Includes bibliographical references. / This thesis proposes that the foundations of the library catalogue are not rooted in a coherent, encompassing and comprehensive theoretical structure. Instead, it shows that it rests upon a number of principles that evolved during the nineteenth century from the work done by cataloguing experts such as Panizzi, Jewett and Cutter. These principles are shown to be either principles of access or of bibliographical description, and they still form the basis for the construction of modern catalogues according to the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd edition (AACR2). The South African National Bibliography (SANB) is then used as an example of an actual catalogue constructed according to the AACR2. A study is conducted of the cataloguing records in the SANB in order to establish how these Rules are put into practice, and how usable a catalogue may be produced according to these Rules and principles. It is concluded that the SANB is a high quality catalogue according to the standards set by the AACR2, but that such a catalogue may not be optimally useful from the point of view of the user. Certain ideas from Artificial Intelligence are then employed to find out to what extent a user is able to utilize the library catalogue as a channel of communication in order to gain maximum benefit from the information available in the catalogue. It is found that the user is indeed not equipped to make full use of the catalogue, and it is suggested that the potential for increased access facilities brought (v) about by computer technology may be employed to bridge the communication gap between the user and the cataloguer. The thesis therefore concludes that the established principles according to which catalogues are constructed, are inadequate for the formulation of a comprehensive theory of cataloguing, but a search for such a theory is shown to be ultimately inappropriate. Cataloguing is essentially a problem-solving pursuit which aims at the production of a tangible object; a usable catalogue. Modern computer technology has brought the library catalogue to a crossroads in its development, and a detailed study of user needs will have to form the basis for the development of additional principles according to which the new technology will most successfully be applied to library catalogues.

Summary in English. / Bibliography: pages 185-195. / The investigation into personal indexing systems consists of (a) a study of the literature and (b) an empirical survey of the indexing needs of academics in the Western Cape. The literature study was used, inter alia, to determine certain ''characteristics" of personal indexing systems. Characteristics are defined as those features of personal indexing systems that are generally agreed upon by most authors and users as mandatory to ensure effective utilisation of such systems. These characteristics are later employed to derive models of personal indexing systems that may have practical applications for academics. The empirical study provides conclusive proof that dissatisfaction with the academic library is not a reason for setting up a personal indexing system and that academics have a need for professional help when they start their own indexing system. Journal articles are of utmost importance in all document collections, but books, conference papers, theses and clippings are also important. The number of documents contained in such systems vary between 200 and 48 800 with an average of 2 492,76. According to Soper scientists tend to keep their documents at the workplace while humanists tend to keep their documents at home. Social scientists fall between these groups and keep some of their documents at the workplace and some at home. For scientists and social scientists Soper's observations were confirmed. Lack of data made it impossible to come to any conclusion in the case of humanists. The main difference between large indexing systems and personal indexing systems is the number of records. The smaller system can be simpler, but it was not possible, with the data available, to state conclusively that a thesaurus is not necessary. Although the advantages of computerised systems were indicated it is acknowledged that many academics would prefer a manual system. An index on a computer should provide for variable length fields. The researcher comes to the conclusion that a combination of a classification system and free search terms would be the most effective method to use in subject searches. He suggests that the main classes of the Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme may be used as an outline and that for his specialised field of study the user should devise his own scheme.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 171-187). / Library and information science professionals are increasingly taking a keen interest in gaining a better understanding of how university's students are making use of the electronic information services (EIS) in academic libraries. This study investigated the use of EIS by undergraduate nursing students at the University of Namibia's (UNAM) Northern Campus. The study has specifically examined the extent to which these students used EIS, the purposes for which they used EIS, the barriers they encountered in their use of EIS, the benefits they feel they gain from using EIS, the sources they use to acquire EIS skills, and their perceptions of EIS.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-125). / This dissertation focuses on a knowledge audit that was conducted in a research organisation (PLAAS) at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa. A knowledge and information audit provides a framework that examines the ways in which an organisation handles and leverages its knowledge and information assets. The audit examines ways an organisation creates, generates, disseminates, stores and shares its knowledge and information resources. In the process, the gaps, sinks, and duplications are revealed; providing useful information that can support decision making and knowledge management initiatives to enhance organisational productivity and effectiveness. This relates specifically to developing relevant information and knowledge strategies, to understanding an organisation's knowledge and information needs and aligning these with the right tools that will facilitate efficiency in an organisation's core engagements. This knowledge and information audit was exploratory in nature and sought to understand the current information and knowledge environment of the organisation. It was anticipated that the results would augment and feed into the current reflections of the organisation on how to leverage its knowledge and information assets and improve efficiency and remain competitive in the market place. The audit was carried out at PLAAS, a research unit that produces considerable research output based on the empirical studies that the staff conducts. The organisation, in addition, is actively involved in forums that debate and engage with various players in the land and agrarian sector in South Africa. These engagements are at a level where they influence policy matters related to land and agrarian matters in the new South Africa. This audit sought to examine what information and knowledge supports core engagements of the staff, what information and knowledge they use, where they find it and in the process establish the gaps, and challenges staff face as they carry out their core research duties. The audit adopted a qualitative approach to research, where interviews were the primary source of data collection. An interview guide was developed to facilitate the data collection and twelve (12) interviews were conducted. The themes, recurring items, and unique views that emerged guided the analysis. Recommendations to improve the current knowledge and information environment took the form of a 'Road Map for Knowledge Management' that the organisation can adopt to enhance the current operating system. The knowledge and information audit showed that the organisation is very knowledge-oriented and extensively engaged in knowledge work even though this is not explicitly referred to as 'Knowledge Management'. Many shortcomings were identified with regard to the knowledge and information system that is currently in place and these specifically relate to: the organisational structure, organisational memory, organisational technology infrastructure, infrastructure, knowledge sharing activities, and the organisational culture. The results suggested that the organisation needs to strengthen aspects in these areas in order to remain efficient and support the staff in their daily work activities. The outcomes further suggest that knowledge audit methodologies (as an area of knowledge management) need to develop and be standardized and that more research needs to be conducted in this field of knowledge management.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 84-98). / The origins and development of information literacy education at the University of Cape Town are explored. The focal research question is based on investigations into the extent in which the academic staff, librarians and students of the University of Cape Town (UCT) are prepared for or engaged in recognizing information literacy. Are the academic staff, librarians and students of UCT really aware of the information literacy agenda? Quantitative research methods are used to supplement qualitative research methods in this study. Samples were drawn from 621 academics, 64 librarians, and 19978 students - the total numbers of subjects of the study in 2003 when the fieldwork was conducted. The significant changes in the South African education system in the postapartheid era are discussed. International information literacy programs are discussed and the Griffith University information literacy blueprint is adopted as a standard for comparison. Further studies are suggested on the investigation of information literacy policies. The research results suggest that a high standard of information literacy exists at the University of Cape Town.

Academic libraries are challenged to meet the demands of patrons as expectations shift towards remote access to library services. In Africa, such challenges are exacerbated by the legacy of the digital divide. In this post-apartheid period South Africa has acknowledged the presence of a multifaceted digital divide, and that the inequalities established in the past have not yet been resolved. Therefore, academic libraries could be of great value in playing emancipatory roles through the provision of technologies and other resources that enable access to information by marginalised communities. The aim of the study is to evaluate the electronic services provided by UWC academic library to Master's Students and determine if efforts made to bridge the digital divide are perceived by users as effective, through investigating use of internet-connected infrastructure, skills development programmes established to promote adequate use of the e-services, and identification of challenges experienced by users as they interact with e-services. The study employed a qualitative research method, grounded in phenomenological design and supported by Critical Theory. Data was collected from two samples drawn using purposive sampling from the target population of Master's students and librarians. Data collection from students was facilitated through an online survey and six librarians were interviewed. Main themes that guided the dialogue during data collection emanated from reviewed literature. The study concludes that UWC library has emerged as a competent agent of democracy, having implemented several projects to support marginalised academic students in accessing information. The library has provided ICTs, bandwidth and skills development programmes to support students. However, the challenges encountered are diverse, and income imbalances among communities still prevail, indicating that projects and programmes established by university libraries to bridge the divide need to be ongoing and sustainable since the phenomenon cannot be exterminated.

School libraries were designed to provide equitable access to reading and research materials for all students. Over the past few decades, staffing of school libraries has become a controversial topic as school leaders opt to eliminate school librarians due to budget constraints. Consequently, there is staffing variability in school libraries. Research indicates that a school librarian is a critical component of a successful school library program. Despite this, some schools with staffing variability in the school library are finding ways to implement an effective school library media program. This research study examined effective school library pedagogical practices in elementary school libraries where there was staffing variability. The study took place in a large urban school district and sought to understand the role of the school library in a school's comprehensive literacy program. Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach data were collected during two phases. During the first phase of the study, 30 participants responded to survey questions that consisted of seven construct variables which are indicators of an effective library media program. During the second phase of the study, ten participants engaged in semi-structured interviews that consisted of questions following an Appreciative Inquiry approach. This approach allowed the researcher to identify what is working well within the district. Several barriers to the implementation of an effective school library program also surfaced. The analysis of the data revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in how school principals and library staff responded to the survey questions. Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference in how participants from Title I schools responded when compared to participants from non-Title I schools. Survey data was analyzed to identify effective pedagogical practices in elementary school libraries. Thematic analysis of interview data expounded on those effective practices in elementary school libraries. This study provides guidance for district leaders and school principals seeking to implement an effective school library program and insight into how the library program can contribute to the school's comprehensive literacy program. The findings can guide future research on effective school library pedagogical practices in the field of public education and school libraries.

This study used an interpretive paradigm and a qualitative research approach to investigate the legal research lifecycle process used by legal academics at three institutions within the Western Cape, South Africa in order to ascertain academic law library research support services that would be able to support legal scholars using such a process. In order to do so, the researcher used four critical questions to guide the study which investigated the research lifecycle process used by legal scholars; existing and possible law library research support services discussed in the literature; current law library research support services in the Western Cape being offered to support legal scholars; and, the knowledge and skills required by law librarians to support legal research processes. A multiple case study method was used, with Stellenbosch University, the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape as research sites. Purposive sampling of legal scholars and law librarians at three institutions was adopted. Data was gathered mainly through the administration of semistructured interviews with both the legal scholars and the law librarians, as well as via the literature for some aspects of the study. A conceptual framework, which used two conceptual models, namely, the research process lifecycle model and the Reference and User Services framework for LIS services, guided the theoretical aspect of the study. The researcher found that legal scholars favour the doctrinal approach to research, which still consists of the same stages involved in the research process model, but does not distinguish as clearly between the stages. A novel aspect of this study was the exploration of what constitutes legal data and it was found that it consists of literature, including cases and legislation. Law libraries should therefore be able to adapt their ‘data services' to this concept of legal data in order to better support legal scholars. A broad range of research support services were identified within the literature, but the study showed that law libraries in the Western Cape still rely on the ‘traditional' library services, for example, reference services and collection development. The study revealed that newer services, such as bibliometrics and research data services, could have applicability, although law librarians would need to adapt such services to the legal context. A disconnect between legal scholars and the law libraries that serviced them was seen in terms of awareness of library services, and therefore this study recommends that a targeted marketing approach as well as other relevant interventions be put in place in order to bridge this gap. Other recommendations include further study into how to ground new library research support services (such as research impact services or research data management services) in a legal context; as well as further study into the extent to which subject knowledge and/or a subject qualification is required to practice as a law librarian.

No description available.

This study investigated Taiwanese students' information search regarding their application choices for business Master's degees in Taiwan). Taiwanese students studying) in Taiwan and Taiwanese students studying in the UK in this study were used to contrast the similarities and differences between the information search of home-based and international students. In the literature review, previous studies on information search were discussed, and a conceptual framework was presented to indicate the stages of students' decision-making and possible external information sources that students might use. As the majority of research was conducted amongst Western English-speaking home-based students, the importance of investigating how information sources could be used differently by Taiwanese applicants was emphasised. The study employed qualitative data collection of focus group discussions, observations and interviews to investigate how participants used information sources to find the information they needed in making Master's choices. Different types of universities in Taiwan and in the UK were sampled to explore students' choice criteria. Template Analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings suggested that the TW group had more internal information which reduced the level of their external search. On the other hand, the UK group as international students needed more external information as a result of lacking internal information. This study also found Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) and educational agents were influential to Taiwanese participants' Master's decision-making. Also, middle range universities are often selected by the UK group, while parental influences were limited to both the TW and the UK group. As current students and alumni were found in this study to be particularly influential regarding applicants' Master's choices, higher education institutions (HEI) should also look after current students when trying to market courses to potential students.