African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science

A Bibliometric Analysis of Library and Information Science Research in Africa: A case study of the African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science, 1991-2024 Part 1

L.O. Aina — 2024-10-29

In order to evaluate the productivity of a subject field like the library and information science, a bibliometric analysis was carried out, using the African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science (AJLAIS.) as a source journal, with a view to determining the characteristics and trends of the journal. Publications produced between 1991 and 2024 in the journal were analysed in terms of quantity of articles, degree of collaboration, statuses, institutional affiliations and geographical locations, subject coverage and degree of collaboration among authors. A publication count of all the papers produced during the period was made and an analysis was carried out. The study shows that during the period, 557 publications were produced and they consist of 526 scholarly publications and 31 book reviews. Eight hundred and fifty-four authors produced the 526 scholarly publications in the source journal. Most of the authors were of the professorial status (21.9%). The study revealed that the degree of collaboration among authors in the library and information science field was 0.61. Authors from the University of Botswana and the University of Ibadan were the highest contributors of papers in AJLAIS. The geographical locations of most of the authors were in Nigeria (42%) and South Africa (21.3%). Authors of papers came from 29 countries including 12 countries outside Africa. The major subject areas covered in the journal were information and communications technologies, archives and records management, bibliometrics, publishing, etc. Some subject gaps identified in the journal were artificial intelligence, infopreneurship and Resource Description and Access (RDA). The recommendations of the study included the provision of generous research grants to academic institutions in order to promote research in the different academic institutions. The need to promote collaboration among authors and finally, the importance of carrying out research investigations in the subject gaps.

Managing heritage: A study of archival collections handling practices at Botswana National Archives and Records Services

Andrew Phologolo — 2024-10-29

Archival institutions worldwide face the challenge of collection deterioration through the handling and use of archives, inadequate or lack of records management standards and noncompliance with archival legislations. This study aimed at assessing the handling practices and use of archival collections in Botswana. The study adopted the pragmatist paradigm and consequently used questionnaires, interviews, and observations to collect data. The study sample consisted of sixteen (16) Botswana National Archives and Records Services (BNARS) staff purposively selected for interview and 297 BNARS users randomly selected to complete the questionnaire. The findings revealed that, although the staff of the surveyed institution demonstrated reasonable commitment to collection care or preservation of archives, and BNARS does not consistently respond to proper collection care and compliance programme.Furthermore, the study revealed that inappropriate handling and use of archives practices, lack of training in preservation, inadequate supervision of the study area, and failure to enforce compliance to archives legislations contribute to archives collection deterioration. The study recommended that the development of guidelines on good handling practices, preservation policy, handling manual, compliance programme, among others.

Traversing the intersection: Legislative frameworks and initiatives for archival access in East and Southern Africa

Nampombe Saurombe — 2024-10-29

Archival legislation provides a framework for how national archives should function in different countries. Being crucial archival legislation should therefore clearly underscore how to access the holdings and all other restrictions linked to accessing specific holdings. Since outreach, advocacy, and public programming initiatives facilitate access, archival legislation should provide legal grounds to ensure the planning and implementation of such programmes. Recent literature indicates that there is the limited use of archives by communities in East and Southern Africa, proving that archival public programming, outreach and advocacy efforts in the region still leaves much to be desired in addressing this challenge. Extant literature on facilitating access to archives in this region does not mention much about the role of legislation and policies in strengthening these initiatives. A qualitative content analysis of different archival legislations from selected countries in East and Southern Africa and related literature helped to determine existing provisions for the promotion of access and the use of archives. The findings revealed that outdated legislation and a dearth of policies exist in most countries in this region. Recommendations include reviewing laws, formulating access policies, and leveraging advocacy efforts to the advantage of public archival repositories.

Preserving indigenous knowledge in culture houses in the digital era in Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe

Josiline Chigwada — 2024-10-29

The study was conducted in Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe to interrogate the strategies being used to preserve indigenous knowledge, in the face of technological challenges. The researchers sought to ascertain the web presence of such entities and the awareness of indigenous datagovernance principles among information professionals. Qualitative research, using multiple case studies, was conducted. Web content analysis was done to identify such spaces, with four culture houses being purposively selected. Interviews were conducted with the participants who were available on the day of the researchers’ visit when the latter observed each site. The findings showed that all culture houses did not have a web presence, and some administrators were aware of the principles for preserving indigenous knowledge in the digital era. The study recommends that in the future, cultural tourism can be better promoted, and indigenous communities empowered, by enhancing their access to related knowledge to achieve sustainable development goals.

Enhancing library personnel performance through After-Action Reviews in south-south, Nigeria: A knowledge-sharing approach

Lawrence Arumuru — 2024-10-29

This study investigated After-Action knowledgesharing strategy and work performance of library personnel in federal university libraries in the southsouth region of Nigeria. After-Action Reviews (AARs), originating from the United States Army, involve structured workgroup meetings to reflect on completed projects, fostering knowledge sharing among teams. Despite its benefits in various organisational contexts, their influence on university library workgroup remains unexplored. The focus of the study was to explore the influence of knowledge-sharing strategy on library personnel performance, the difference between the institution of library personnel and AARs deployment, and the significant bond between AARs and library personnel performance. The methodology involves a correlational research design with a population of 417 respondents from seven federal university libraries. A questionnaire served as the research tool. Data analysis utilises descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicate that the application AARs influences the performance of library personnel (Criterion Mean = 2.50 Aggregate Mean = 3.27); the deployment of AARs is consistent across the federal university libraries ({F =6,405 = 0.759}; {P = 0.603}; p 0.05), and a significant positive bond between AARs and performance of library personnel (r =.456. p .000). It was concluded that AARs is effective for promoting library personnel performance, hence, there should wide spread promotion of its usage for continuous improvement, collaborative success, and overall job satisfaction among library personnel. Recommendations include federal university library managements should establish After-Action Reviews (AARs) as a standard practice to harness the positive influence of after-action knowledge-sharing on library personnel performance.

Artificial intelligence embedded cloud computing technology for the management of digital archives in the Fifth Industrial Revolution in South Africa

Mashilo Modiba — 2024-10-29

Artificial intelligence embedded cloud computing technology can serve as a reliable storage for digital records in the fifth industrial revolution in South Africa. Some cloud storage facilities are embedded in the artificial intelligence powered electronic records management to ensure that digital archives and records are effectively managed and can be accessed anytime and anywhere as long as there is access to the Internet. Digital archives refer to the digitalised archival records and born digital archives that can be managed through artificial intelligence cloud computing technology. Artificial intelligence embedded cloud computing technology enables organisations to access and store information without managing their own physical devices or information technology infrastructure. Artificial intelligence refers to the use of intelligent robotic machines and AI powered software and applications to manage digital archives through artificial intelligence powered cloud storage facilities. Cloud computing as technology means using Internet servers for storage, management, and processing of digital archives and records for the entire life cycle. This is a qualitative study, where content analysis was used as a research methodology. Themes such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing technology and digital archives were used to search for literature. The findings indicate that artificial intelligence embedded cloud computing technology can store digital archives and records effectively and they can be protected through encrypted passwords and security codes for security purposes. The digital archives can also be accessed anytime and anywhere through the use of smart computer technology. The study recommends a framework on how artificial intelligence embedded cloud computing technology can be used to manage the digital archives and ensure easy access to such digital archives in South Africa. It is hoped that organisations in South Africa can adopt the framework to utilise artificial intelligence cloud computing technology to manage their digital archives effectively and efficiently.

Awareness and compliance of science-based researchers to legal deposit obligations in Nigeria

Ayobami Akinniyi Adeleke — 2024-10-29

This paper investigated the awareness and compliance of science-based researchers to legal deposit obligations in Southwest Nigeria. Survey research was adopted. A purposive sampling technique was used for the study. Thirty-five scientists from eight research institutes and centres volunteered to participate in the study. Data were collected with the questionnaire. The collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. The findings showed that science-based researchers in research institutes in Nigeria had a low awareness of their legal deposit obligations. The findings also revealed that their compliance with the legal deposit obligations was equally low. The study recommended that public enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns, monetary incentives, designating specific personnel for legal deposit campaigns and collection in research institutes and an upward review of the penalty for non-compliance be put in place by the National Library of Nigeria as motivating factors for awareness and compliance.