Faculty of Education and Human Sciences

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Browsing Faculty of Education and Human Sciences by Subject "Academic libraries"

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    The status of web 2.0 tools in the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and University of Namibia (UNAM) libraries
    (University of Namibia, 2020) Najjuuko, Damalie Ethal
    The introduction of Web 2.0 tools within libraries has become increasingly common and is being incorporated in many libraries’ services worldwide. This study investigated the status of Web 2.0 tools at the Namibia University of Science Technology and the University of Namibia main campus libraries. The study population comprised of library staff and students. The study adopted a mixed-methods research approach, employing a case study research design, with surveys and interviews as data collection methods for the quantitative and qualitative research contexts respectively. For the qualitative part of the study, library staff were selected through non-probability sampling technique applying purposive sampling. Five staff members were selected from NUST library and five from UNAM library. Furthermore, students were selected using the stratified sampling method, where students were divided according to their respective faculties for the quantitative study method. This was followed by convenience sampling that was used to identify large classes with full-time students, who were available to participate in the study within the respective departments of each faculty. This type of sampling was chosen because due to the large on-campus University population, it was not possible to include every subject as the population was almost finite. The researcher administered a total of 200 questionnaires, whereby 177 questionnaires were completed. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) was employed to obtain descriptive statistics for quantitative data. The qualitative data was analysed by identifying patterns in the data, thereafter creating codes, and categorizing those codes into themes. These themes were then presented in an organized manner. The findings indicate a very slow uptake of the adoption of Web 2.0 tools within the NUST and UNAM libraries, which can be associated with the low level of awareness of such tools. The most used tools by students were Facebook and Instagram. The staff indicated that they were familiar with LinkedIn as a Web 2.0 tool, and suggested that library management should host change management workshops to encourage the adoption of new Web 2.0 tools among students and staff. The provision of adequate services and resources in-line with library users’ information needs is important to ensure that academic libraries remain relevant. The study recommends a comprehensive training programme covering the areas of change management and the introduction of new Web 2.0 tools for the libraries. In addition, the study also recommends that academic libraries develop and implement policies and guidelines to encourage library users to take part in accessing and using Web 2.0 tools. This policy should be aligned with existing IT policies that encourage the advancement of technology use within Namibia as a whole. Areas of further research would examine the status of awareness and adoption of Web 2.0 tools within special and public schools. Further research should also be extended to the investigation of awareness and adoption of Web 2.0 tools by librarians and students in the UNAM and NUST Universities regional centres and other academic institutions on a national level.