Browsing by Author "Stilwell, Christine."

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Access to gender and development information by rural women in the Tanga region, Tanzania.
(1998) Kiondo, Elizabeth.; Stilwell, Christine.
Rural women play significant roles in both food and cash crop production, however, the majority of them lack access to productive resources, including information. To enhance the process of development and to ensure that rural women participate in and benefit from rural development processes, it is important that productive resources such as land, technology and information are made accessible to them. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which rural women access gender and development information. It therefore investigated how the rural information delivery system is organised and operates in order to gain an understanding of the factors which hamper the accessibility of information to the majority of rural women. This understanding will enable rural development planners and information professionals to design and implement information services which are accessible to all members of the rural community. In conducting this study in the Tanga region of Tanzania, a sample of 773 households was drawn from an estimated 155,863 households to acquire a sample of rural women. A structured interview protocol was used to collect data from the rural women. A total of 64 human information providers out of a total of 90 targeted to be included in the study, was interviewed. Data was also collected through document reviews and informal discussion with key informants at regional and district levels as well as through personal observations during field work. The findings of the study indicate that at least 40 percent of rural women are still functionally illiterate and at least 30 percent head rural households. Tt:1e majority of them still live in poverty with limited incomes. On the other hand the information providers are predominantly male, constituting a male/female ratio of 3: 1. The information needs of rural women are practical and strategic in nature. Information providers used are mainly friends and relatives, village leaders, health extension workers and hospitals and clinics. The communications used in information exchange processes are oral in nature with face to face communication being the main channel used. Formal sources of information such as printed and audio-visual sources are rarely used. Furthermore, this study has shown that socio-economic factors impact on levels of access and use of information providers. Information made accessible to women is mainly health information, followed by community affairs which is mainly about community problems discussed at village meetings. Very few women benefit from rural training programmes and information on development projects because these are limited to specific project areas. Information delivered is therefore not adequate to satisfy rural women's needs whereas information accessed is moderately relevant as far as their health information needs are concerned. The main barriers to rural women's access to information include: workload, attitudes of information providers, customs and traditions and non availability of other sources such as printed and audio-visual sources, as well as low income and relatively low education levels of women. This study has identified several weaknesses in the rural information delivery system which need to be addressed. It is therefore recommended that in order to make information readily accessible to the majority of women, there is a need (i) to formulate gender sensitive policies and institute mechanisms for implementation, which should include the training of information providers in gender issues in services-provision; (ii) to make available adequate financial resources to support rural information seryices; (iii) to use a variety of sources of information to cater for ; the heterogenous needs of users; (iv) to have a political will not only to address gender issues but also to sensitize entire rural communities to gender issues.
African identity in the making : the role of the centre for African literary studies as a special collection of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2016) Polak, Fiona Margaret.; Stilwell, Christine.; Underwood, Peter Graham.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
Libraries contain many collections but professional practice has long recognised the concept of ‘special collections’. The Centre for African Literary Studies (CALS) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) initially came into being to house the Bernth Lindfors Collection, the private collection of a retired professor of English from the University of Texas in Austin. Special collections can be hindered in their ability to fulfil their role as custodians of heritage and conveyors of knowledge owing to a number of factors, such as policy decisions and/or elements included in existing policies. The directors of such centres often have ambition but are handicapped in their ability to carry out their plans by various administrative challenges which can put the centres at risk. In terms of the research problem central to the study, this study explored exactly what the role of CALS as a UKZN special collection constitutes and in what way the Centre is able to fulfil its role in facilitating and enabling African Studies at UKZN and in the broader community. The study investigated these potential challenges, including factors which impede access, such as ‘hidden collections’. Challenges included financial constraints, staffing, collection development policies (including Africanisation), repatriation of collections, preservation strategies, and accessibility, including physical and space issues, and digitisation. The study employed methodological triangulation which included a literature search, documentary analysis, and survey research using questionnaires and interviews. The population constituted undergraduate and postgraduate English- and isiZulu-speaking students and researchers who have used CALS; present and ex-staff members; the original owners of the two largest CALS collections; the initial founders of CALS; as well as the current and ex-directors. The study ascertained that CALS was originally established as a separate centre on the Pietermaritzburg campus to “symbolically” make a statement, and as branding to attract postgraduate students in South Africa doing research in African literary studies to Pietermaritzburg. This would give the humanities in Pietermaritzburg “the edge in a highly competitive market”. The study established that CALS is underutilised by postgraduate students and researchers. The majority of usage is from isiZulu-speaking undergraduates, owing to the establishment of the isiZulu Literary Museum at CALS, which has proved successful in drawing isiZulu-speaking undergraduate students. The researcher was only able to identify a handful of national and international researchers which undermines the original motive for the establishment of CALS which is to facilitate and promote the study of African literature and thus enable UKZN in its endeavour to become “The Premier University of African Scholarship”. The most significant finding of the survey was the original noble vision of the founders to create a centre that boosts the humanities and African literature at UKZN and especially on the Pietermaritzburg campus, has been restricted by funding and staffing constraints. The Centre was established as an external funding centre that has proved unsustainable. This has had a negative impact on the endeavours of CALS’s directors who, despite great effort, have been significantly handicapped in their endeavours to manage CALS through lack of institutional support, funding and staff tenure.
Agricultural knowledge and information systems (AKISs) among small-scale farmers in Kirinyaga District, Kenya.
(2011) Munyua, Hilda Mantema.; Stilwell, Christine.
There has been growing interest, locally, nationally, and internationally in agricultural knowledge and information systems (AKISs) stemming from their important role in facilitating learning, innovation and the sharing and exchange of knowledge and information. Despite the fact that small-scale farmers and farmers‘ groups are among the key actors in an AKIS, little attention is devoted to their needs. This study aimed to understand the AKISs of small-scale farmers (male, female and the youth) in Kirinyaga district, Kenya. The study investigated small-scale farmers, and in particular farmers‘ groups as key actors in supporting agricultural development and linkages between actors, their information behaviour, sources of information and knowledge, linkages and flows of knowledge and information including the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The study also investigated the usage of these resources, barriers to accessing knowledge and information, and existing knowledge and information management practices. The study adopted multiple paradigms and perspectives but was mainly guided by the Social constructivist paradigm and the Soft systems perspective. The theoretical framework was constructed upon an integration of the Sense-making1 theory, Social cognitive theory, Social capital concept, Communities of practice (CoPs), Wilson‘s general model of information seeking behaviour, Meyer‘s information transfer model, Knowledge management theory and the Cynefin framework. The research design was a multiple methods approach that triangulated qualitative, quantitative Sense-Making, Participatory and Soft systems methodologies. Data was collected through interviews with individual farmers belonging or not belonging to a group; key informants; research, training and education institutions; civil society organisations (CSOs); and government departments using semi-structured interview guides unique to each category of informant. Focus group discussions were conducted with farmers‘ groups while questionnaires were sent to information providers. Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Knowledge Systems, participatory rural appraisal methods, unobtrusive observation of the activities of farmers and other actors in the community and secondary information sources were also used to collect data. The findings of the study showed that rich and deep data was collected through the multiple methods research design, and that no conflict arose from using multiple paradigms in a single multifaceted and multidisciplinary study where specific research questions were addressed. The Sense-Making methodology provided useful approaches to studying the information behaviour and decision making processes of small-scale farmers, and to investigate the feelings, emotions and dreams of farmers in Kirinyaga district. However, the experience of this study showed that using a multiple methods research design could result in a very large study. The findings show that small-scale farmers need information from diverse sources and on a wide range of topics along the production and marketing value chains, based on their enterprise(s), geographic location and the actors active on the ground. Male and female farmers expressed needs on similar topics but the needs were gender differentiated with variations in the priorities, types of information needed, the weight attached to each topic, and the information seeking behaviour. Most farmers and almost half the groups combined external information and local knowledge in their farming, and information and knowledge was shared orally along social and cultural lines. Most of the groups were legally constituted and had the status of farmers‘ groups; a few were cooperatives. Farmers‘ groups emerged as key actors in the AKIS of the district and provided platforms for learning, innovation, sharing and the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge among their members. The findings show that most groups did not share information with non-group members, which led to information asymmetries between farmers belonging or not belonging to a group. The findings of the study show variations in sources used by male only, female only, youth only and mixed groups. Male only groups relied mostly on private sector sources, while female only, youth only and mixed groups depended more on public extension services. The main sources of market information were local markets, followed by neighbours, other farmers and cooperatives and societies. Extension emerged as the most important source of advice, information and knowledge on farming in general, followed by the private sector and neighbours. Groups mainly obtained information on news, new technologies or farming methods from extension, media and private sector actors, while they obtained most answers to their farming questions from their groups, extension services, neighbours and other farmers. There were variations in the sources used by different types of groups for advice, information or knowledge in general, as well as in sources used by farmers belonging or not belonging to a group in different geographic divisions. There were more than 150 actors in the public, private and CSO sectors, and there were many AKISs in Kirinyaga district, which were location specific and depended on the enterprise(s) produced and the actors that were present on the ground. Most linkages were horizontal and were weak. Farmers‘ groups and social networks provided a unique linkage mechanism to other actors and access to services such as extension, markets and basic needs. This finding suggests the need to strengthen the capacity of farmers‘ groups and encourage farmers to join or form groups. There were variations in the importance, strength and quality of the relationships between actors in different divisions, locations and sub-locations, but the linkages with farmers were generally weak. The Kirinyaga stakeholders‘ forum and a few partnerships of actors facilitated vertical flow of information between actors but the linkages were equally weak. Farmers mainly used oral communication to access and share information and knowledge. While farmers belonging to a group generally used meetings, neighbours and radio, farmers not belonging to a group mostly used radio, neighbours and cellular phones. The findings indicate that farmers preferred to use radio, television and cellular phones for accessing agricultural information but the usage of modern ICTs was low and most of the users were male. Farmers encountered many barriers in accessing and sharing agricultural information and knowledge including insufficient sources in the community; lack of awareness of who the ―knowers‖ in the community were; limited availability of information providers; poor access to and quality of information on production, value addition and markets and prices; high cost of information services; inadequate information resources and few learning opportunities; personal, social and cultural barriers; communication barriers; and illiteracy. To address these barriers and constraints, farmers used diverse sources of external information and local knowledge for decision making, problem solving, innovation and for improving understanding. While most farmers obtained operational, technical and awareness information from major sources, there was little usage of ICT based information systems. There was no bibliographic control of agricultural information resources and there were very few resource centres in the community. Most local knowledge was tacit and was held in people‘s heads and therefore shared orally from elders to the younger generations and through CoPs in the groups. The study concludes that the AKISs in Kirinyaga district were complex, dynamic, and location specific, and although there were diverse and complementary actors, the information and knowledge within the AKIS was not sufficient to meet the needs of small-scale farmers. Public extension services emerged as the key source of information for small-scale farmers and private extension services such as those offered by horticultural exporting companies were a pillar of support for commercial farmers. There were insufficient numbers of information providers, which meant extension officers were not easily accessible. These findings suggest the need to formalise and strengthen linkages between actors, to improve access to agricultural knowledge and information, and to formulate policy and regulatory frameworks that are gender responsive. There is a need for policies that facilitate the collection, processing, storage and dissemination of external agricultural information and the capturing, documenting and sharing of local knowledge.
Alumni perceptions of a post graduate Information and Library Science Education programme at the University of Natal, South Africa.
(LiASA, 2004) Stilwell, Christine.
A survey of alumni perceptions of a post graduate programme in Information and Library Science, the B.Bibl. Honours, at the University of Natal, South Africa is described. Module content and appropriateness are reviewed in relation to demands of the workplace. Alumni views on delivery and assessment methods are interrogated as are requirements in terms of continuing education. Critical issues in ILS education are identified, for example, balancing a human-centred approach with Information and Communication Technology competencies in the networked age. Reference is made to Information Management and Knowledge Management. Findings suggest that the Programme has broadly attained its anticipated outcomes in preparing alumni for the workplace and that to some extent a balance between the various considerations outlined in the literature had been achieved.
An analysis of staff perceptions of the structure of the provincial library services and their affiliated public libraries in the light of socio-political circumstances, 1990 - April 1994.
(1995) Stilwell, Christine.; Horton, Weldon J.; Kaniki, Andrew M.
Abstract available in pdf file.
The applicability of the major social science paradigms to the study of the agricultural knowledge and information systems of small-scale farmers.
(University of KwaZulu-Natal., 2012) Munyua, Hilda Mantema.; Stilwell, Christine.
The social sciences offer a rich array of paradigms within which to locate agricultural knowledge and information systems (AKIS) research. This article provides an overview of the major paradigms in the social sciences, identifying those which offer a lens through which the AKISs of small-scale farmers can be viewed. It is based on a review and analysis of the paradigms, perspectives and approaches that are appropriate for studying different facets of an AKIS. These systems are complex by nature but Social constructivism, Phenomenology, Interpretive and Participatory paradigms make possible a pluralistic and compatibilist approach that provides the necessary logic and harmony for such a study. A systems approach, mixed methods methodology and multiple data collection methods can be used to improve understanding of AKISs of this type. A pragmatic paradigmatic stance is recommended to guide the design for a comprehensive study of the AKISs of small-scale farmers in developing countries.
The application of a participatory evaluation method to the public library : the case of Tholulwazi Library, Besters Camp, Inanda, Durban.
(1997) Wyley, Chantelle Hulda.; Stilwell, Christine.
A participatory evaluation method used to evaluate development projects is applied to the public library. The Tholulwazi Library, Besters Camp, Inanda - the first library established by the Durban Municipal Library service in an informal settlement - is the case used in the study. The developmental context of public libraries in South Africa in the 1990s provided part of the justification for this approach. This context relates to community demands for libraries along with other development services, as well as claims of developmental and educational benefit used to motivate for public library funding. Diminishing public budgets and calls for efficiency and effectiveness in the public service, suggest the need to evaluate and demonstrate impact and community benefit. In addition a survey of the literature on library evaluation since the 1970s indicates that useful, easily applicable methods of library evaluation are unavailable to the practitioner, hence the justification for considering models developed in other sectors. This thesis surveys the library evaluation literature, and then looks to trends in the evaluation of social service and development projects and programmes. An approach which combines a systematic and objectives-oriented approach, effected by a participatory methodology is selected and applied to the Tholulwazi Library. The evaluation takes place via a questionnaire survey of a group of library users (students), a use register and library counter-based survey; supplemented by existing population data on the Besters area. A work group consisting of library staff and user representatives, facilitated by the author, conducted the evaluation. The evaluation results reflect on the validity of library planning, and quantify and qualify the extent and type of use of students users, and the benefit derived. These results are analysed in relation to library objectives, and the coincidence or deviation commented upon. Recommendations for action in the management of Tholulwazi Library are given, as well as recommendations applicable to the planning and establishment of new libraries in other informal settlements and townships. Suggestions as to further use of this evaluation approach are given, in addition to comments on the relevance and applicability of the methodology. These focus on the strategic and managerial benefit of demonstrating a link between library resources and activities (funded by public moneys), to use and user benefit. The use of a participatory methodology is shown to be technically necessary in demonstrating this link, as well as politically strategic. Valid and appropriate decision-making by management needs input from all levels, hence the value of utilising 'multiple realities' of all groupings involved with delivery at a particular service point, in such an evaluation. The approach used suggests a more conscious approach to management of libraries generally. It points to specific, periodic reflection on and analysis of the role of the library as a social institution and the societal problems addressed. This includes analysis of the library environment, focusing on existing and potential target groups. The analysis applies in relation to conscious planning procedures, as well as ongoing monitoring and periodic evaluation of endeavours.
"Boundless opportunities": towards an assessment of the usefulness of the concept of social exclusion for the South African public library situation.
(University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006) Stilwell, Christine.
Defines the concept of social exclusion. Identifies factors that contribute to social exclusion. Explores the usefulness of the concept in local contexts
Challenges of managing indigenous knowledge systems.
(Elsevier, 2011) Lwoga, Edda Tandi.; Ngulube, Patrick.; Stilwell, Christine.
This article provides a systematic analysis of the challenges of managing agricultural indigenous knowledge (IK), and accessing external knowledge in the rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa, with a specific focus on Tanzania. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect primary data from 181 smallscale farmers in the six districts of Tanzania. The findings indicated that farmers faced various challenges in managing their IK, and accessing external knowledge, which ranged from personal and social barriers, to factors in the external environment such as infrastructure, policy, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and weak linkages between research, extension services and farmers. Farmers also faced challenges when using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to manage their knowledge, such as personal, socio-cultural, infrastructural, technical, and economic factors. It is thus important for the government to improve access to extension services, review the IPR system, enhance rural electrification, telecommunications and roads infrastructure. Further, the knowledge providers (i.e. agricultural extension officers, researchers, educators, libraries, non governmental organisations, civil society, and other agricultural actors) should nurture a knowledge sharing culture. Farmers need to be assisted and trained to document their knowledge, map communities’ IK bearers and innovators, use multiple formats (print and ICTs) with traditional communication channels (for instance, folklore and apprenticeships) specific to a local context to disseminate knowledge. Participatory approaches should be employed in knowledge production and dissemination in order to include farmers’ needs and expressing knowledge in the resulting technologies, practices and new knowledge. In this way linkages between indigenous and external knowledge would be enhanced for improved farming activities in the local communities.
A comparative study of the costs and benefits of journal ownership versus full-text electronic access in the Faculty of Science at the University of Natal, Durban, Libraries.
(2004) Pather, Roshini.; Stilwell, Christine.
There has been a huge increase in the costs of the journal collection at the University of Natal, Durban Libraries. This is due to the increased foreign exchange rate compounded by the frequent increase in the price of journal subscriptions. The library budget has not been able to keep pace with these increases in materials. The consequence is the cancellation of journal subscriptions together with the erosion of new book purchasing. To cope with this situation, libraries are coming to measure their collections and looking at alternative ways to overcome this journal crisis. The development of the technology of computers has greatly widened access to information but still at a cost in money and specialized skills much higher than is required for access to the traditional media. With the technology, the user can access the information or journal from anywhere not necessarily in the library but from home as well as the office. The patron can access various information sources from one point. For this study a multi-pronged method was employed. The methods employed were a literature review, a review of the documentary sources, an analysis of the journal data, surveys by self-administered questionnaires to the users – postgraduate students and academic staff in the Faculty of Science and an interview with the Acting University Librarian, Ms Nora Buchanan. One important element of the survey was to obtain in-depth information on journal usage patterns. The study was interested in determining whether the shift from print to electronic would affect journal usage patterns and dependence on the physical library. The findings of the survey demonstrated that usage patterns have changed and now favour the use of e-journals. There are, however, certain advantages to both formats and it is important to take advantage of both. The University Librarian interviewed recognized the popularity of e-journals and saw that over time the journal collections will shift from print to electronic. The archiving of online content remains a concern and print is still regarded as a short-term answer to the archive problem. The analysis of the journal data revealed that print and e-journal prices increased substantially each year, with the exception of 2004, for various reasons. But the print journals increased much more than the e-journals. The findings of this study could be drawn on to inform policy and practice regarding journal acquisition at the Howard College Libraries, University of KwaZulu-Natal and possibly other libraries as well.
A contextual study of information literacy of aspirant barristers in Nigeria.
(LIASA, 2012) Lawal, Victoria Ladi.; Stilwell, Christine.; Kuhn, Rosemary Jean.; Underwood, Peter Graham.
The study upon which the article is based investigated the information literacy of aspirant barristers in Nigeria and examined the efforts undertaken to restructure the legal education system in Nigeria. It explored the connection between contextual influences and professional development, particularly with respect to the concept of legal information literacy and the value of acquired educational skills in the context of legal practice in Nigeria. Data were obtained using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Key findings from the study were supportive of the importance of information literacy as central to the development of professional competence of the aspirant barristers which can be achieved through re-structuring the teaching methods and curricula of the Nigerian Law School (NLS). The study makes recommendations for the adoption and integration of information literacy as a conceptual framework by which skills training can be developed into the curriculum of the Nigerian Law School.
A contextual study of the information literacy of aspirant barristers in Nigeria.
(2012) Lawal, Victoria Ladi.; Stilwell, Christine.; Underwood, Peter Graham.; Kuhn, Rosemary Jean.
This study investigated the information literacy of aspirant barristers in Nigeria and examined the steps undertaken to restructure the legal education system in Nigeria. It explored the connection between contextual influences and professional development, particularly with respect to the concept of legal information literacy and the value of acquired educational skills in the context of legal practice in Nigeria. The theoretical framework that underpinned the study was derived from the application of Kuhlthau’s (1993) Information Search Process (ISP) and Byström’s (1999) theory of Information Activity in Work. Kuhlthau’s model was relevant for investigating issues of uncertainty in the information seeking behaviour of the aspirant barristers and further confirmed the empirical validity of the model in the educational and workplace contexts. Byström’s theory was also valuable in analysing problems of task complexity experienced by the aspirant barristers in information use. The study employed a case study method; the data collection process involved the administration of questionnaires to the aspirant barristers and law firms to which they were assigned for vocational training. A mixed method approach was used to provide complementary insights to the findings of the study. Key findings from the study were supportive of the importance of information literacy as being central to the development of professional competence of the aspirant barristers which can be achieved through re-structuring the teaching methods and curricula of the Nigerian Law School. Outcomes from the study also pointed to a need for greater collaboration between the legal education system and the legal profession in narrowing the gap between the teaching and practice of law in Nigeria. Collaboration with academic librarians and legal information specialists is also necessary with respect to the role that these two groups can play in the design and implementation of an information literacy framework for the legal education system in Nigeria. The study makes recommendations for the adoption and integration of information literacy as a conceptual framework into the curriculum of the Nigerian Law School. In this way skills training can be enhanced. The information literacy model, designed as part of the recommendations from this study, provides guidelines for the various processes by which a teaching model that is unique to the context of the legal education system in Nigeria can be developed, tested and implemented.
Developing a model for a corporate records management system with special reference to sustainability reporting in Iringa region, Tanzania.
(2005) Mwani, Bukaza Loth Chachage.; Ngulube, Patrick.; Stilwell, Christine.
The effect of the crisis in scholarly communication on university libraries in South Africa.
(2010) Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.; Stilwell, Christine.
The study examined the effect the crisis in scholarly communication had on university libraries in South Africa. The crisis in scholarly communication or the 'serials' crisis as it is better known to librarians has affected many academic libraries worldwide. The monopoly commercial publishers have on the academic serial/journal market has resulted in high priced subscriptions and many libraries have simply cancelled subscriptions or limited the purchase of monographs (books) to pay for ongoing journal subscriptions. A study population consisting of 17 university libraries in South Africa was surveyed by means of an online questionnaire to establish how university libraries in South Africa were affected by the crisis in scholarly communication. The research questions underpinning the study examined the cause of the crisis together with its characteristics, the factors that influenced journal cancellations, the effects of open access on journal cancellations, institutional support for open access repositories and the funding of university library budgets. A total of 12 university libraries (representing 70.6%) responded. Telephonic interviews with the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Directors or Deans of Research at selected universities were conducted to gather supplementary data as well as verifying some points that emanated from some of the responses to the questionnaire. Results were analysed in terms of frequency of responses and graphically displayed in the form of pie charts and tables. Interpretation of the results reveals South African university libraries, like most academic and research libraries world wide, have been adversely affected by the crisis in scholarly communication. On an annual basis university librarians are faced with hard choices in terms of deciding which journals to cancel. In terms of South Africa, open access initiatives are in the early stages of development and as university librarians have not embraced such initiatives, the benefits are not being realised. Thus university libraries in South Africa are dependent on paid-for journal subscriptions. Maintaining these subscriptions will be more and more difficult as a result of the high cost of such subscriptions and the fluctuating rand. To mitigate some of these difficulties experienced university librarians should make a concerted effort to facilitate access to local research by way of institutional repositories and free content available via open access initiatives. Recommendations for university libraries and librarians are made in light of the results of the survey and the literature review. These recommendations relate to the library budget, librarians knowledge of their library collections, librarians administering and maintaining institutional repositories and facilitating access to open access content.
The effects of climate change in preserving the past and enhancing the future of legal deposit in South Africa.
(UNISA, 2013) Nsibirwa, Zawedde Gulikomuseesa.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.; Stilwell, Christine.
With the current problems of global warming and climate change, preservationists are applying green construction principles to depositories and archival facilities (Henry 2008:3; Kim2008; Nsibirwa 20 12:73).Collections stewards, architects and engineers face design challenges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop an adaptive response to climate trends (Henry 2008:3).A2012 study by Nsibirwa (2012) of the preservation of, and access to, legal deposit materials found that climate change can affect the buildings that are the most important source of security to the materials stored in them. One of the objectives of the doctoral study on which the article is based, was to find out what activities and strategies are used to preserve the materials, as well as to provide a way forward in the preservation of South Africa's cultural heritage. The units of analysis in this study were four legal deposit libraries and three official publications depositories. In this study the population comprised a total of 17members of staff: three heads of libraries and 14 librarians. The survey of legal depositories found that preservation activities are generally underdeveloped as a result of various factors, including insufficientfunding. Yet, there is a greater need than ever for preservation, since predictions are that temperatures, rising seas, rainfall and flooding will continue to increase due to climate change and global warming. These conditions will lead to a shift in approaches to preservation, including looking at what poses the greatest threat when it comes to climate change. The study found that depositories may need to revert to some ancient as well as new sustainable approaches to offset the effects of climate change. The article puts forward a number of practical solutions to ensure that the environment in which materials are kept, is suitable.
An evaluation of SANGONeT as a regional electronic information and communication network for development and human rights organizations in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2001) Ndlovu, Nokuthula Patricia.; Stilwell, Christine.
This study was a user oriented evaluation of the South African Non-government Organizations Network (SANGONeT), a regional electronic information and communication network for development and human rights workers. SANGONeT emphasizes the need for integrating a variety of information related tasks through the use of information and communication technologies (lCT). Its mission is to facilitate the effective and empowering use of ICTs by development and social justice actors in Southern Africa. While SANGONeT is one of the oldest networks for development and human rights sectors in South Africa, no other evaluations of this particular network, from the users' perspective could be traced. The study sought to determine SANGONeT's intended users' perceptions of the network, in terms of their level of awareness and, utilization, accessibility, relevance of the network and its level of facilitation in networking. SANGONeT was evaluated using effectiveness indicators. The respondents were the development and human rights organizations in K waZulu-Natal which subscribed to SANGONeT, or those which use certain services provided by the network as well as those which do not use the network but which are potential users. The SANGONeT subscribers formed only a small proportion of the population. They were all included in the study. A number of potential subscribers who were nonsubscribers were added. According to the findings, the subscribers were satisfied with the services that SANGONeT provides and they do see it as a networking facilitator. The nonsubscribers and the nonusers were not aware of the network's existence or the services it provides. Underutilisation does not result from the problems of accessibility and relevance. Lack of awareness emerged as the main reason for the underutilisation of SANGONeT in KwaZulu-Natal. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations are made for SANGONeT as well as suggestions for further study.
Evaluation of the "Information Retrieval Skills - Agri220" module in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
(2001) Krige, Emily-Ann Jensen.; Kaniki, Andrew M.; Stilwell, Christine.; Leach, Athol Brian.
An evaluation was conducted on a credit-bearing module that has recently become compulsory for second year students in four of the six schools in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. The module was based on a course that has been run for Agriculture students since the 1980s. The module "Information Retrieval Skills" (Agri220) is run over a two week period at the beginning of the first semester and covers the library computer catalogue, OPAC and other retrieval tools such as print-based abstracts and indexes, SABINET Online and the CD-ROM databases in the library. The study sought to determine students' perceptions of the Agri220 module, to determine whether the outcomes as described in the Agri220 module template were evident in students, and to determine the use students made of the library. The method that was used in the evaluation was summative, and thus conducted after students had completed the module. Furthermore to find out their views about the contribution of the module to their studies, the study focused on students who had done the module over a year previously. The respondents were students in the School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness as these were the students for whom the module was compulsory in 1999. A survey was done of five third year classes , which consisted of both third and fourth year students, and questionnaires were distributed and completed in the classes. Students were very positive in their feedback about the module and reported becoming more efficient in their use of the library. They were largely familiar with the interlibrary loan service and OPAC but were aware to a lesser extent of the print-based abstracts and indexes in the library. The study found that students predominantly used books and to a lesser extent journals. Electronic retrieval formats were popular. The students who supplemented their notes with extra readings relied on reserved material and reading lists. Students made suggestions about changes to the module: such as extending the length of the module, bringing it forward to first year, and teaching the module in smaller groups.
An exploratory study of the information needs of secondary school students in MdantsaneTownship, Eastern Cape.
(1999) Rubushe, Bulewa Promotia.; Radebe, Thulisile Eddista.; Stilwell, Christine.
The Study investigates the information needs of high School students in the Mdantsane Township,in the Eastern Cape and is based on the view that high School Students have information needs other than their School-related needs.The building of a Library in the Township made the investigation of this substantial group's,information needs was important in establishing what sort of information service was required.
From adversarialism to co-operation: key implications of the new South African labour dispensation for the library and information sector.
(UNISA, 2007) Raju, Rajandren.; Stilwell, Christine.
The concept of co-determination, which is a fundamental principle underpinning the new South African labour dispensation, is examined. Co-determination represents a deliberate move away from adversarialism to cooperation. As the intention of the legislation is to have employers work together with employees, who are organised collectively into trade unions, the present article examines the effect of the trade union movement on the library and information services (LIS) sector. It identifies factors in the international literature that are seen to have an influence on the growth of trade unionism and traces these within the South African LIS context in relation to four key statutes in the Labour Relations Act. The LIS sector in South Africa is represented by a myriad of "generic" unions and a professional association and this dichotomous system of representation has severely limited its opportunities to exploit the progressive labour dispensation. The sector should therefore re-examine the opportunities offered by the new dispensation. The article focuses in particular on the tertiary education sector.
Gender essentialism : a conceptual and empirical exploration of notions of maternal essence as a framework for explaining gender difference.
(2010) Manicom, Desiree Pushpeganday.; Stilwell, Christine.; Marcus, Tessa.
The study sought to explore gender essentialism conceptually and empirically, and to specifically examine the concept of maternal essence as a framework for explaining gender difference. Gender, gender difference, gender essentialism, mothering and motherhood are individual fields of study however this thesis provides a sociological exploration of the intersections between these different fields. A selection was made of gender theorists: Simone de Beauvoir (1972), Shulamith Firestone (1970), Nancy Chodorow (1978, 1989, 1994) and Sara Ruddick (1989). I characterise these theorists as essentialist and analysed their contributions to explore their notions of gender difference. All four theorists commonly located gender difference in a maternal essence residing in individual women and their experiences. This essence was characterised as being biological, social or psychological. I came to the conclusion that women’s maternity was seen to be determined and reduced to biological essence (reproductive functions) or psychological essence (emotional drives and cognitive attributes) or social essence (mothering activity). All four theorists also read off micro social structural formations (family) from either individual biology or individual practice or individual psyche. In the writings of these theorists individuals are conceived of as discrete objects separated from the macro social structural context in which they exist. The study took the view that conceptions of gender can only be held to be true based on their power to represent social reality. To this end the study explored the extent to which the selected theorists’ notions of gender essentialism illuminate the social reality of individual men and women. Their essentialist conceptions of gender difference were subjected to empirical and/ or discursive examination against the maternal realities of women in South Africa. The study used data from already existing studies and policy, legislation and programmes from South Africa which report on findings and reflect notions of gender differences which are located in mothering and defined in women’s reproduction, mothering capacity and maternal practice/thinking. The empirical and discursive evidence examined in this study showed that the four theorists’ essentialist characterisation of gender difference is useful as it draws our attention to the significance of maternity for women’s individual experiences and identity as well as for society in general. However, the empirical and discursive evidence also revealed that external macro social structures, institutions and state discourse and practices influence the significance of maternity for women and society in general. The study therefore points to both the limits and the possibilities of essentialist notions, specifically maternal essence as an individual attribute, in explaining gender difference. This leads me to the view that there is a need for an approach that takes into account the complex, dialectical interaction between individual mothers and their social context to explain mothers’ experiences, behaviour, actions, capacities, attitudes, thinking, desires and activities. This study provides examples of how secondary empirical studies and policy discourse can be used to explore the usefulness of essentialist notions of gender difference. It offers a way in which the power of essentialist accounts of gender difference can be tested conceptually and empirically. It also provides evidence which can be used to extend investigations on essentialist notions of gender difference.