HO with particular interest on four sections namely: strategic management; human resources; information technology; and monitoring and evaluation. Quantitative data was collected from seventy-seven respondents, which consisted of employees from junior to deputy director level; qualitative data was collected from four Directors of each section. A census of the study population was taken; data for both approaches was collected simultaneously. For qualitative approach, structured interviews were conducted, consisting of standardized, open-ended questions; and for quantitative approach, survey questionnaires consisting of closed questions were distributed. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) and qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis. The analysis of quantitative and qualitative data were done separately. The findings of the study revealed that the KZN DPW is practising KM informally and there is high level of awareness for KM. The preservation and sharing of knowledge through computer files or folders was identified as one of the practices commonly used to manage knowledge within the Department. It was unclear whether the Departmental culture will be favourable towards the implementation of KM initiative since there was lack of common perspective regarding this matter. The findings also showed that the KZN DPW’ structure is hierarchical in nature, which will be problematic for the success of the KM initiative if implemented as KM requires a less rigid structure. The Department’s strategic plan does promote the management of knowledge as it encourages employees to create and preserve knowledge for better service delivery; however, there is a deficiency in terms of ensuring that a formal initiative to achieve this is implemented. The findings also revealed that there are basic communication tools available within the Department though the ICTs required for an effective KM initiative still need to be acquired. It was also revealed that a KM unit as well as the Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) does not exist within the KZN DPW, which impacts negatively on the success of KM initiative due to the absence of personnel or unit dedicated to oversee its progress when implemented. This study therefore concluded that the KZN DPW holds certain features required for an effective KM and is ready to implement a KM initiative. However, as some of the key issues such as KM enablers are not yet conducive towards the success of the initiative, the Department will need to improve them further before the formal implementation of KM. Recommendations to help the KZN DPW to be effectively ready to implement KM initiative included increasing awareness of KM across the entire Department; developing further all KM enablers and establishing a KM directorate managed by a CKO. Furthermore, incorporating the formal implementation of a KM initiative in the Department’s strategic plan and in the employees’ personal development plan (PDP), conducting exit interviews when employees leave the Department and review these interviews regularly, implementing formally a KM initiative was also recommended. Suggested areas of research included conducting the same study with other KZN provincial departments and private organizations to determine their readiness to implement KM and to compare findings. A knowledge audit within KZN DPW before implementing KM initiative was suggested as another area of study as well as a further study to determine the effectiveness of the initiative after being implemented.
Recordkeeping for good governance in Tanzanian public universities.
(2023) Kavishe, George Firmin.; Garaba, Francis.
Recordkeeping is a key feature of any institution's corporate governance and is critical to its transparency and accountability. Public universities cannot operate without records because they provide the foundation for sound decision-making. Without records, it would be impossible to hold public universities accountable. Records in an institution help identify what has been done and how it was done. In other words, records serve as tools for creating trust through time and across societies. Therefore, an organization's lack of sound recordkeeping practices hinders good governance. Although recordkeeping is crucial, it is becoming a challenge in enhancing good governance in universities. The prevalence of poor recordkeeping practices in African universities raises doubts about how top management and administrators have been making informed decisions. There is a need to create awareness of the importance of recordkeeping in universities. University records should be properly maintained and secured. Unfortunately, this has not been the case in most African academic institutions, including Tanzania. Therefore, this study investigated the role of recordkeeping in promoting good governance in Tanzanian public universities. The overall objective of this study was to investigate recordkeeping for good governance in Tanzanian public universities. To achieve this objective, the present study sought to answer the following research questions: What systems and processes are used in recordkeeping in Tanzanian public universities? What recordkeeping skills and training do staff need in Tanzanian public universities? What is the role of records legislation in recordkeeping in Tanzanian public universities? What is the level of security and confidentiality control in recordkeeping in Tanzanian public universities? What interventions required to be put in place in order to address recordkeeping in Tanzania public universities? The population of this study was drawn from eight (8) Tanzanian public universities, namely Ardhi University, Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Moshi Cooperative University, Mzumbe University, Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology, the Open University of Tanzania, Sokoine University of Agriculture and University of Dar es Salaam. Purposive sampling was used to select these eight public universities. The study targeted a population of 105. Given that the population of this study is considered small, the study used a census sampling technique where all members of the population were included in the study. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data. Questionnaires were administered to 89 records officers. To get in-depth information, a purposive sampling method was employed thereafter to select respondents from the study population for them to be interviewed. Sixteen senior officials were targeted for interviews. The records continuum model and the Information Governance Reference Model underpinned the study. A pragmatic paradigm using Mixed Methods Research with a bias towards a quantitative dominant was adopted, complemented by a qualitative follow-up. The questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data, while the interview schedule was used to collect qualitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23, while qualitative data was analyzed using NVivo software version 11. The findings revealed that the level of digital recordkeeping in the surveyed public universities was below standard. The issue of funding for recordkeeping featured prominently; the budget allocated for recordkeeping activities was limited. This limited budget was prohibitive in managing records in all the universities. Recordkeeping activities such as records appraisal, storage, and access were found to be insufficient in all the universities. The study established that the university's recordkeeping laws still needed to be fully implemented. The present study also found that a shortage of recordkeeping space/storage was one of the challenges facing universities. The study findings revealed that universities faced numerous risk exposures concerning recordkeeping. They included pest infection, rodents, computer system failure, fire, unauthorized intrusion, water damage and theft. The study recommends that Tanzanian public universities follow the proposed framework steps when managing their records from creation. The proposed framework addresses the challenges elaborated in this study and, if appropriately implemented, will help Tanzanian public universities perform recordkeeping effectively.