An assessment of the technology readiness of public librarians in Botswana
| Pages | 275-287 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-10-2018-0086 |
| Published date | 01 July 2019 |
| Date | 01 July 2019 |
| Author | Liah Shonhe |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Information behaviour & retrieval,Information in society,Information literacy,Library & information services |
An assessment of the technology
readiness of public librarians
in Botswana
Liah Shonhe
Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Botswana,
Gaborone, Botswana
Abstract
Purpose –The use of technology in today’s life has skyrocketed, leaving information providers with no
option but to implement technological initiatives that will enable effective information access and
dissemination. This paper aims to assess the readiness of Botswana public librarians to adopt the use of
technologyin the management of libraries and disseminationof information.
Design/methodology/approach –Convenience and purposivesampling were used to collect data from
21 participants via SurveyMonkey software. The study questions were based on the TechnologyReadiness
Index (TRI) by Parasuraman and Colby (2015).In addition, mixed-methods approach was adopted to collect
both qualitativeand quantitative data.
Findings –The study found out thatpublic librarians are ready to adopt information and communications
technologies (ICTs)in library services. This is evidenced by their usage of social media networksand emails.
Results also show that public libraries in Botswana are facing various challenges such as low bandwidth,
shortageof computers, lack of timely technological supportand ICT skills by librarians.
Research limitations/implications –These findings call upon the Ministry of Youth Empowerment,
Sport and Culture Development to setup/constructmore public libraries and equip them with the necessary
technology. This will enhance productivity and help libraries to meet the needs of the twenty-first century
informationseekers. An in-depth study should be conducted to establish the technologicalstatus in Botswana
public libraries.
Originality/value –This is the first study conducted in Botswana to assess the public librarians’
readinessto adopt new technologies.
Keywords Digital libraries, Public libraries, Botswana, Botswana National Library Services,
Information dissemination, Technology Readiness Index
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Today, libraries are operating in a more advanced technological era, hence the need to
remodel library sources and services to fit into the twenty-first century (Verma & Verma,
2014). Information and communications technologies (ICTs) have not only changed user
needs but also require a shift in the roles of librarians. Some of the roles that librarians are
tasked with in the twenty-first century environment include content creation and
management, knowledge management, digital curation, impacting computer literacy skills,
Web designing, providing mobile technology services and media marketing (Jain, 2013;
Verma and Verma, 2014).
2. Motivation/problem statement
A study carried out in Nigeria by Okiy (2010) revealed that students and lecturers in
Nigerian tertiary institutions increasingly demanded and preferred access to electronic
Public
librarians
275
Received16 October 2018
Revised29 November 2018
Accepted30 November 2018
GlobalKnowledge, Memory and
Communication
Vol.68 No. 4/5, 2019
pp. 275-287
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2514-9342
DOI 10.1108/GKMC-10-2018-0086
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