05/05/2009

E – Resources use via the internet improvement is a must: a case of special libraries in Tanzania

Presenter: Hubert Shija, Librarian, Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

IntroductionInternet has improved library services and products dramatically

Libraries now offer products and services like electronic journals and booksNow three types of libraries exist

TraditionalHybridOnline/ digital/ virtual

Use of electronic journals in Tanzania is still low

Methods of StudySecondary survey data/ document surveyExperienceFocus is on special libraries (research and academic ones – users and staff) and electronic journals

Contextual Framework

Patrons,Staff,

Libraries

CausesSkills,

Connectivity,Awareness,

License uniformity,Single sign on,

Finance.

UseLow/ high

ProductsE –

Journals via

internet

Source: Adopted and modified from Shija, 2002

Contextual Framework Cont’d

AIDA = Attention/ Awareness Interest Desire Action

Source: Adapted from Smith, 1999

Communications Model

Main Causes of Low Use Internet skills

Internet and computer skills are required to use e – journalsMost library users and some staff possess low skills or not at allTraining is not conducted adequately and regularly

Lack of awarenessSome library staff and patrons do not have information on electronic resources for fee and for free e.g. AGORA, DfID funded communication programmes like PERI, GDNet.Library staff do not market them effectively and constantly based on models like AIDACustomers are not given an opportunity to try use them

Main Causes of Low Use Cont’dPoor infrastructure and connectivity

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are fewPolicy

IXP not fully utilizedTelephone lines are patchy: fibre optic owned by companies like TRL, TANESCO

ICT national backbone is built using those owned by different companies

Most libraries do not have enough hardware like computersThird Generation (3G) mobile internet is less adopted and expensiveSupporting infrastructure

Bandwidth is low and expensive Unreliable electricity like frequent power cuts

Main Causes of Low Use -Cont’d

Inadequate Financial ResourcesLack of sufficient funds to buy hardware like computersFailure to subscribe to e – journals and renew them consecutivelyPurchasing of low bandwidth which is costly as well

e.g. USD 5.85 per hour (WBCSD, 2000?); USD 1 for 7.63 kbps (ATICS, 2006); USD 186 per month for every 100 kbit/s

Subsidies for PERI e- journal access and use might be reducedInsufficient funds for regular trainings Lack of funds to purchase standby generators and/ or power inventers

Main Causes of Low Use -Cont’d

Single Sign on/ One Stop shopDifferent e – journal publishers; different access controls like

Username and passwordIP addressEmbedded and/ or referring URL login

Many usernames, passwords and browsers confuse usersSingle Sign On systems (one browser, one username, and one password to access many resources) like Athens, ExLibris –SFX not highly employedUsing IP address, only static one is required e.g. oxford

Main Causes of Low Use - Cont’dLicense Uniformity

Not all publishers/ databases offer back files e.g. Wile – Blackwell offer them at special rateOther publishers/ databases restrict e – journals usage country wise e.g. AGORA, some of PERI journalsThey use non uniform access controls

Minor Causes Not all these apply to researchers

Confidence: some users are not confident enough to try using these resources

Attitude: some users have negative attitude towards computers and internet

Literacy: little knowledge of reading can bar users from using the resources, this is not an issue to users – researchers

Language: this also cannot apply in this context

ConclusionMain causes are

SkillsConnectivityAwareness

National and International stakeholders have an obligation to alleviate this problem

RecommendationsComputer and Internet skills TrainingEndless promotion of this servicePurchase of hardware like computersPurchase of enough bandwidthPublishers to offer a discount for consecutive renewals

Recommendations Cont’d Based on MDG 8, publishers have to give a uniform licenseUse of modern technologies for single sign onUse of stand by Generators and power inventersISPs should use IXP and/ or the Fibre Optic ICT National Backbone More competition in Internet Service Provision to reduce costUse of embedded URL to reduce use of username and password

EndThanks for listening

Discussion Q & A session

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