Enabling Technology Driven Library Environment in Sub-Saharan African Universities: a study of the Carnegie Continuing Professional Development Programme experience vis-a-vie the participants work enhancement
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Date
2016-06
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Publisher
IFLA
Abstract
This paper investigated how selected information professionals in the Sub-Saharan African Universities who participated in the Carnegie Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme have become innovative in the use of new emerging technologies for service
delivery. The main objective of the study was to know how participants were making use of the emerging technologies learnt during the Carnegie CPD programme and evaluated the effectiveness of the training programme on participant’s job performance. The target group
for the study was the beneficiaries of the Carnegie CPD Programme from June 2014 to June 2015 held at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Triangulation method of a qualitative research was used. The questionnaire was posted on the CPD Alumni online discussions
group platform for the participant to complete. Data collected was summarized and presented in the form of tables, graphs, charts and statements to depict a clear representation of the responses. The results were analyzed and discussed and logical conclusions were
made. The study found out that the Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills of participants have been evidenced by the application of these skills on their jobs as experienced librarians. However, the demand for ICT and information literacy training by students and faculty have increased due to the exhibit of skills and innovations by CPD 2 participants. The study therefore recommended that for any future CPD programmes that is intensive as the Carnegie CPD programme, participants should be given certificates that will highly be recognised by a university. In addition, librarians should begin to explore and aspire to participate in more CPD programmes to help them become more innovative in service delivery and to avoid becoming obsolete. Heads of Libraries should include in the yearly budget, new technology equipment for use by the libraries. Again, heads of libraries and academic registrars should recommend and approve CPD training programmes for the library staff. Also, financial support should be given by institutions for CPD programmes
for librarians.
Description
This article is published by IFLA, 2016 and is also available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0