Journal Articles

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http://192.168.18.118:4000/handle/20.500.12661/393

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Delivering and utilising library services during the pandemic disease outbreak: challenges and coping strategies
(SAGE Publications, 2024-02-10) Wilfred, Josephine; Mwantimwa, Kelefa
Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused severe shutdowns, quarantines, closures, cancellations, and other restrictive measures in different countries. Educational institutions such as universities, colleges, and schools were not immune to the devastating effects caused by the pandemic. Purpose The present study intended to explore challenges and coping strategies in maintaining access to and use of resources and services in academic libraries during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research design To gain familiarity and acquire new insight into how Tanzania academic libraries managed their services during the COVID-19 pandemic exploratory research design was employed. A qualitative approach was mainly used to explore library staff and users’ opinions and experiences on library service provision during the pandemic outbreak. Data collection methods and analysis Focus group discussions (FGDs) and face-to-face semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Data collected through FGD and semi-structured interviews were transcribed and subjected to qualitative data analysis. In particular, thematic analysis was employed in analysing data based on assigned themes. Results Generally, the study reveals multiple challenges in delivering library services and resources and their coping strategies. However, most of the coping strategies put forward mainly focused into preventing the pandemic, rather than enhancing access to and use of library services and resources among the users. Conclusion and recommendations The study exposes challenges that affected the delivery and use of library services during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their coping strategies were known. Proposal to digitize the library collections, invest in the application of digital library solutions and innovations, build capacity in digital competencies among the library staff and users, and increase access and use of open and freely available resources and services appear to be sustainable coping strategies when a pandemic occurs.
Delivering and utilising library services during the pandemic disease outbreak: challenges and coping strategies
(SAGE Publications, 2024) Wilfred, Josephine; Mwantimwa, Kelefa
Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused severe shutdowns, quarantines, closures, cancellations, and other restrictive measures in different countries. Educational institutions such as universities, colleges, and schools were not immune to the devastating effects caused by the pandemic. Purpose The present study intended to explore challenges and coping strategies in maintaining access to and use of resources and services in academic libraries during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research design To gain familiarity and acquire new insight into how Tanzania academic libraries managed their services during the COVID-19 pandemic exploratory research design was employed. A qualitative approach was mainly used to explore library staff and users’ opinions and experiences on library service provision during the pandemic outbreak. Data collection methods and analysis Focus group discussions (FGDs) and face-to-face semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Data collected through FGD and semi-structured interviews were transcribed and subjected to qualitative data analysis. In particular, thematic analysis was employed in analysing data based on assigned themes. Results Generally, the study reveals multiple challenges in delivering library services and resources and their coping strategies. However, most of the coping strategies put forward mainly focused into preventing the pandemic, rather than enhancing access to and use of library services and resources among the users. Conclusion and recommendations The study exposes challenges that affected the delivery and use of library services during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their coping strategies were known. Proposal to digitize the library collections, invest in the application of digital library solutions and innovations, build capacity in digital competencies among the library staff and users, and increase access and use of open and freely available resources and services appear to be sustainable coping strategies when a pandemic occurs.
Requisite information and communication technology skills and knowledge for fostering embedded librarianship practices in Tanzania
(Informa UK Limited, 2024-01-02) Mushi, Carren; Mwantimwa, Kelefa; Wema, Evans
This study has examined librarians’ possession of information and communication technology (ICT) skills and knowledge that are requisite to practicing embedded librarianship in Tanzanian academic libraries. An exploratory cross-sectional design and qualitative and quantitative approaches have been employed by the study to collect data from 166 librarians and 6 library directors. While the data collected using a questionnaire have been analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions version 21, those collected using interviews have been analyzed thematically. The study reveals that librarians have inadequate ICT skills and knowledge needed to effectively implement embedded librarianship. More specifically, the librarians lack the skills and knowledge needed to deploy sophisticated ICT tools, software, and online platforms. Regarding the ways through which librarians acquired the ICT skills and knowledge they had, the study reveals diverse sources. To effectively practice embedded librarianship, the study recommends both long-term and short-term ICT training for library professionals.
Requisite Information and Communication Technology Skills and Knowledge for Fostering Embedded Librarianship Practices in Tanzania
(Informa UK Limited, 2024) Mushi, Carren; Mwantimwa, Kelefa; Wema, Evans
This study has examined librarians’ possession of information and communication technology (ICT) skills and knowledge that are requisite to practicing embedded librarianship in Tanzanian academic libraries. An exploratory cross-sectional design and qualitative and quantitative approaches have been employed by the study to collect data from 166 librarians and 6 library directors. While the data collected using a questionnaire have been analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions version 21, those collected using interviews have been analyzed thematically. The study reveals that librarians have inadequate ICT skills and knowledge needed to effectively implement embedded librarianship. More specifically, the librarians lack the skills and knowledge needed to deploy sophisticated ICT tools, software, and online platforms. Regarding the ways through which librarians acquired the ICT skills and knowledge they had, the study reveals diverse sources. To effectively practice embedded librarianship, the study recommends both long-term and short-term ICT training for library professionals.

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