The study aimed to examine high school student usage of licensed databases available through public libraries in Atlanta-USA. A descriptive quantitative survey was conducted via a web-based questionnaire among 135 East Cobb high school students. The findings revealed that most students are aware of these licensed databases, but their usage is low (1:10) compared to Google. However, as students advance in grade levels, their database usage increases and GALILEO is the most-used licensed resource. Factors that influence student database usage include: specific academic needs; teacher instruction to use specific databases and frequent Digital Information Literacy (DIL) instruction. Most students receive DIL instruction at school, but their DIL skills are still inadequate. To increase usage of licensed databases as reliable information resources, the study recommends collaboration between public libraries and high schools, including incorporation of Generation Y's digital information preferences such as Google-type simplified interfaces, cutting-edge technology and time-saving search features. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)

Public libraries, globally, are adopting the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in order to improve services to the users. ICTs in public libraries are enhancing services to the users by ensuring that services are available to them quickly and efficiently. ICTs in public libraries include computers and their Internet-based facilities, printers, photocopiers, laminators, faxes, telephones, televisions, compact discs, (CDs) and digital video discs (DVDs). This study focussed on the utilisation of ICTs in public libraries at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM). The general aim of the study was to assess the utilisation of ICTs at EMM public libraries by the users. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches through a survey research method were deployed. The study targeted all public libraries at Ekurhuleni and within the libraries; library users and control librarians (librarians in charge of libraries at Ekurhuleni) were targeted. Control librarians participated in the study as key informants. The researcher needed to find out if they would corroborate what users said. There is a total of 43 public libraries at Ekurhuleni and eight were included in this study. These eight libraries were selected through stratified sampling. Out of 24033 registered users at Ekurhuleni libraries, 332 were randomly selected to take part in the study. All eight control librarians of participating libraries were included in the study. The total response rate for the targeted library users was 51% (170). The findings of this study indicate that although ICTs in EMM libraries are highly utilised, staff attitudes, cost of ICTs services, users’ lack of ICTs knowledge and skills, slowness of ICTs and power failure, make it difficult for users to maximise the full benefits offered by ICTs. The study recommended that the cost of ICTs services be reduced, customer care workshops and ICTs training be prioritised for staff, structured ICTs training programmes be developed for library users, users’ access time to Internet be extended, subscription to online databases be prioritised, Internet bandwidth be increased, uninterrupted power supply be installed in libraries and that positions be created for librarians specialising on ICTs. / Information Science / MA (Information Science)

The purpose of this Master thesis is to examine whether the term elasticity is relevant and functional to apply to public library organisations. Another aim of the thesis is to relate the term elasticity to public library organisations in a network society. Sociologist Manuel Castells provide the theoretical framework on the network society. Three investigations (meant to complement each other) in two Swedish public libraries seek to give answers to these questions.To be able to examine which areas of public library activity are elastic, I make a rough definition of what public library organisations consist of – nine activity fields are identified using IFLA’s guidelines in combination with Swedish law of public libraries. I also define elasticity. Three qualities make the term interesting to apply to public libraries: 1) elastic objects (libraries) have an ideal shape, 2) they (libraries) are moulded when pressure is applied from outside, and 3) when pressure applied from outside becomes too intense, elastic objects (libraries) break (or become dysfunctional).The essay undertakes three investigations in Alby public library and Dieselverkstaden public library in Nacka (both in Stockholm). In the first investigation two aspects of elasticity (in relation to public libraries) are examined: One aspect regards how elasticity is expressed in two texts that govern public libraries in Sweden – Swedish law and IFLA’s guidelines for public library activity. Is elasticity intrinsic in these norms and in what way? Secondly a comparison is made between how elasticity is expressed in these normative texts and the actual situations in two public libraries, in which way they are elastic, and what discrepancies there are between texts and scenarios from practice. I study the library – its collections, public activities, documents and rules and regulations regarding loans.In the second investigation I aim to find out how the visitors of public libraries shape the library, how they perform pressure on it. Short survey-like interviews are completed with twenty visitors at the two libraries.The third investigation consists of interviews with two members of the staff at each library. These interviews assist me in the process of developing thoughts regarding elastic libraries in a network society.Results show that the term elasticity is relevant but evasive. It becomes clear that studying IFLA’s guidelines and Swedish library law will not answer the question where the elasticity of the activity fields end. That limit seems to become evident only when examining libraries in practice. I find that five activity fields can be called elastic (in practice): the collections, the librarians, to give access to information and ICT, the library room and environment and management.Results also show that qualities that signify the network society combined with political changes, affect the way public libraries are perceived and opinions of how they ought to be managed. This is what I consider to be pressure on a global level. I also find that this pressure is difficult to measure.

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.

Made available in DSpace on 2009-11-18T18:50:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tnunes.pdf: 4794457 bytes, checksum: 0a22802202e6401d3a7796d574fc6779 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / The National Water Management Policy was defined by Law 9.433/97 (Water Act), establishing the hydrographic basin as the management unity, independently of geographic limits and respective federal organisms. Nevertheless, water management entities and instruments are directly associated to different federal entities located within the same basin, and depend on them for being effective. The absence of law mechanisms that conciliate the various requisitions of federal organisms located in the same basin is a challenge still without brazilian law support. This study describes the integration process of information systems in Paraíba do Sul river basin. It also emphasizes integration restrictions of these systems, the cooperation level and the instruments used by the various actors and federal organisms in order to meet National Water Management Policy objectives. The management instrument Water Management Information System is presented as an important component that helps the stakeholders decision making process involved in water management, respecting federalism and the water domains defined in the brazilian constitution, and according to the policy established in the Water Act. In theoretical aspects, this work presents the basic concepts of National Water Management Policy institutional arrangement, considering the network aspects in public policy, the limits imposed by federalism and the way that the water domains is defined in the brazilian constitution and according to the brazilian Water Act. Besides, it identifies the most significant questions related with information systems implementation in public administration and water management. It also illustrates how cooperative federalism and information systems may create conditions that do guarantee the National Water Management Policy management instruments operationality within a hydrographic basin. The action research method was used to develop the research and the selected entity was the Fundação Superintendência Estadual de Rios e Lagoas (Serla). Serla was the water management entity in Rio de Janeiro state, at the research beginning. Others methods as bibliographic and documentary research were also used, aiming to describe the hydrographic basin, as well as the processes and systems concerned with the implementation of the National Water Management Policy in Paraíba do Sul basin. / A Política Nacional de Recursos Hídricos definida na Lei 9.433/97 determina que a unidade de gestão seja a bacia hidrográfica, que independe da divisão geográfica e dos respectivos entes federativos. Entretanto, entidades e instrumentos de gestão de recursos hídricos estão diretamente subordinados aos entes federativos que se encontram em uma mesma bacia e dependem deles para sua efetivação. A falta de mecanismos definidos em lei que compatibilizem a diversidade de requisições dos entes federativos em uma mesma bacia hidrográfica é um desafio sem um caminho determinado. O estudo descreve como se deu o processo de integração dos sistemas de informação da bacia do rio Paraíba do Sul. Evidenciam-se limitações na integração dos sistemas, o nível de cooperação e os instrumentos utilizados entre os diversos atores e entes federativos para atingir os objetivos da PNRH. O instrumento de gestão Sistema de Informações de Recursos Hídricos apresenta-se como um componente importante para embasar a tomada de decisão pelos atores envolvidos na gestão de recursos hídricos, respeitando o federalismo e a dominialidade das águas da Constituição de 1988, e dentro da política estabelecida pela Lei das Águas. Nos aspectos teóricos são apresentados os conceitos que fundamentam a configuração do arranjo institucional da Política Nacional de Recursos Hídricos, sob os aspectos de redes em política pública, dos limites impostos pelo federalismo e pela maneira como a dominialidade das águas é definida na constituição de 1988 e dentro do contexto da Lei 9.433/97. Além disso, identificam-se as questões principais que envolvem a implementação de sistemas de informação dentro da administração pública e na gestão de recursos hídricos. O trabalho exemplifica como o federalismo cooperativo e os sistemas de informação criam as condições que garantem a operacionalização dos instrumentos de gestão da Política Nacional de Recursos Hídricos dentro de uma bacia hidrográfica. Aplicou-se o método de pesquisa-ação e a organização selecionada foi a Fundação Superintendência Estadual de Rios e Lagoas, o órgão gestor de recursos hídricos do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, no início da pesquisa. Outros métodos empregados incluem pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, de forma a descrever a bacia e os processos e sistemas pertinentes à implementação da Política Nacional de Recursos Hídricos na bacia do rio Paraíba do Sul.

Effective management of electronic records (MER) facilitates implementation of e- government. While studies have been carried out on management of records in Kenya, none of these studies has focused on MER in support of e-government implementation in Kenya. To address the knowledge gap, the current study sought to establish the current state regarding MER in support of e-government in Kenya. The study investigated how MER supported e-government in Kenya with a view to develop a best-practice framework for MER in support of e-government. The specific objectives of the study were to: ascertain current status of MER in government ministries in Kenya; determine the current level of e-government utilization; establish the effectiveness of existing practices for MER in supporting e-government; identify challenges faced by ministries in MER that could impact on implementation of e- government; propose recommendations that could improve MER in ministries to support e-government effectiveness and develop a framework for MER in support of e-government. The theoretical framework was the European Commission’s (2001) Model Requirements for Electronic Records Management (MoReq) and the United Nation’s (2001) five-stage e-government maturity model. The study was anchored on the interpretive research paradigm and adopted qualitative research methodology using phenomenological design. The study sample consisted of 52 respondents drawn from eighteen government ministries, the Kenya ICT Authority (ICTA), the Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service (KNADS) and five e- government service areas. Maximum variation sampling technique was used. Data was collected through face-face interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings established that: the general status of MER in government ministries is inadequately positioned to support e-government; utilization of e-government in Kenya had grown significantly and more ministries were adopting e-government services; although some initiatives have been undertaken to enhance MER, the existing practices for MER require improvement to ensure they adequately support e-government; there exists several challenges in the MER that impact on implementation of e-government. The study concluded that the current practices for managing electronic records in support of e-government implementation were not adequate. Recommendations and a best-practise framework for managing electronic records in support of e-government have been provided. Suggestions for further research are provided. / Information Science / D. Litt. et. Phil. (Information Science)

The study aimed to examine high school student usage of licensed databases available through public libraries in Atlanta-USA. A descriptive quantitative survey was conducted via a web-based questionnaire among 135 East Cobb high school students. The findings revealed that most students are aware of these licensed databases, but their usage is low (1:10) compared to Google. However, as students advance in grade levels, their database usage increases and GALILEO is the most-used licensed resource. Factors that influence student database usage include: specific academic needs; teacher instruction to use specific databases and frequent Digital Information Literacy (DIL) instruction. Most students receive DIL instruction at school, but their DIL skills are still inadequate. To increase usage of licensed databases as reliable information resources, the study recommends collaboration between public libraries and high schools, including incorporation of Generation Y's digital information preferences such as Google-type simplified interfaces, cutting-edge technology and time-saving search features. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)

Les objets, les supports, les sources, la gouvernance, les contenus, les acteurs, les fins et les formes de la transparence publique connaissent à présent une évolution rapide et profonde, qui dépasse les frontières nationales et dépend de l’interaction entre facteurs politiques, technologiques, juridiques et socio-culturels. Cela s’avère notamment lorsque la transparence se prévaut des moyens du paradigme de l’"Open Government Data" et s’inscrit dans les perspectives de la doctrine de l’"Open Government".Ce travail de recherche vise à esquisser les mutations et les axes de progrès de la transparence publique, à l’aune de l’évolution des systèmes juridiques italien et français. On se penchera à titre liminaire sur l’articulation entre les notions de transparence et d’ouverture, afin de cerner les questions juridiques soulevées par l’ouverture des données publiques à des fins de transparence. Ensuite, on parcourra le niveau supranational, à la fois un forum et un lieu d’élaboration des orientations fondamentales en la matière. Une place de choix sera réservée au droit (et à la politique) de l’Union Européenne, dont on examinera les développements les plus récents. Enfin, on analysera les ordres juridiques susmentionnés, qui font à l’heure actuelle de la refonte du droit à l’information publique l’un des chantiers majeurs, dans le cadre de partenariats multi-parties prenantes tels que l’"Open Government Partnership". / Objects, medium, sources, governance, content, actors, purposes and forms of public transparency are experiencing a rapid and profound evolution, which transcends national borders, and depends on the interaction between political, technological, legal and socio-cultural drivers. This happens when transparency exploiting the Open Government Data means and falls under the Open Government framework.Through the Italian and French legal systems, this thesis aims to highlight the recent advancements in public transparency. At first, we will look at the interplay between the concepts of transparency and openness, to identify the legal issues raised by the disclosure of public data. Subsequently, we will turn to the supranational context, which plays a key role in developing guidelines, standards and recommendations. A special place will be reserved to the right (and political) of the European Union. In the second part, we will analyse the above-mentioned legal systems, which are actively engaged in the wider reform of their Public Information Acts, within the framework of multi-stakeholder initiatives, such as the Open Government Partnership.On the whole, we will see how the shift from “transparency through documents” ” to “transparency through data” challenges the public action models.

Cette étude sur les projets open data dans les collectivités locales vise à associer, dans une approche globale, les modes de production et de collecte de données, les méthodes de diffusion et les dispositifs utilisés, et enfin les modèles d’usage des données publiques numériques. Partant de l’hypothèse que l’open data donne lieu à une nouvelle distribution des rôles des acteurs impliqués tout au long du processus d’ouverture, nous avons distingué un positionnement dynamique des acteurs qui ne se limite pas à une étape du processus d’ouverture des données - que ce soit de réflexion, production, de diffusion, de promotion ou d’usage - ce qui crée un système mixte d’open data. L’étude du système d’offre des collectivités nous a amené à considérer son adéquation avec les besoins des utilisateurs. Nous avons montré que malgré les efforts de créer un système multi-acteur, la mise en oeuvre de l’identification et de la collecte des données est éclectique et instable et ne construit pas un processus solide de l’Open data. Malgré l’urgence suggérée par le contexte politique et sociétal, l’ouverture et le choix des données sont généralement déterminés par des considérations pragmatiques qui imposent une ouverture lente mais progressive sans prétendre à l’exhaustivité.Il s’agit aussi d’examiner les plateformes open data considérées comme des « dispositifs socio-techniques » émergeants du web social dans leurs aspects de médiations, partage, collaboration et de coproduction de données. Dans ce cadre, nos observations nous permettent de mettre en exergue, de questionner et d’analyser les plateformes open data dont leur architecture principale nous amènent à les qualifier «dispositifs socio-techniques ». Ils sont des outils sociaux car ils donnent lieu à des formes d’action. Autour d’un catalogue de jeux de données, il subsiste des espaces virtuels, des blogs, des forums d’interactions entre les producteurs et les réutilisateurs des données ouvertes. / The main purpose of this survey is to explore the process of implementation of open data projects at the local level. The main challenge in realization of any open data project is the engagement of different stakeholders. In this respect, we distinguish a dynamic positioning of stakeholders not limited to one stage of the process - whether during the first phase of reflections before launching the project, the data production, dissemination, promotion or use - creating a mixed system of open data. The study of data offer on open data platforms led us to consider its appropriateness to the needs of users. We have shown that despite the efforts to create a multi-player system, the implementation, identification and data collection is eclectic and unstable and not building a solid process of Open Data. Despite the urgency suggested by the political and societal context, openness and choice of data are generally determined by pragmatic considerations that impose a slow but gradual opening without claiming to be exhaustive. By analyzing open data platforms, this leads us to qualify them as "socio-technical tools" emerging from the social web in their aspects of mediation, sharing, collaboration and co-production data. They are social tools because they give rise to forms of action. Around a catalog of data sets, there are still virtual spaces, blogs, forums of interaction between producers and re-users of open data.

The aim of the following thesis reflects current trends in public sector accounting and subsequent audit of public sector entities's financial statements. The main principles of accounting are desribed in order to determine how the financial statements are used during controls and audits. In this context the Supreme Audit Institution is introduced as an independant institution practicing external audit in public sector. For this purpose the SAI's control reports reflected the financial audit of the selected public sector entities will be analyzed.