Mergers of higher education institutions in South Africa have had a significant impact on the higher education sector. Unfortunately, libraries are not often regarded as a key component in a merger between two institutions. Rather as a result of the merger, libraries have to find how they fit into the broader picture. Very little research has been published in terms of the effects these mergers have had on library catalogues. In this study, the merging of the library catalogues of the Edminson Library at the Edgewood College of Education in Pinetown and the E.G. Malherbe Library of the University of Natal on the Durban campus was researched to determine how these library catalogues were merged and how successful this process was. To meet the objectives of this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the major role-players who were involved in, or affected by this process. Considering that this was the first time that a study of this nature pertaining to the merger of library catalogues was conducted in South Africa, a literature review was conducted to investigate similar studies involving library catalogue mergers. Important themes from the literature were identified. Unpublished material such as minutes of meetings and annual reports formed an integral part of the information gathering process. An analysis of the information collected at the interviews was done through content analysis. The evidence from all these sources finally resulted in conclusions and the lessons learnt throughout the process of the merger. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

The general purpose of the research was to do a comparative study of first level library and/or information science (LIS) qualifications offered at South African universities and technikons. These qualifications included the National Diploma: Library and Information Studies (ND: LIS), the Bachelor of Technology: Library and Information Studies (B.Tech.(LIS)), the Post-graduate Diploma in Library and/or Information Science and the Bachelor of Library and Information Science (B.Bibl.) or equivalent four-year university degree. Self-administered questionnaires were used to survey the views of employers, past students and educators in the LIS field regarding these qualifications and their relevance to the LIS services work environment. Descriptive statistics as well as content analysis were used to analyse the data collected. Discussion of findings based on analysis of data and in the context of related literature, resulted in a number of conclusions. The study supports the view that general education as provided by a university bachelor's degree distinguishes between professional and paraprofessional LIS education and training. The study confirms that the university Post-graduate Diploma in Library and/or Information Science and the B.Bibl. (or equivalent four-year university degree) are established professional LIS qualifications in South Africa. While the technikon ND: LIS is generally viewed as a paraprofessional qualification, LIS services employers are not using this qualification in its paraprofessional context with paraprofessional post designations and career progressions. The technikon B.Tech.(LIS) cannot be viewed as a professional LIS qualification as it lacks general education. Furthermore, it is a qualification in the hierarchy of paraprofessional LIS qualifications that runs parallel to the professional LIS career path and thus the B.Tech.(LIS) is not a step in the direction of LIS professionalism. It is part of an alternative career direction. A further conclusion is that in view of the traditional purpose of technikon education and training vis-a-vis university education and training, limited general education and not extended general education is necessary in the technikon LIS curriculum. The study suggests that the professional LIS body, educators, employers and graduates and diplomates in the LIS field in South Africa have specific roles to play in ensuring understanding that LIS professionalism and paraprofessionalism are alternative or parallel career paths each with its own career progressions and with valuable roles to play in LIS services. However, there should be possibilities for articulation between LIS professionalism and paraprofessionalism at the education and training level. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

This study examined the quality of service provided by the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Library from the perspective of the users of the library. It determined the gaps between users’ expectations and perceptions of service quality and it indicated the level of user satisfaction at the library. The identification of the gaps in the library services and the assessment results can improve service delivery. The intention of the study was to measure the users’ perceptions of the quality of the collections, personal services and facilities. The results will be used for service improvements and to make informed decisions concerning the quality of service that is offered at the MUT Library. The LibQUAL+™ instrument is being used by many libraries all over the world and is currently being used in South African libraries too. It helps librarians assess and improve library services, change organisational structure and market the library. The questionnaire is used to measure the gap between customer expectations for excellence and their perceptions of the actual services delivered by the library. The LibQUAL+™ instrument in this study was modified and simplified to identify these gaps. The instrument consisted of both open-ended and closed questions although the latter predominated. The three dimensions of service quality, that is, access to information, staff service and library facilities formed the core of the instrument. The research method used for this study was the descriptive survey. The population of the study consisted of both undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as academic and administrative staff. All faculties were represented. The stratified proportional sampling method was used and a sample of 1823 respondents were surveyed. Results were analysed using SPSS to determine the frequency of responses. The results are displayed using tables and graphs. The study yielded a return rate of 70.8% for students and 52.9% return rate for staff. An overall response rate of 69.5% was sufficient for data analysis. The results from this study indicate that there is definitely a huge gap between users’ expectations and perceptions of service quality at MUT Library. The extent of the gap varies depending on the individual services. All user categories had higher expectations than perceptions for most library services. The users’ expectations were not in keeping with their actual experiences at the library. Further, the findings of the survey indicated that the most problematic to users were library space, library facilities (for example, printing, photocopying and Internet access) and the inadequate and outdated book collection. Several insights gained from this study showed that users’ expectations were not met and many users had low perceptions of certain library services. The level of satisfaction varied among the different user categories. The staff affirmed that the overall quality of services were good while the majority of students affirmed that their satisfaction with the overall quality of library services was poor. Based on the findings, recommendations are presented to improve service quality and increase the level of user satisfaction at the MUT Library. / Thesis (MIS)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

Mergers of higher education institutions in South Africa have had a significant impact on the higher education sector. Unfortunately, libraries are not often regarded as a key component in a merger between two institutions. Rather as a result of the merger, libraries have to find how they fit into the broader picture. Very little research has been published in terms of the effects these mergers have had on library catalogues. In this study, the merging of the library catalogues of the Edminson Library at the Edgewood College of Education in Pinetown and the E.G. Malherbe Library of the University of Natal on the Durban campus was researched to determine how these library catalogues were merged and how successful this process was. To meet the objectives of this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the major role-players who were involved in, or affected by this process. Considering that this was the first time that a study of this nature pertaining to the merger of library catalogues was conducted in South Africa, a literature review was conducted to investigate similar studies involving library catalogue mergers. Important themes from the literature were identified. Unpublished material such as minutes of meetings and annual reports formed an integral part of the information gathering process. An analysis of the information collected at the interviews was done through content analysis. The evidence from all these sources finally resulted in conclusions and the lessons learnt throughout the process of the merger. It was found that the merging of library catalogues should never be underestimated in terms of complexity and the volume of work involved. The merging of library catalogues involves extensive commitment of senior staff and must be organised to ensure that the service to existing users is not hampered during the procedure. The findings indicated that, while there had been a lack of appropriate management of the merger both employees and management had learnt from, and developed in, the process. The merging of library catalogues seldom occurs more than once in a librarian‟s term of office and therefore it is imperative that managers involved in this process ensure that they do it right the first time. Library catalogue mergers do not necessarily lead to savings, which is contrary to what is sometimes assumed by the initiators of mergers. The lessons learnt and the recommendations made can be used for future library catalogue mergers. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

This study examined the quality of service provided by the Bessie Head Library from the perspective of the adult users of the library. The study assessed the adult users’ perceptions of the quality of service and determined the level of user satisfaction at the Bessie Head Library. The purpose of the study was to identify gaps in the library services and to measure the users’ perceptions of the quality of the collections, staff services and library facilities. The study population consisted of 200 registered adult library users. Of the 200 adults under study, 197 responded to the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 98.5% chosen by means of a convenience sample. The LibQUAL+TM survey instrument that was used in this study was modified and adapted for use in a public library, as the majority of research using the LibQUAL instrument was undertaken in academic libraries. The instrument consisted of both open-ended and closed questions. The three dimensions of service quality, that is, access to information, staff services and library facilities, formed the core of the instrument. An interview schedule was used to elicit background information from the Library Manager and Principal Librarian, on issues of library services, collection development policy, funding and general library issues. The results from the questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS to determine the frequency of responses. These were presented in the form of tables and graphs. The interview results were analyzed qualitatively, using thematic content analysis. The results from this study indicate that there is a gap between users’ expectations and perceptions of service quality at the Bessie Head Library. The extent of the gap varies depending on the individual services. The users’ expectations were not in keeping with the actual experiences at the library, especially with regard to access to information, as users experienced problems with Internet access and the reference collection. The level of satisfaction varied among the different user categories and the findings revealed that the majority of adult users rated the overall quality of services as good and that the library is, to a large extent, excelling in service provision. Based on the findings, recommendations were made to address problems presented in this study. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

The study presents the status of school libraries in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa in the period 1990 to April 1996. The status quo is examined in order to provide a backdrop to the development of an implementation plan for resource provision in the region. This is because access to resources at school level is important for the enrichment of the learning experience and the development of skills needed to access information effectively. It was not easy to obtain data. Several different instruments such as questionnaires, interviews and talks were resorted to, to collect the information required in the study. The study reports on the library and education context in the Province in the period 1990 to April 1996, locating school libraries within both the education arena and the library and information profession. The study reflects on the policy, provision and service of the five former Departments of Education in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. International trends in school libraries and librarianship are also reviewed, particular attention being paid to the provision of school library services in Africa. The international perspective was reviewed to help inform the plan for school library provision in the KwaZulu-Natal region. The study suggests that a school library in each school in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal is not affordable in the near future. It suggests the planning of joint school/public libraries, for resource provision to schools in the region. This joint provision is suggested on the basis of incorporating the school library provisioning section into the Provincial public library system and the removal of the procurement function from the school library advisory service in the Department of Education. An exact plan to enable the above is suggested in the study, prioritising both short-and long-term goals. The study suggests the development of teachers' centres that promote resource-based teaching and learning at school level. It is clear that the exact details of the school/public library partnership have to be clearly mapped out, before the joint project is undertaken, in order to ensure that all stakeholders understand their responsibilities, and that the provision of resources to enhance and optimise the teaching experience needs to interact with the cultural context of the child for the benefits of a library to be fully experienced. The above, will only be possible if a co-ordinated Provincial policy and plan for resource provision are accepted and acted upon; that is, translated into minimum standards for provision. The lack of policy, standards and plan have, in the past, led to ad hoc provision of resources in the Province. The challenge is to convince all stakeholders of the advisability of the above as an interim arrangement in the school sector. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1996.

Abstract available in pdf file.

This study was conducted to determine the predictors of legislators’ acceptance and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the performance of legislative functions in the Nigerian National Assembly (NASS), Abuja, Nigeria. A dominantly positivist paradigm using quantitative and qualitative approaches was used. The survey methodology was used and the questionnaire was distributed to all the 469 federal legislators of NASS. An in-depth interview was conducted on five principal officers of the NASS, namely the Chairs of House Committees on ICT and Education; the Chair of Senate Committee on Communication; Director of ICT; and the Clerk of NASS. The data collected through a survey questionnaire was analyzed using the statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to generate summary and descriptive statistics, Pearson Multiple Correlation, Analysis of Variance, Stepwise Multiple Regression and Path Regression Analysis; while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis and thematic analyses. The theoretical framework used for the study was an extension of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) by Venkatesh, Morris, Davis and Davis (2003). A test-retest reliability method of two weeks interval using Cronbach Alpha was conducted on 24 state legislators. The expected reliability stood at r=0.92, which was adequate for the study. Ethical considerations were taken into account with informed consent forms, approval seeking, permission and confidentiality. The findings showed that culture, academic qualification, attitude, behavioural intention, age and organizational impact were the most important predictors of ICT acceptance and use among legislators in NASS. The findings affirmed the ease of use of ICT of the legislators and suggested that legislators have a positive attitude towards ICT use. The findings showed that the legislators perceived ICT as useful and relevant to legislative work. The ICT usage level by legislators was generally low. The inhibitors of ICT acceptance and use that were found in the present study include: lack of exposure to e-parliament systems and fear of technology manipulation and political alienation. The findings on the relationships between independent and dependent variables (culture, ICT availability, facilitating conditions, effort expectancy, social influence, and performance expectancy) and the dependent variable (ICT acceptance and use) by legislators revealed that culture, facilitating conditions, effort expectancy, social influence and performance expectancy were positively correlated with ICT acceptance and use. ICT availability and performance of legislative functions, behavioural intention and gender were found to be negatively correlated with ICT acceptance and use. The findings of the tested hypothesis showed that independent variables (ICT skills, gender, age and level of education) were positively related. Findings revealed that independent variables (culture, ICT availability, facilitating conditions, effort expectancy, social influence and performance expectancy) jointly contributed 7.1% and 32% to the total variance in behavioural intention and user behaviour (moderator variables), respectively. The findings of the study contribute towards creating awareness of the potentials of ICT to support representative democracy in Nigeria. The study made recommendations that have the potentials to improve policy and practice of e-parliament by recommending the provision of ICT for legislators to fit cultural contexts in Nigeria and theoretical interventions to the model of technology adoption by using culture to extend the UTAUT to better explain the phenomenon in Nigeria. The overall conclusion in this regard was that variables such as trust, security, accessibility, power supply, motivation, ICT policy, often used to extend technology adoption models such as UTAUT in studies in Asia and South America, were not found relevant in the context of legislators in Nigeria. The study recommended the need for ICT change agents from among the legislators to support members to become truly mobile workers. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2014.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of principals and educators of primary school libraries in implementing Outcomes Based Education (OBE) and imparting and enhancing information skills in the Ndengezi Ward, Pinetown District, KwaZulu-Natal, with a view to proposing a set of recommendations based on the findings that would contribute to more effective use of the school library. The study population consisted of 15 principals and 385 educators. The survey instrument used to elicit data was a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to a sample population of 15 principals and 105 educators. The questionnaire sought to establish if principals and educators are aware of the role of the school library in the successful implementation of OBE. A total of 104 responded, 10 principals and 94 educators, indicating a response rate of 89.5%. The results were analyzed in terms of frequency responses and are graphically displayed in the form of tables. The study findings show that the educators used both school libraries and other libraries for their curricula needs. Other libraries were more heavily used than school libraries. In the Ndengezi Ward there are no functional and well-resourced school libraries and this has contributed to their underutilization. Principals experience problems in development and establishment of school libraries. There is a need for training educators in library and information skills and creating awareness amongst principals about the role of the school library in implementing OBE. Recommendations for action and further research, based on the conclusions of the study, are made. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

This research assessed the state of e-government in Swaziland with special reference to government ministries and departments. The goal was to establish the extent to which the Swaziland Government has responded to the challenges and the progress made regarding the priority initiatives pertaining to e-government in the country as outlined in the work of Oyomno and Ramatlhape (2004: 45). To provide an accurate picture of e-government in the country was not an easy task due to the absence of empirical studies conducted on e-government in Swaziland. The study used the survey research strategy. The population of the study was the government ministries and departments which made 23 units of analysis. The techniques for data collection were an interview schedule, an administered questionnaire and a website evaluation form. The data was then analyzed using SPSS version 15.0 for Windows for statistical processing. The research established that the country has developed an appropriate ICT policy. This policy promises a favourable climate that would enhance the development and implementation of e-government in Swaziland. The research also disclosed that the country enjoys the requisite political will necessary to see e-government through. / Thesis (MIS)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.