Thesis (D.Phil.(Information Science))-University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 228-254).

The study investigates the preservation of, and access to, legal deposit materials in South Africa. The rapid development of technology has led to an increase in electronic publications as well as no considerable decrease in the production of printed materials making legal deposit a multifaceted and dynamic area of research. The primary purpose of legal deposit collections is to provide access to materials, both those published recently and produced years ago; these materials are deposited and need to be properly preserved for future generations. The specific objectives of the study were to, examine the activities and strategies in place to preserve materials while being used as well as the accessibility of these documents to the South African population. This study builds on and extends the candidate's investigation carried out in her master‘s thesis in 2007, about how legal deposit materials are kept and preserved. The highlight of the study includes identifying systems that assist with the collection of print and electronic documents. The means and processes to help make both print and electronic documents accessible in the long run are also identified. In addition, the study examines the challenges faced by legal deposit staff including their skills and knowledge in preservation management. The National Library of South Africa (NLSA), Mangaung Library Services, Msunduzi Municipal Library, Constitutional Court Library, R J R Masiea Public Library (Phuthaditjhaba) and North West Provincial Library Services were the units of analysis in this study. The study population included members of the Legal Deposit Committee, the heads of the libraries and departmental heads of legal deposit sections of each library. The whole population was in each case studied. Methodological triangulation was used to look at the problem from different angles using different tools in order to get a more accurate result. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods, using self-administered questionnaires and interview schedules to collect data. A response rate of 78.6% was achieved for the questionnaire and results were analysed using SPSS. The qualitative method of conceptual content analysis was used to analyse the open-ended questions for the interview schedule. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise data in graphs, tables and pie charts. The major research findings indicate that preservation is not carried out properly at present due to the combined lack of preservation policies, funding, staff training and expertise. Most of the legal deposit libraries do not have preservation policies to improve preservation conditions, develop conservation facilities or to train and recruit staff. Furthermore the study concludes that various critical issues surrounding and affecting all facets of legal deposit stem from a lack of policy. Recommendations based on the findings and conclusions are made and the study establishes that effective implementation, preservation and access of legal deposit are dependent largely on many factors. The most important of these are a proper legislative framework that provides a firm foundation for legal deposit, adequate funding as well as skills and knowledge in preservation management. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 309-323). Also available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations.

The study investigated preservation of, and access to, legal deposit materials at the Msunduzi Municipal Library. Constant access to legal deposit materials will depend on proper preservation methods from the time they are first produced. The focus was to identify how the different materials are preserved and stored, especially because every institution has unique needs, especially with regard to the climatic conditions of the area. The study also examined challenges faced by the depository, skills and knowledge of the depository staff about preventative preservation methods, resources for conservation and collection management strategies. The methods to help make materials accessible were established by examining the means and processes used. Methodological triangulation was used to look at the study in different ways and this included a questionnaire, interviews, observation and collection of graphic data. The units of analysis were the staff of the legal deposit department and the whole population was surveyed. In this study, quantitative and qualitative techniques were employed. The results of the self-administered question and observation schedule were analysed using SPSS. Data collected using the interview schedule was analysed qualitatively. The results of the study show that there are inadequate preservation activities and strategies for legal deposit materials at the Msunduzi Municipal Library. The legal deposit collection was at risk of being lost and inaccessible to present and future generations. This was mostly due to lack of preservation activities and strategies as a result of lack of knowledge in preservation, adequate funding, staff training, preservation policies, environmental control of stack rooms and the proper handling and storage of materials. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Legal deposit and its sustainability is a major problem that cannot be ignored in South Africa. The value of preserving and making accessible information is of primary importance for legal deposit collections. The concept of legal deposit is evolving from decade to decade as many factors continue to influence it. Among the challenges facing legal deposit libraries is the problem of publishers failing to comply with legal deposit requirements. This study investigated the problems and constraints experienced by publishers in KwaZulu- Natal concerning legal deposit. Thirty five publishers were surveyed by means of a selfadministered questionnaire which utilized both open and closed questions. The results of the study reveal that while the vast majority of publishers in KwaZulu-Natal are compliant with legal deposit requirements, they do experience a number of problems while doing so. These problems include financial costs and time constraints while a lack of knowledge about certain aspects of legal deposit on the part of the publishers was evident. Recommendations, which would require participation from all the stakeholders, to address the problems identified were made. The study concluded with suggestions for further research. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.