Paradigms shifts in information environment: prospects and challenges African libraries
| Pages | 396-408 |
| Date | 11 September 2007 |
| Published date | 11 September 2007 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830710820970 |
| Author | Stephen M. Mutula |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
OTHER ARTICLE
Paradigms shifts in information
environment: prospects and
challenges African libraries
Stephen M. Mutula
University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose is to trace the revolution in information and communication technology (ICT)
and changes in this wake such as globalization, digital divide, information society, Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) and e-government and how these changes impact on the provision of
library and information services.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper is largely based on review of literature both online
and print.
Findings – The paper concludes that the paradigm shifts occurring in the information environment
have affected the concept of library; the perception of ownership versus access of library resources; the
nature of information resources and services; and the role of the information professional among
others.
Research limitations/implications – The paper advocates for a proactive strategy on the part of
information professionals in order to re-engineer and adapt the library to the volatile global
information environment in order to remain relevant in the wake of new paradigm occurrences.
Practical implications – Effective access and use of information will inevitably have great
influence on the realisation of positive effects that the new paradigms occurrences engender in the
global environment. It is desirable at this point in time to research into how information access and use
can be brought to bear on the attainment of MDGs, bridge digital divide, enhance attainment of
information society, promote e-government, etc.
Originality/value – Despite, the rapid changes within the global information environment that has
been occasioned by ICT, there is lack of critical mass of information science literature that addresses
issues such MDGs, globalisation, information society and digital divide from the perspective of the
information professional.
Keywords Globalization,Government, Digital libraries,Information society, Informationprofession,
Africa
Paper type View point
Introduction
This paper attempts to put the paradigm shift for information technology in
perspective for African libraries and African library professionals, who are active if
often somewhat resource-poor participants in the international discourse.
Libraries have attempted to employ some resemblance of technology to transact
business since the 1930s-1950s. As far back as the 1930s punched card equipment was
implemented for use in library circulation and acquisitions. Later in 1945, Vannevar
Bush envisioned an automated system that would store information, inclu ding books,
personal records and articles. Bush’s (1945) memex was described as a mechanical
library that would allow a user to view stored information from several different access
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
LHT
25,3
396
Received 2 February 2007
Revised 20 May 2007
Accepted 3 June 2007
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 25 No. 3, 2007
pp. 396-408
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378830710820970
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