An assessment of digital literacy skills and knowledge-based competencies among librarians working in university libraries in Africa
| Published date | 11 November 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-04-2019-0013 |
| Pages | 172-192 |
| Date | 11 November 2019 |
| Author | Ebikabowei Emmanuel Baro,Onyedikachi G. Obaro,Emetarom Doris Aduba |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology,Records management & preservation,Information repositories |
An assessment of digital literacy
skills and knowledge-based
competencies among librarians
working in university libraries
in Africa
Ebikabowei Emmanuel Baro
University Library Department, Federal University Otuoke, Yenagoa, Nigeria
Onyedikachi G. Obaro
Library Science Unit, Institute of Education, Delta State University, Abraka,
Abraka, Nigeria, and
Emetarom Doris Aduba
Library Department, Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy,
Trans- Ekulu, Enugu, Nigeria
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of thispaper is to assess digital literacy skills possessedby library and information
professionalsworking in university libraries in Africa.
Design/methodology/approach –Online questionnaire was developed to collect data from 214
librariansworking in various university libraries in English-speakingcountries in Africa.
Findings –The study found that librarians working in university librariesin Africa rated their database
search skills, uploading documents to online platforms, skills in using different social media, sending and
receiving e-mails skill, digital library development skills, skills in applying new technologies into library
services, ability to create different file formatsand ability to use open source software as very high. While,
metadata development skills, and library website development skills were rated to be moderate and low.
Overall, the librarians rated their level of digital literacy skills possessed to be moderate, and differences
emergedbetween librarians in Nigeria and South Africawith regard to digital literacy skills possessed.
Practical implications –This study attempts to identifyskills that are central to librarians working in
universitylibraries. The study will be useful for trainerswho want to arrange training for academic librarians
in Africa and other developing countries. For some library schools, it may help them to review their
curriculumin accordance with the required skills and competencies for academiclibrarians in the market.
Originality/value –Findings will behelpful to explore the skills and competencies neededby information
professionalsand to act as a guideline for competencydevelopment and curriculum update in library schools
in developingcountries.
Keywords Digital literacy, Africa, Competencies, Skills
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The information environment in which modern libraries operate is becoming increasingly
complex. It therefore callsfor information professionals to acquire digital literacyskills to be
able to function properly. Libraries all over the world have been faced with the evolving
DLP
35,3/4
172
Received16 April 2019
Revised22 May 2019
Accepted19 August 2019
DigitalLibrary Perspectives
Vol.35 No. 3/4, 2019
pp. 172-192
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2059-5816
DOI 10.1108/DLP-04-2019-0013
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2059-5816.htm
technological advancement,globalization, and digitization of information.These have led to
library automation, digital and virtual libraries, virtual conference, Web-cast, pod-cast,
community and online learning, Web 2.0, and Library 2.0 (Baro and Godfrey, 2015).
According to Bawden (2008) digital literacyis the set of attitudes, understanding and skills
to handle and communicate information and knowledge effectively, in a variety of media
and formats. In their own view, Bell and Shank(2008) stated that:
Digital literacy is the ability to use digital technology, communication tools or networks to locate,
evaluate, use and create information. It is the ability to understand and use information in
multiple formats from a wide range of sources when it is presented via computers. It is also a
person’s ability to perform tasks effectively in a digital environment. Digital literacy includes the
ability to read and interpret media, to reproduce data and images through digital manipulation,
and to evaluate and apply new knowledge gained from digital environments (p. 1).
Library staff therefore are faced with the challenge of upgrading their skills. This is why
librarians must endeavorto equip themselves with technologicalskills that will be useful for
their jobs. According to Singhand Mehra (2013):
growth of technology has had a significant impact on the way libraries function, on the education
of librarians, on the skills and competency expectations of library employers, and on the
curriculum in library schools (p. 219).
Knowledge workers have growing repositories of information resources to search through
to perform their work functions. Effective information retrieval for librarians can be
challenging due to a number of factors including the volumeof information through which
they must search, a lack of knowledge ofadvanced information retrieval techniques, a lack
of awareness of where to look (both internally and externally produced materials) and a
shortage of time to find and process information.
Adeleke (2016) is of the opinion that librarians require certain skills and competencies to
establish and maintain a digital repository. The skills, according to the author, include
traditional library skills and knowledge, as well as management and technical skills,
familiarity withmetadata creation, and knowledge of copyright.
These skills will equip them to deal with digitization and archiving of the content. Digital
competencies are the skills necessary to work in digital library environments and manage
electronic library infrastructures and services (Chinien and Boutin, 2011). In today’s digital
information environment, it has become inevitable that librarians need to acquire digital
competencies (Graham, 2003). Singh and Pinki (2009) stressed that library professionals must
develop digital competencies and skills to manage change and fulfil the information needs of users.
There is a great need for digital competencies among librarians working in university
libraries for developing and managing digital libraries, and for staying relevant in the twenty-
first century information environment. For this reason, it is imperative to assess the status of
digital literacy skills (DLSs) and competencies among librarians to address the challenges of
digital librarianship in Africa. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the digital
literacy skills and knowledge-based competencies among librarians working in university
libraries in Africa. To do this, five research questions were raised to guide the study.
Research questions
RQ1. What is the level of digital literacy skills possessed by librarians working in
University librariesin Africa?
Assessment of
digital literacy
skills
173
To continue reading
Request your trial