Digital library readiness in Africa: A strategic human resource perspective
Date
2015-05-29
Authors
Owusu-Ansah, Christopher M.
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Publisher
University of Education Winneba, Ghana
Abstract
The success of any digital library endeavour significantly depends on the human capital of the implementing organisation. Many African institutions and academic libraries in developing countries are focusing and channeling significant resources into planning and setting up digital libraries. However, the main hurdle for many of these efforts is the human resource capacity of staff expected to implement these projects as several studies show a considerable skills gap in many digital library projects leading to sustainability challenges.
The aim of this paper is to propose the application of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) in evaluating digital library resources and services in Ghana to determine the readiness of academic libraries in implementing sustainable digital library services. As a result, the study examines the strategic plan of a multi-campus public university in Ghana with a view to aligning it to the same university’s library digital strategy using the BSC. The study proposes to academic libraries involved in digital initiatives to be mindful of the digital, financial and societal contexts in which they operate.
The study is expected to contribute to efforts at finding strategic measures to drive the vision of the digital library African institutions.
Description
Keywords
Balanced Scorecard (BSC), Ghana