University of Namibia Library

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Access to information for people with albinism: Issues, challenges and resolutions
(2021) Ngula, Anna Kaukowe; Bitso, Connie
Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that reduces the amount of melanin pigment formed in the skin, hair and eyes. The difference in appearance between pigmented people and those with albinism is often the object of inaccurate and harmful beliefs about the condition. These beliefs are fuelled by myths, lack of knowledge and understanding. In recent years, it has cost people with albinism (PWA) severely with the mutilation of their body parts and killings in some countries in Africa. PWA challenges include discrimination, stigmatisation, derogative naming, skin cancer, visual impairment, rejection, and social exclusion in fundamentals such as healthcare, education, and employment. Also, access to information remains a challenge to PWA due to poor eyesight and myths associated with the condition, making it difficult for society to openly discuss albinism issues and share information with those in need. The study explored PWA’s challenges, parents of children with albinism (CWA) and organisations that serve PWA in Khomas region Namibia when accessing information. The researchers adopted the interpretivism paradigm and employed a qualitative approach. Data was collected through individual face to face interviews with all the participants. Sixteen participants, both male and female, took part in the study. The fi ndings show that PWA encounter problems when accessing information. These include lack of awareness of information sources coupled with poor eyesight for PWA and reading of information in small fonts that are not provided in alternative formats. The immediate sustainable resolution is delivering inclusive information services that avail health information in multimedia formats to accommodate people with challenges such as visual impairments and other forms of impairments. Although far-fetched, a change in mind-set and negative attitude to PWA, especially in Africa, is critical.
Barrier on access to archives by people with disabilities and inclusive solutions: A review of literature
(2021) Mosweu, Olefhile; Ngula, Anna Kaukowe
Access to archives by members of the public is essential in promoting democracy, accountability, good governance and civic engagement. It is normally provided for by archival legislation. It is also vital in fostering an informed society. The International Council on Archives’ (ICA) Principles on Access to Archives further also nurtures access to archives by all, regardless of their physical health, race and religious affiliation, just to cite a few. However, literature has shown that people with disabilities (PWDs) are denied access to archives due to existing barriers. These include unfriendly building infrastructure and challenges related to physical disabilities, visual impairment, and hearing impairment or other physical coordination. This study is based on a review of literature, and it seeks to identify barriers on access to archives by PWDs and inclusive solutions geared towards facilitating access to archives. Qualitative in terms of the research approach, the study uses the ICA Principles on Access to Archives as a theoretical lens to identify barriers on access to archives by People with Disabilities ((PWDs) and to determine the inclusive solutions required to promote access to archives by PWDs.
Building an academic library collection in a developing country
(2018) Pfohl, Irmela
The University of Namibia was established in 1992 and started as a one-campus institution with fewer than 2,500 students to a university with twelve (12) campuses and nine (9) centers and more than 25,000 students. This study examines the profiles of the UNAM Library collections and the historical dynamics that have impacted it. New programs, schools, and campuses were introduced at a rapid pace and the library could only attempt to keep track with all new developments surrounding it. The role of collection assessment, collection development policy, and e-books were investigated within this scenario.
Constructivist assistive technology in a mathematics classroom for the deaf
(ACM Digital Library, 2019-09) Abiatal, Loide J.;
Within the context of almost nine million children with hearing disabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa, their education is an important topic. The problem was the lack of conclusive research about the effects of digital assistive technologies for educating deaf learners in Sub-Saharan African countries, such as Namibia. The question was could a digital assistive technology improve the mathematics achievement of deaf children? The research objective was to gather scientific evidence by conducting a quantitative experiment with constructivist digital assistive technology and qualitative interviews with the teachers involved. The findings from the experiment suggest that the constructivist digital assistive technology may have had a positive effect on the mathematics achievement of the learners, which was supported by the findings from the interviews. This makes an original contribution to the domain and offers an intervention that was feasible, practical and potentially effective for improving the teaching and learning of mathematics for deaf learners.
Content and use of colonial archives: An under-researched issue
(Springer, 2014) Namhila, Ellen N.
Namibians often find themselves in situations of litigation where they need person-related records to defend their rights and privileges. Such personrelated records include birth, adoption, marriage, or divorce or deceased estates. It has been observed that the institution where such records should be expected, the National Archives of Namibia often cannot retrieve person-related records of persons previously classified as non-whites under colonial and apartheid laws. Many native Namibians end up losing property or have problems claiming their constitutional rights due to lack of evidence. The purpose of this paper was to explore whether the existing archival literature can guide National Archives of new and emerging African nations on how to handle challenges brought about by gaps in inherited colonial archives. Using a literature survey to explore the state of what is written on the content and usage of colonial archives in post-colonial era, this article argues that the content and use of colonial archives in Africa do not feature prominently in the literature of archival science. Although there has been a rising interest on the subject during the last decade, none of this emerging literature has systematically studied archives in depth with a view on what these archives contain for the non-academic user, what they neglect and what they lack altogether in serving the needs of all citizens in post-colonial states. It recommends that archival scholars as well as archival institutions increase research into this neglected area. Raising awareness may produce academic discourse to help archivists in newly decolonised countries to competently support users whose inquiries currently cannot be answered by the inherited colonial archives collections.
Does quality assessment matter in an academic library?: A case study of the University of Namibia library
(2021) Niskala, Ritva; Leonard, Anna
Reliable tools for measuring service quality and demonstrating the impact of services are becoming more and more important in library sector development. Measuring quality is not only an administrative factor. In-depth quality assessment is also needed for a library to inclusively identify and respond to current and emerging needs of its stakeholders and various user groups. In this context, the paper analyses quality assessment methods used in the University of Namibia (UNAM) Library from 2012 – 2019 with the main focus on the international standardised customer satisfaction LibQUAL+ survey, carried out in 2012 and 2014. The paper provides an analytical assessment of the use of LibQUAL+ at UNAM library, describing challenges, benefits and outcomes of the use of the method. The authors conclude that LibQUAL+ proved to be a very informative tool providing critical information for strategic planning. The use of a scientifically developed standardised tool had the additional advantage that the institution’s management trusted the results. The paper further discusses the practical implications of how the results of LibQUAL+ informed strategic planning and improvement of services, presents an analysis of the reasons for discontinuation the use of LibQUAL+ instrument, and concludes with a brief description of complementary methods that can be used to assess aspects that customer satisfaction-based methods do not cover, namely external quality reviews and benchmarking. The purpose of the paper is to provide an analytical view of challenges and benefits of quality assessment processes in one academic library for the benefit of strategic planning processes in other libraries
Inclusiveness of academic libraries: The case of assistive and adaptive technologies
(2021) Kiana, Lucy; Ujakpa, Martin Mabeifam; Leonard, Anna
This study assessed the state of inclusiveness of academic libraries in Namibia and Ghana by examining the adoption of assistive and adaptive technologies in their spaces and services to cater for users with disabilities. Applying a quantitative design approach, data were collected though face to face interviews from a sample of 12 library staff , 7 lecturers and 9 disabled students. The study found that the state of adoption of assistive and adaptive technologies is poor. Very minimum assistive and adaptive technologies are available in the libraries. Several reasons accounted for the minimum ATs in libraries but most prominent among them is lack of knowledge on ATs. As a result of this, library inclusion in terms of ATs ranged from very poor to fair. Lack of policy and financial constraints were cited as barriers for creating inclusive libraries. The study recommends the formulation and implementation of policies governing libraries to make them more inclusive; provision of adequate funds to academic libraries to enable them to incorporate assistive and adaptive technologies in their spaces and services. This study used a few university libraries from Namibia and Ghana and hence generalizing the result should be done with caution. Future studies should include more libraries including national and community libraries. This study has made a significant contribution in the understanding of the adoption of assistive technologies by academic libraries in providing spaces and services to users with disabilities. The findings and recommendations could also benefit similar academic libraries and further research in developing countries.
Knowledge management practices: The role of Namibian ministerial librarians
(University of Namibia, 2015) Iilonga, Selma
In the information/knowledge society era, the library manages both external and internal knowledge of its host organisation. This can be achieved through the process of collecting relevant information, processing, organising and dissemination to ensure that information/knowledge contents housed in the library are retrievable and accessible to the targeted audience, using various dissemination channels. Librarians ensure that the targeted audiences are equipped with the skills to locate, evaluate, and use available and useful information/knowledge effectively, by providing information literacy training to them. Studies have found the visibility of librarians in the knowledge management environment to be very low and the utilisation of their skills to be minimal. This study investigated the practice of knowledge management by ministerial librarians in Namibia. The study relied on the Bukowitz and Williams Knowledge Management (KM) framework (2000). This framework is appropriate to the study because it consists of different stages (GET, USE, LEARN, CONTRIBUTE, ASSESS, BUILD/SUSTAIN, AND DIVEST) that address the themes of the focus of the study, thus making it relevant to effective and efficient knowledge management in an enterprise such as the government ministries.
The power of information and coping with albinism
(IFLA Journal, 2022) Ngula, Anna Kaukowe
This article aims to ascertain the purposes for which the author needed information when her children with albinism were born, as well as explore the mechanisms she used to find information and the challenges she experienced when searching for information. An autoethnography method is used to share her lived experience of albinism, and the data has been collected through the author’s personal memory by recalling events that happened when she gave birth to her daughter in 2013 and her son in 2016. Information played a crucial role in helping the author to understand albinism better and to deal with her predicament. As a librarian and the mother of children with albinism, the author explored different mechanisms to find information. The Internet was the main source of information, as well as organisations such as Support in Namibia of Albinism Sufferers Requiring Assistance and the Namibia Albino Association Trust, which deal with the plight of people with albinism in the country.
Preservation of audio-visual records at the National Archives of Namibia
(2017) Lukileni, Ndahambelela; Mnjama, Nathan
The study investigated the preservation strategies of audio-visual (AV) records at the National Archives of Namibia (NAN). Data for the study was collected through questionnaires, interviews, observation and a review of documentary sources. The study also found that the legal deposit for AV records has been ineffective because officials responsible for transferring AV records to the National Archives were not aware of the requirement of the Archives and the Namibia Film Commission Acts to transfer records immediately. The study found out that there is no awareness on depositing AV records from the accountable institution, the National Archives of Namibia NAN. The study also found out that the Namibia Film Commission Act, No. 6 of 2000 has not been implemented at all, as there are no audio-visual records from the National Film Commission deposited at the National Archives.The findings also established that there is no single trained AV archivist at NAN, which critically hinders the collection, preservation of records. The study found out that the current legislative arrangements are not relevant to the contemporary needs of audio-visual records preservation and it needs revision. The recommendations arising from the study are that there is a need to amend the Archives Act, No. 12 of 1992, to accommodate the current trends and international standards; develop a national policy and guidelines on audio-visual records; The study recommends for the implementation of training for AV archivists in Namibia; recruitment of staff with expertise in preserving audio-visual archives held at the National Archives
Research data management practices at the University of Namibia: moving towards adoption
(International journal of digital curation (IJDC), 2022) Samupwa, Astrida Njala; Kahn, Michelle
The management of research data in academic institutions is increasing across most disciplines. In Namibia, the requirement to manage research data, making it available for the purposes of sharing, preservation and to support research findings, has not yet been mandated. At the University of Namibia (UNAM) there is no institutional research datamanagement (RDM) culture, yet RDM may nevertheless be practiced among itsresearchers. The extent to which these practices have been adopted is, however, not known.This study investigated the extent of RDM adoption by researchers at UNAM. It identifiescurrent or potential challenges in managing research data, and proposes solutions to someof these challenges that could aid the university as it attempts to encourage the adoption ofRDM practices. The investigation used Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory, witha focus on the innovation-decision process, as a means to establish where UNAM researchers are in the process of adopting RDM practices. The population under study were the UNAM faculty members who conduct research as part of their academic duties.Questionnaires were used to gather quantitative data. The study found that someresearchers practice RDM to some extent out of their own free will, but there are manychallenges that hinder these practices. Overall, though, there is a lack of interest in RDMas the knowledge of the concept among researchers is relatively low. The study found thatmost researchers were at the knowledge stage of the innovation-decision process andrecommended, among other things, that the university puts effort into creating RDMawareness and encouraging data sharing, and that it moves forward with infrastructure andpolicy development so that RDM can be fully adopted by the researchers of the institution
The social information needs of people with albinism: A case study of Khomas region, Namibia.
(Sage, 2022) Ngula, Anna
This paper focuses on the social information needs of people with albinism (PWA) in Khomas region, Namibia, and the sources of information used PWA to meet their information needs. The study applies Moore’s model of social information needs and Wilson’s model of information behaviour to investigate and understand the information needs and sources used by PWA to find information. The study was carried out using a qualitative case design within interpretivism paradigm and semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data from participants. Sixteen participants took part in the study, eight were males, and eight were female participants. Among these participants, two were children with albinism. The following information was identified as being crucial to PWA namely: skin- and eye-related information, information on what is albinism and its causes, disability grants, educational information, and emotional and psychological support. Additionally, the study established that PWA use formal, informal, and human sources of information to find information.
Strong libraries, strong societies: The role of libraries in socio-economic development
(University of Namibia Library, 2015) Mandl, Helen; Lukileni, Ndahambelela H.; Niskala, Ritva
What is a strong library in an African context? How are libraries contributing to improving the fabric of society? How are librarians adapting and changing the services they offer? The first Namibia Library Symposium brought together speakers from across Africa and Europe to discuss these questions. In addition to acknowledging challenges and issues facing libraries in developing or transitioning nations, the speakers highlight the tremendous ability of libraries to change lives. Some of these changes may seem small but each crumb of knowledge can empower individuals and communities, providing opportunities for education, for employment, for establishing a small business and for encouragement. The capacity of libraries to contribute to social and economic growth and provide a strong foundation for a knowledge based society is emphasised in these papers that will inform and inspire the reader.
Strong local archives/ library content: A mirror of society
(University of Namibia, 2015) Namhila, Ellen N.
Africa continues to be depicted in literature as a marginal contributor to world’s knowledge, “silent”, “voiceless”, yet the continent is host to rare and irreplaceable precolonial manuscripts in its Libraries and Archives. The National Archives of Namibia (NAN) houses remarkable and original handwritten work with high cultural, historical and genealogical research value, written before the formal colonization of the country. These manuscripts and records are largely unknown and under-researched and this perpetuates the knowledge gap in the existing scholarly work that contributes to shaping what is known about Namibia and its people. This paper describes pre-colonial writing in Namibia. It urges scholars to utilize these pre-colonial documents, records and manuscripts as valuable research resources for cultural, genealogy and local history.

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