The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of academic libraries in providing services to culturally diverse student populations. In this study the information needs and information-seeking behaviour of the culturally diverse students of the Technikon Witwatersrand were analysed. The study also tried to establish whether there are differences in information needs and information-seeking behaviour of various cultural groups. The empirical investigation was conducted by means of focus group interviews and a questionnaire survey on a sample of undergraduate students of the Technikon Witwatersrand. There were assumptions that African students have limited experience in using the academic library, have no computer and information handling skills and might have language difficulties. Therefore, the expectation was that African students might have problems in the use of the academic library. However, the results of the empirical study show that English and Afrikaans speaking students are experiencing more problems than African students. / Information Science / M.Inf.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to assess the needs for a Resource Centre (RC) run by Community Connections (CC), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Philippi, Cape Town. The overall objective of the RC is the empowerment of Community Based Organisations (CBOs). Community Connections’ mission is to support community development in South Africa by building the capacity of CBOs to initiate, manage and sustain local empowerment and self help initiatives. Research paradigms for the study were critical theory with its aim of emancipation and an approach that favours transformative action, as well as postmodernism with its appreciation of local contextualised knowledge and value based action. The research problem was addressed through action research and a case study approach. The researcher did an internship at CC between March and November 2008. During this period data was collected through participant observation as well as interviews, namely thirteen semi-structured interviews with CBOs and four additional interviews with practitioners of the NGO and external stakeholders. The study was motivated by an approach to development that aims at transformation to increase social justice and the strengthening of vulnerable and marginalised groups. The transformative potential of development is discussed through an analysis of related concepts such as social capital, participation and empowerment. It was found that discourses and social practices can shape the way people participate and that the environment also influences participation through the availability of space for participation and debate. Empowerment needs the critical consciousness of people and takes place when the inequality in power relations is addressed. Development therefore needs to be people centred, value meaningful participation and aim at inverting existing imbalances in access to assets and resources in society. The review evaluates suggestions for civil society practice that supports a transformative, learning and partnership based approach to development. To address the research question of how an NGO Resource Centre can most effectively contribute to creating empowering linkages between CBOs and other stakeholders, their external relationships were assessed. Relevant stakeholders include CBO funders, NGOs and government departments and institutions. The findings of the research describe those relationships with a focus on the imbalances in power and how they manifest themselves in practice. The relationship between CBOs and Community Connections was assessed as well as the relevance of specific services that the RC would provide. The recommendations focus on how the RC can support the strengthening of CBOs in their specific environment, and how they can be enabled to act upon their environment through access to relevant information, knowledge and capacities. Specific recommendations for the RC focus on the learning in Community Connections through the integration of services, making the NGO more accessible for CBOs through the constant availability of certain services, and further research that can strengthen the work of Community Connections and the empowerment of CBOs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het ten doel gehad om ondersoek in te stel na die vereistes en behoeftes van ʼn Hulpmiddel Sentrum (HS), bedryf deur Community Connections (CC), ʼn nieregeringsorganisasie (NRO) gebaseer in Philippi, Kaapstad. Die oorkoepelende doelwit van die HS is die bemagtiging van gemeenskapsgebaseerde organisasies (GGO‘s). Community Connections se missie is om gemeenskapsontwikkeling in Suid Afrika te ondersteun deur die uitbouing van die vermoë van GGO‘s om plaaslike bemagtiging en self-help inisiatiewe te inisieer, te bestuur en te onderhou. Die navorsingsparadigmas vir die studie was kritiese teorieë met hulle kenmerkende klem op emansipasie en ʼn benadering wat voorkeur gee aan transformatiewe aksie, asook postmodernisme, met waardasie van plaaslik-gekontekstualiseerde kennis en waardegedrewe aksie. Die navorsingprobleem is aangespreek deur aksie-navorsing en ʼn gevalle studie-benadering. Die outeur het ʼn internskap by Community Connections deurloop vanaf Maart tot November 2008. Gedurende hierdie tydperk is data bekom deur deelnemende waarneming asook onderhoude, naamlik dertien semigestruktureerde onderhoude met GGO‘s en vier addisionele onderhoude met praktisyns van die NRO‘s en ander eksterne belanghebbendes. Die studie is gemotiveer deur ʼn benadering tot ontwikkeling wat gerig is op transformasie ten einde sosiale geregtigheid te bevorder en kwesbare en gemarginaliseerde groepe te versterk. Die transformatiewe potensiaal van ontwikkeling word bespreek deur ʼn analise van verwante konsepte soos sosiale kapitaal, deelname en bemagtiging. Daar is bevind dat diskoerse en sosiale praktyke deelname kan beïnvloed en ook dat die omgewing ʼn impak uitoefen op deelname as gevolg van die beskikbaarheid van ruimte vir deelname en debat. Bemagtiging vra vir ʼn kritiese bewussyn by gemeenskappe en vind plaas wanneer die ongelykheid van magsverhoudings aangespreek word. Ontwikkeling moet dus gemeenskapsgesentreerd wees, erkenning gee aan betekenisvolle deelname en daarop gemik wees om die wanbalans in die toegang tot bates en hulpbronne om te keer. Die studie evalueer voorstelle vir gemeenskapsgebruike wat ʼn transformatiewe, kundigheidsvormende en vennootskapsgedrewe benadering tot ontwikkeling ondersteun. In ʼn poging om die navorsingsvraag te beantwoord van hoe ʼn NRO hulpmiddel sentrum optimaal kan bydra tot die daarstelling van brûe tussen GGO‘s en ander belanghebbendes, is hulle eksterne verhoudings geëvalueer. Relevante belanghebbendes sluit GGO-befondsers, NRO‘s en regerings-departemente en instellings in. Die bevindinge van die navorsing beskryf hierdie verhoudings en fokus op die magsongelykhede en hoe hulle in die praktyk beleef word. Die verhoudings tussen GGO‘s en Community Connections is ondersoek asook die toepaslikheid van spesifieke dienste wat die HS sou voorsien. Die aanbevelings fokus op hoe die HS kan bydra tot die versterking van GGO‘s in hulle spesifieke omgewing en op watter wyses hulle bemagtig kan word om ʼn invloed op hulle omgewing te hê deur die toegang tot relevante inligting, kennis en vaardighede. Spesifieke aanbevelings t.o.v. die HS fokus op die opleiding van CC deur die integrasie van dienste, ʼn poging om NRO‘s meer toeganklik te maak vir GGO‘s deur die konstante beskikbaarheid van sekere dienste en verdere navorsing wat die werksaamhede van Community Connections kan versterk en die GGO‘s kan bemagtig.

This study was a user oriented evaluation of the South African Non-government Organizations Network (SANGONeT), a regional electronic information and communication network for development and human rights workers. SANGONeT emphasizes the need for integrating a variety of information related tasks through the use of information and communication technologies (lCT). Its mission is to facilitate the effective and empowering use of ICTs by development and social justice actors in Southern Africa. While SANGONeT is one of the oldest networks for development and human rights sectors in South Africa, no other evaluations of this particular network, from the users' perspective could be traced. The study sought to determine SANGONeT's intended users' perceptions of the network, in terms of their level of awareness and, utilization, accessibility, relevance of the network and its level of facilitation in networking. SANGONeT was evaluated using effectiveness indicators. The respondents were the development and human rights organizations in K waZulu-Natal which subscribed to SANGONeT, or those which use certain services provided by the network as well as those which do not use the network but which are potential users. The SANGONeT subscribers formed only a small proportion of the population. They were all included in the study. A number of potential subscribers who were nonsubscribers were added. According to the findings, the subscribers were satisfied with the services that SANGONeT provides and they do see it as a networking facilitator. The nonsubscribers and the nonusers were not aware of the network's existence or the services it provides. Underutilisation does not result from the problems of accessibility and relevance. Lack of awareness emerged as the main reason for the underutilisation of SANGONeT in KwaZulu-Natal. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations are made for SANGONeT as well as suggestions for further study. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The purpose of the research study was to explore how information is managed, in selected South African government departments, since the South African government is moving into the age of e-government and electronic service delivery. This study has tested and found that the degree to which information and knowledge are captured and used to support good governance depends on whether a strong underlying information management infrastructure is in place. A descriptive literature study was conducted to obtain information and views from available related literature that also served as the theoretical basis for the subsequent argument that the success of e-government depends on good information management, not just establishing an on-line presence. The primary data collection for this study was conducted from government employees, junior, middle and senior management level, employed by various Departments, in the National Offices. The findings indicate that a carefully considered plan and strategy for information management infrastructure development are required that include generating a shared vision for information management, a strong action and wide awareness and support by the key stakeholders. Various conclusions have been reached through this study i.e.: • The creation, use and preservation of electronic records pose special challenges requiring new techniques and tools but based on traditional information management principles and goals. • A learning culture and strong infrastructure of laws, policies, standards, practices, systems and people are required to support information management for both traditional and e-governance needs. • Good recordkeeping is a core component of good governance, especially in an increasingly information and technology-intensive environment. A number of recommendations are made, including suggestions that the South African Government should develop the information management structures within the Departments and identify the barriers to information sharing, and also barriers related to culture and structure.

This dissertation reports on a study undertaken to determine interventions that community libraries can engage in to improve HIV/AIDS awareness. Chapter One describes the background for the study by providing information portraying the background, research problem, aim and objectives -as well as the research methodology to be followed to ensure its successful completion. Chapter Two examines the social role and responsibility of the community library - with reference to HIV/AIDS awareness. International and national sources are used to establish what role the community libraries should play in providing resources for communal benefit. Chapter Three deals with HIV/AIDS awareness interventions currently engaged in by community libraries as well as proposed interventions. A list and description of intervention types is included. This list forms the foundation for the interview guide. Chapter Four describes the interview process. Chapter Five reports on the results of the interviews. Chapter Six provides an integrated summary of the findings from the literature review and those from the interviews in the Bojanala region. Chapter Seven concludes with a summary of recommendations and suggestions for possible further research. Essentially, the study consists of an examination of the social role and responsibility of the community library regarding HIV/AIDS awareness. An international and national literature review of the types of interventions that community libraries can embark upon to promote HIV/AIDS awareness amongst community members of all age groups. An investigation - by means of interviews with librarians/library workers in the Bojanala region - on what interventions are currently undertaken to promote HIV/AIDS awareness among the community of the Bojanala region. Recommendations regarding the types of interventions that community libraries in South Africa may provide to assist in enhancing HIV/AIDS awareness. The literature review identified the social role and responsibility of the community library; interventions currently engaged in by community libraries; and pointed the way for proposed HIV/AIDS awareness interventions that community libraries could embark on as part of their social responsibility role. It was clear from the national and international literature review that the community library - with its years of experience in information acquisition, organisation, dissemination and use - is a natural ally in supporting HIV/AIDS awareness. The aim of this investigation was to determine the social role and responsibility of community libraries in the promotion of HIV/AIDS awareness. The interventions that community library services could embark on to promote HIV/AIDS awareness. The researcher investigated the interventions that the Bojanala region could embark on to comply with the vision of the Department of Social Development (2002:9) ”that both the government and civil society as a whole develop well directed and purposeful programmes to tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic.” This was done through face-to-face interviews with librarians/library workers responsible for managing community projects. Compared with the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in other regions and provinces (Northern Cape and Limpopo) with similar populations, the Bojanala region was identified as a region with a high HIV prevalence rate. The recommendations made by the researcher covered nine sections pertaining to HIV/AIDS interventions, namely: Users Policies HIV/AIDS information resources Collection Development Partnerships HIV/AIDS awareness programmes Interventions Promotion Staff training The recommendations that emerge from the research could be implemented in any community library in any given country with a high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. / Information Science / (M. Tech. (Business Administration))

Text in Afrikaans / Dit is belangrik vir 'n inligtingsdiens wat inligting aan die gemeenskap beskikbaar wil stel, om sekere faktore in ag te neem. 'n Belangrike aspek is of die instansie in staat is om 'n bepaalde diens te lewer wat betref voorraad, fasiliteite en personeel. 'n Vraag wat gevra moet word, is of hierdie diens teen betaling gelewer, of as 'n gratis diens aangebied moet word. 'n Belangrike aspek is die bemarking van dienste wat vroeer nie as deel van 'n ondememing sander winsoogmerke gesien is nie, maar deesdae deel van die bestuursproses uitmaak. Daar behoort ook 'n goeie verstandhouding en 'n vennootskap tussen die inligtingsdiens en die gebruiker in die gemeenskap te bestaan en samewerking tussen die partye behoort op hierdie wyse bewerkstellig te word. Om 'n pro-aktiewe inligtingsdiens aan te hied, is dit belangrik dat kennis geneem word van die inligtingsbehoeftes van die bestuurder in die handel en nywerheid. / Certain factors should be taken into consideration when an information service wishes to provide information to the community. An important matter is whether the institution is able to provide certain services as far as the collection, facilities and personnel are concerned. A question that should also be asked, is whether this should be a fee-based service, or a free service. Another important matter is the marketing of services, which in earlier times did not form part of a non-profit organization, but is nowadays regarded as part of normal management practice. There should also exist a good understanding and a partnership between the information service and the user in the community, and in this way co­ operation between both parties should be established. In order to provide a pro-active information service, it is important to have knowledge of the information needs of the manager in industry and commerce. / Information Science / M.Bibl. (Inligtingkunde)

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie word die rol van interpersoonlike komrnunikasie in die funksionering van die algemene inligtingsdiens van die Unisa Biblioteek aan die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika ondersoek. 'n Kwantitatiewe meetinstrument word ontwikkel om gebruikertevredenheid met die hoofkomponente van die algemene inligtingsdiens, naamlik die inligtingsassistent, die inligting wat deur die klient ontvang word en die fisiese omgewing waarin die diens gelewer word, te evalueer. Daar word bevind dat 'n beduidende assosiasie bestaan tussen gebruikertevredenheid met die inligtingsassistent en gebruikertevredenheid met die inligting wat ontvang word. 'n Verkorte vrae lys word ontwerp en aanbevee 1 as 'n meetinstrument waarmee die bestuur gebruikertevredenheid met die algemene inligtingsdiens op 'n gereelde grondslag kan meet. / This study investigates the role of interpersonal communication in the functioning of the general information service provided by the Unisa Library at the University of South Africa. A quantitative measuring instrument is developed to evaluate user satisfaction with the main components of the general information service, that is the information assistant, the information received by the client and the physical surroundings in which the service is provided. It is found that a significant association exists between user satisfaction with the information assistant and user satisfaction with the information received. A shortened questionnaire is designed and recommended as a measuring instrument with which management can on a regular basis measure user satisfaction with the general information service. / Communication Science / M.A. (Communication)

This dissertation analysed the information needs and information-seeking behaviour of visual artists. An empirical survey was conducted on a sample of the more informationliterate visual artists in South Africa. A model of the information environment of South African visual artists was developed. This model provides a basis for another model which represents the optimal service that should be rendered to meet the needs of this user group. It was found that the general information needs of South African artists are fairly adequately met, but that there are several shortfalls, especially in serving their more complex information needs. The most important problems are the lack of training in the use of information sources and services, inadequate marketing of services and inadequate coverage of South African art. It was also found that greater coordination between service providers is urgently required, especially in the provision of information about South African art. / M. (Information Science)

This dissertation reports on a study undertaken to determine interventions that community libraries can engage in to improve HIV/AIDS awareness. Chapter One describes the background for the study by providing information portraying the background, research problem, aim and objectives -as well as the research methodology to be followed to ensure its successful completion. Chapter Two examines the social role and responsibility of the community library - with reference to HIV/AIDS awareness. International and national sources are used to establish what role the community libraries should play in providing resources for communal benefit. Chapter Three deals with HIV/AIDS awareness interventions currently engaged in by community libraries as well as proposed interventions. A list and description of intervention types is included. This list forms the foundation for the interview guide. Chapter Four describes the interview process. Chapter Five reports on the results of the interviews. Chapter Six provides an integrated summary of the findings from the literature review and those from the interviews in the Bojanala region. Chapter Seven concludes with a summary of recommendations and suggestions for possible further research. Essentially, the study consists of an examination of the social role and responsibility of the community library regarding HIV/AIDS awareness. An international and national literature review of the types of interventions that community libraries can embark upon to promote HIV/AIDS awareness amongst community members of all age groups. An investigation - by means of interviews with librarians/library workers in the Bojanala region - on what interventions are currently undertaken to promote HIV/AIDS awareness among the community of the Bojanala region. Recommendations regarding the types of interventions that community libraries in South Africa may provide to assist in enhancing HIV/AIDS awareness. The literature review identified the social role and responsibility of the community library; interventions currently engaged in by community libraries; and pointed the way for proposed HIV/AIDS awareness interventions that community libraries could embark on as part of their social responsibility role. It was clear from the national and international literature review that the community library - with its years of experience in information acquisition, organisation, dissemination and use - is a natural ally in supporting HIV/AIDS awareness. The aim of this investigation was to determine the social role and responsibility of community libraries in the promotion of HIV/AIDS awareness. The interventions that community library services could embark on to promote HIV/AIDS awareness. The researcher investigated the interventions that the Bojanala region could embark on to comply with the vision of the Department of Social Development (2002:9) ”that both the government and civil society as a whole develop well directed and purposeful programmes to tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic.” This was done through face-to-face interviews with librarians/library workers responsible for managing community projects. Compared with the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in other regions and provinces (Northern Cape and Limpopo) with similar populations, the Bojanala region was identified as a region with a high HIV prevalence rate. The recommendations made by the researcher covered nine sections pertaining to HIV/AIDS interventions, namely: Users Policies HIV/AIDS information resources Collection Development Partnerships HIV/AIDS awareness programmes Interventions Promotion Staff training The recommendations that emerge from the research could be implemented in any community library in any given country with a high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. / Information Science / (M. Tech. (Business Administration))

Text in Afrikaans / Dit is belangrik vir 'n inligtingsdiens wat inligting aan die gemeenskap beskikbaar wil stel, om sekere faktore in ag te neem. 'n Belangrike aspek is of die instansie in staat is om 'n bepaalde diens te lewer wat betref voorraad, fasiliteite en personeel. 'n Vraag wat gevra moet word, is of hierdie diens teen betaling gelewer, of as 'n gratis diens aangebied moet word. 'n Belangrike aspek is die bemarking van dienste wat vroeer nie as deel van 'n ondememing sander winsoogmerke gesien is nie, maar deesdae deel van die bestuursproses uitmaak. Daar behoort ook 'n goeie verstandhouding en 'n vennootskap tussen die inligtingsdiens en die gebruiker in die gemeenskap te bestaan en samewerking tussen die partye behoort op hierdie wyse bewerkstellig te word. Om 'n pro-aktiewe inligtingsdiens aan te hied, is dit belangrik dat kennis geneem word van die inligtingsbehoeftes van die bestuurder in die handel en nywerheid. / Certain factors should be taken into consideration when an information service wishes to provide information to the community. An important matter is whether the institution is able to provide certain services as far as the collection, facilities and personnel are concerned. A question that should also be asked, is whether this should be a fee-based service, or a free service. Another important matter is the marketing of services, which in earlier times did not form part of a non-profit organization, but is nowadays regarded as part of normal management practice. There should also exist a good understanding and a partnership between the information service and the user in the community, and in this way co­ operation between both parties should be established. In order to provide a pro-active information service, it is important to have knowledge of the information needs of the manager in industry and commerce. / Information Science / M.Bibl. (Inligtingkunde)