Wits Library Staff Publications
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/3907
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Item The InfoLit Portal: a New Enhancement for Teaching & Learning(2006-09) Muswazi, PaikiThis is a symposium paper that describes the objectives and components of the InfoLit portal especially WIST and Subject Portals at the University of the Witwatersrand.Item Modernization of library and information services in higher education in Swaziland: strategic interventions, 2000/1-2005/6(Sage Publications, 2007) Muswazi, Paiki; Yumba, DicksonThis is a discussion of the implementation of the UNISWA strategic plan 2000/2001 – 2005/2006. The goal of the article is to assess the impact of the information technology, policies and procedures, collaboration, funding, management, human resources development, preservation, marketing and information service delivery strategies on the modernization of LIS. It is argued that UNISWA effected considerable staff re-skilling and made some progress towards widening access to quality subscription based electronic resources and optimizing on the utilization of open access materials. Implementation was negatively influenced by low funding, limited local content on the web, inadequate information and communication technology infrastructure, scarce professional skills, and restrictive policies and procedures. It concludes that further work revolving around the above factors, taking into account user needs for independent life long learning, is the key to deepening the modernization of LIS at UNISWA.Item Freedom of information: in search of a niche for the library profession in Swaziland(Sage Publications, 1999-01) Muswazi, PaikiThe primary objective of the article is to assess the effect of censorship on collection development and librarianship as well as to ascertain future prospects in Swaziland. It is based on Swaziland legal documents. It is argued that (i) historically censorship is institutionalized through a range of legal instruments and seeks to maintain acceptable standards of morality and political stability, (ii) while the library profession's response is lukewarm, the Internet and the changed Southern African political conditions are conducive to the promotion of intellectual freedom. It concludes that awareness raising is the key to desensitizing the hitherto controversial materials and themes and giving access to all points of view without prejudice.Item Library and information services (LIS) strategic planning in a developing country: a case study(Harworth Press, 2002) Muswazi, PaikiThe article discusses a strategic planning initiative at the University of Swaziland Libraries. It describes the steps followed and the consultation and communication techniques used and notes the limited progress made in implementing the plan and the underlying reasons. It also critiques the reactive nature of the planning process; lack of representation of the faculty of Health Sciences and students; staff turnover; multifaceted objectives; concurrent development of management systems and the implementation process; and inadequate funding. It concludes that a feasible LIS strategic plan in a developing country should include all stakeholder interests, while being mindful of the physical and fiscal resource and systems realities.Item Continuing education: libraries and the Internet (CELI) project: narrowing the skills gap in Southern African university libraries(D-Lib, 2004-04) Muswazi, PaikiThis is a description and evaluation of a SIDA funded continuing education initiative to enhance Internet skills and applications in university libraries in nine Southern African countries. The article describes the origins, objectives, methodology, coverage, challenges and gives an assessment of the project. It concludes that effective harnessing of the Internet depends on management support for continuous application of new skills and upgrading of ICT infrastructure, indigenous e-publishing, etc.