University of Ghana Library System (UGLS)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://197.255.125.131:4000/handle/123456789/36393
Browse
71 results
Search Results
Item Privacy Issues in Libraries with Online Services: Attitudes and Concerns of Academic Librarians and University Students in Ghana(College & Research Libraries, 2020) Avuglah, B.K.; Owusu-Ansah, C.M.; Tachie-Donkor, G.; Yeboah, E.B.This study surveyed librarians’ and students’ attitudes, perceptions, and concerns about privacy in Ghanaian universities to seek a better alignment of their perspectives in the online library context. The study adapted and applied the instrument developed by Zimmer that assessed the attitudes and practices of librarians in the United States on privacy rights and protecting patrons’ privacy in the library.1 The the study found that, between librarians and students in Ghanaian universities, there was a need for greater control over their data and a need for ethical responsibility on the part of data-collecting online library agents; both groups expressed dislike for state censorship and corporate monopoly over their data. However, despite their positive attitude about the strong role of librarians in guaranteeing their data, a significant number of them demonstrate little faith in library means to actualize the protection of their data. Finally, privacy attitudes and concerns of academic librarians were noted to align with those of university students in Ghana. Among others, it was recommended that Ghanaian academic librarians integrate privacy education and awareness creation in their universities, emphasizing the need to make informed online decisions and exposing the potential repercussions of their decisions while using online libraries and digital resources.Item A social media strategy for academic libraries(The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 2021) Mensah, M.; Onyancha, O.B.This study was carried out to analyse strategies regarding the use of social media for academic library services in Ghana. The research design was quantitative and adopted the survey approach. Questionnaires served as the main data collection instrument. The study population comprised of one hundred and ten library staff from public and private universities in Ghana. As indicated by the study results, the library staff agreed that there was a need for a well-formulated social media strategy to help academic libraries identify the most appropriate social media tools, establish contact with targeted audience, and increase engagement rates to enable an effective and efficient distribution of its resources and services. The results also indicated that the academic libraries, however, seem to neglect these strategies which could drive patrons' use of such platforms. Recommendations therefore suggest the need to implement social media plans and policies, user engagement, social media update, and dedicated staff with the requisite skills in the use of social media platforms for library services delivery.Item Medical schools in Africa: seeing momentum(BMJ Glob Health, 2024) Rosenberg, J.; Juvonen, M.; Adanu, T.S.A.; et al.Item Repurposing university library spaces for improved learning satisfaction: The moderating role of organizational size(Journal of Access Services, 2024) Owusu-Ansah, S.This paper investigates the moderating influence of library size on the relationship between library space attributes and learning satisfaction. Employing a quantitative methodology, a sample of 196 university library users in Ghana was selected to investigate the perceived impact of repurposed library spaces on learning satisfaction. The author conducted an empirical analysis to examine how organizational size (the total number of workers at a particular location) moderates the association between library space attributes (including access and linkages [physical location and proximity to campus resources], usage patterns [highlights the hours when users are most active and displays when a spe cific app is utilized during the day], sociability [the propensity and corresponding abilities to look for friendship, interact with others, and take part in social activities], and comfort [a state of physically ease and freedom from pain or constraint]) and the learning satisfaction of users. The research, administered through a closed-ended questionnaire, underscored the signifi cant influence of access and linkages, usage patterns, sociability, and the physical environment on users’ satisfaction levels. These four library space attributes together accounted for 13.1% of the variance in learning satisfaction, according to a multiple regres sion study conducted with SPSS version 27. Nevertheless, mod eration analysis showed that there was no statistically significant relationship (p¼ 0.3370) between the characteristics of the library space and learning satisfaction through organizational size. The paper recommends adaptations to library designs to better align with the evolving learning needs of university library users in Ghana. A notable suggestion is the transformation of university libraries into dynamic physical spaces known as "learning commons" on campuses.Item Torn Between Two Worlds: Perceptions of the Role, Status, and Career Progression of Librarians Working in University Libraries(The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 2024) Donkor, A.B.; Asimah, A.P.A.; W.E., NwagwuLibrarians working in university libraries are torn between the two dominant categories (academic and pro fessional) of university staff. Belonging to either of the categories of staff has implications for the employees’ roles and duties, status, and career progression in the academic setting. This study sought to understand the perception of librarians’ roles, status, and career progression with the changing frontiers of knowledge and education in contemporary times. Using the qualitative approach, fourteen (14) librarians working in seven university libraries in Ghana were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. These librarians were purposively selected because they possessed the qualifications of practice and were experienced in the academic library setting. The data collected from the interview was transcribed. Using Nvivo software version 14, the researchers used the Reflexive Thematic Analysis method to garner codes and themes from the data to under stand the phenomenon under study. The findings from the study showed that librarians perceived their roles and responsibilities of academic librarians to be classified into three dominant categories: research support, teaching, and managerial/administrative roles. Again, academic librarians were assigned to either the academic or pro fessional cadre in their universities based on the university’s understanding of the library as a professional or academic unit irrespective of the Librarian’s qualification, roles and responsibilities and the changing academic librarianship landscape. The study revealed the challenges librarians working in academic libraries face with their promotion and career progression, including long years of waiting (6 years) to qualify for the promotion, role inconsistencies, stagnation/lack of promotion, the presence of an unclear career path, and the inability to meet promotion requirements due to the lack of time for research, all of which have implications on their job satisfaction leading to demotivation and stress among academic librarians. The findings of this study have practical implications for policymakers in the Library and Information Science (LIS) field, Higher Education Institutions (HEI), and researchers to understand the perception of the roles, status, and career progression of the librarians working in academic libraries in Ghana and to inform policy decisions.Item : Books-a-fright': technology and space changes in university libraries: a case of the University of Ghana Library System(International Journal of Information Systems and Change Management, 2024) Donkor, A.B.; Nwagwu, W.E.; Ampadu, J.O.Emerging technologies are rapidly changing and transforming spaces within academic libraries, giving rise to the implementation of distinctive services. The study sought to identify technology and space changes and the distinctive services introduced in university libraries. Interviews were conducted with heads of libraries coupled with document analysis of primary information sources to identify technology and space changes. The study revealed that most spaces in academic libraries have been converted into discussion areas, computer labs, lounges, and information commons. Computers with internet connectivity, printers, photocopiers, and telephones were available in these spaces. However, academic libraries faced technological, personnel, and financial challenges in implementing technology and space changes. The study recommended the investment in information and communication technology devices such as teleconferencing and video-conferencing devices and regular ICT-based training for librarians to be abreast of emerging technologies in providing academic library services.Item Re-Positioning University Libraries for Relevance in a Dynamic Learning Environment(Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 2023) Owusu-Ansah, S.; Korkuvi, P.J.During the COVID-19 pandemic, university libraries are characterised as highly responsive and receptive to technological innovation, and emergent teaching and learning paradigms in the educational landscape. The exploratory design was adopted to gain insight from library leaders/directors in Ghana. A purposive sampling method was used to sample library directors from four universities in Ghana. Our paper found that libraries in Ghana provide virtual services including libguides, e-resources, online chat systems, etc. to support the changing user needs in the information environment. However, major innovations instituted during the pandemic are discovery services, web 3.0-based, multimedia technology services and research data management. Our paper revealed that, major shifts in pedagogy and technology have occurred in education, demanding effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork by library staff in meeting universities' teaching, learning, and research mandate. Consequently, providing innovative library services and facilities aligned with university pedagogy must be strongly emphasised by the library leaders.Item Scheimpflug-Derived Keratometric, Pachymetric and Pachymetric Progression Indices in the Diagnosis of Keratoconus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis(Clinical Ophthalmology, 2023) Owusu, S.; Zaabaar, E.; Kwarteng, M.A.; Ankamah, S.; Abowine, J.B.V.Scheimpflug Pentacam Tomography is becoming crucial in the diagnosis and monitoring of keratoconus, as well as in pre and post-corneal refractive care, but there are still some inconsistencies surrounding its evidence base diagnostic outcome. Therefore, this study aimed at employing meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the keratometric, pachymetric, and pachymetric progression indices used in the diagnosis of Keratoconus. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (Identifier: CRD4202310058) and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE were used for data search, followed by a quality appraisal of the included studies using the revised tool for the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS-2). Meta-analysis was conducted using the meta (6.5.0) and metafor (4.2.0) packages in R version 4.3.0, as well as Stata. A total of 32 studies were included in the analysis. All keratometry (K) readings (flattest meridian, K1; steepest meridian, K2, maximum, Kmax) were significantly steeper in keratoconic compared to normal eyes: [MD (95% CI)], K1 [2.67 (1.81; 3.52)], K1-back [−0.71 (−1.03; −0.39)], K1-front [4.06 (2.48; 5.63)], K2 [4.32 (2.89; 5.75)], K2-back [−1.25 (−1.68; −0.82)], K2-front [4.82 (1.88; 7.76)], Kmax [7.57 (4.80; 10.34)], and Kmean [2.80 (1.13; 4.47)]. Additionally, corneal thickness at the center, CCT [−61.19 (−73.79; −48.60)] and apex, pachy-apex [−41.86 (−72.64; −11.08)] were significantly thinner in keratoconic eyes compared to normal eyes. The pooled estimates for pachymetric progression index (PPI): PPImin [0.66 (0.43; 0.90)], PPImax [1.26 (0.87; 1.64)], PPIavg [0.90 (0.68; 1.12)], and Ambrosio relational thickness (ART): ARTmax [−242.77 (−288.86; −196.69)], and ARTavg [−251.08 (−308.76; −195.39)] revealed significantly more rapid pachymetric progression in keratoconic eyes than in normal eyes. The Pentacam Scheimpflug-derived keratometric, pachymetric, and pachymetric progression indices are good predictors in discriminating KC from normal eyes.Item Personal Information Creation, Storage and Finding Behaviours of Faculty in Selected Universities in Ghana(Afr. J. Lib. Arch. & Inf. Sc., 2022) Nwagwu, W.E.; Donkor, A.B.The objectives of this study are to examine personal information creation and storage by faculty in selected universities in Ghana. The study also examined the factors associated with information finding/re-finding experiences of the faculty in their personal electronic and print information spaces and the influence of computer literacy in this regard. Data was collected from 235 faculty members of six universities in Ghana using a questionnaire. Faculty reported that they created personal information in an organised manner, and in comparison, with print, they created electronic information the most, and based on task at hand. Respondents strongly agreed that they found electronic information better when the information item is in a folder and has a content that relates to the folder name. They self reported their computer literacy to be mainly intermediate level skill acquired mostly through workshops and personal efforts. The result shows a significant but marginal relationship between computer literacy and re-finding personal electronic information (df=1, B=0.238, p=0.001), but not finding/re-finding personal print information. Irrespective of demographic characteristics, strengthening computer literacy targeted at faculty will improve refinding of previously stored electronic information.Item Personal factors and the role of memory in faculty refinding of stored information(Library Hi Tech, 2022) Nwagwu, W.E.; Donkor, A.B.Purpose – The study examined the personal information management (PIM) challenges encountered by faculty in six universities in Ghana, their information refinding experiences and the perceived role of memory. The study tested the hypothesis that faculty PIM performance will significantly differ when the differences in the influence of personal factors (age, gender and rank) on their memory are considered. Design/methodology/approach – The study was guided by a sample survey design. A questionnaire designed based on themes extracted from earlier interviews was used to collect quantitative data from 235 faculty members from six universities in Ghana. Data analysis was undertaken with a discrete multivariate Generalized Linear Model to investigate how memory intermediates in the relationship between age, gender and rank, and, refinding of stored information. Findings – The paper identified two subfunctions of refinding (Refinding 1 and Refinding 2) associated with self-confidence in information re-finding, and, memory (Memory 1 and Memory 2), associated with the use of complimentary frames to locate previously found and stored information. There were no significant multivariate effects for gender as a stand-alone variable. Males who were aged less than 39 could refind stored information irrespective of the memory class. Older faculty aged 40–49 who possess Memory 1 and senior lecturers who possess Memory 2 performed well in refinding information. There was a statistically significant effect of age and memory; and rank and memory. Research limitations/implications – This study was limited to faculty in Ghana, whereas the study itself has implications for demographic differences in PIM. Practical implications – Identifying how memory mediates the role of personal factors in faculty refinding of stored information will be necessary for the efforts to understand and design systems and technologies for enhancing faculty capacity to find/refind stored information. Social implications – Understanding how human memory can be augmented by technology is a great PIM strategy, but understanding how human memory and personal factors interplay to affect PIM is more important. Originality/value – PIM of faculty has been extensively examined in the literature, and limitations of memory has always been identified as a constraint. Human memory has been augmented with technology, although the outcome has been very minimal. This study shows that in addition to technology augmentation, personal factors interplay with human memory to affect PIM. Discrete multivariate Generalized Linear Model applied in this study is an innovative way of addressing the challenges of assimilating statistical methodologies in psychosocial disciplines.