African Journal of Library and Information Science

Frontiers of Library, Information and Computer Sciences ISSN 5721-610X Vol. 2 (2), pp. 181-185, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Library as an instrument for social engineering: The Bangladesh experience

Hossain Samrat

Department of Information Science and Library Management, National University of Bangladesh. Email: [email protected].

Accepted 12 December, 2015

Abstract

In Bangladesh sex workers (SWs) and their children are one of the most vulnerable and socially marginalised groups. There are very few organizations in Bangladesh who are struggling for them to change their lives. Many Government and Non-Government Organizations are working just for harm reduction only. Concern Worldwide (one of the Irish-based International Organizations) has recently implemented a project namely “Jibon Paribortone library” means “Library for Changing Lives” to support 1,000 sex workers through dedicated brothels-based libraries, provided them with the opportunity to make their own choices for a better future. The main aim of setting a brothel-based digital library is to improve the quality of life of the sex workers and their children in a sustainable way through training and learning by the innovative approach of a library. The project realizes that as of today in Bangladesh the marginalised communities do not have access to a traditional library. This damages educational outcomes for many (Yunus, 2009). The author was appointed as Library Consultant of the project. It was an amazing experience that based on the demand of the Sex workers; the author had to collect and prepare the digital resources and different audio-visual aids and organise live skills training. After that he had to try for involving sex-workers with different IGAs (Income Generating Activities) by maintaining liaise with other organizations, community people, civil society people, policy makers and so on. He also had to work hard on changing public attitude as well. To motivate Sex workers for achieving social skills on different micro-professions (like garments work, tailoring, sewing hand fabrics, maid-labour, making clay stuffs, parlouring, making hand sweater, beautician, hair cutting, cooperatives, etc.) short video documentaries have been made and presented on different IGAs (income generating activities). As a result of skill training through libraries, 200 SWs (Sex workers) fully changed their profession to tailoring; beauty parlouring, bag making and 300 SWs have increased their sources of income from other trades. Thus brothel-based libraries have turned into integral part in the lives of the sex workers. The basic aim of the paper is to share the ideas on how a considerable number of sex-workers have been involved with different IGAs, how their children have been admitted in government and public schools during the last couple of years by the help of the library services. A number of good case studies will also be discussed.

Keywords: Libraries, disadvantaged people, sex workers, human resources.

Frontiers of Library, Information and Computer Sciences ISSN 5721-610X Vol. 2 (2), pp. 175-180, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Status, characteristics and contribution  of women librarians  to development in Nigeria

¹Funmilola Phillip, ²Kate M. Adeboye* and ²Rose S. Obakemi

1Department of Education Technology and Library Science, Faculty of Education, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.

²Faculty of Social Science Resource Centre, University of Uyo Library, Uyo, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author’s Email: kate_adeboye@y ahoo.com.

Accepted 13 September, 2015

Abstract

Objective – This review of literature provides a framework for understanding the profession of Librarianship. It also focuses on status and characteristics of women librarians in Nigeria and their contribution to national development. Methods – Databases from the disciplines of Library Science and Business and Management, including the larger Social Sciences, were searched for. References to sources that dealt with the status and characteristics of female librarians in Nigeria and worldwide were consulted. Databases were also searched for sources relating to Librarianship and gender practices. Sources were also culled from major bibliographies on women in libraries. Articles and monographs were selected for inclusion in the review if they reported research findings related to these broad topics. Sources from professional literature were included if they offered a unique perspective on live experiences of women librarians. Results – Findings show the number of women in senior leadership roles has increased over the years. Nigeria has many Library and Information Science Schools. They have Bachelor of Library and information Science and degrees at postgraduate levels. Many women librarians have acquired postgraduate degrees in Librarianship. This has made their employment into high positions possible and easy regardless of their female gender. Conclusions: A review of the literature regarding status, characteristics and contribution of women librarians in Nigeria revealed that women have contributed to national development in various ways. It also revealed that gender inequality between women Librarian have drastically reduced because of education of women, because both male and female librarians are being taught with the same academic curriculum.

Key words: Librarianship, women, librarians, characteristics, leadership, positions, status.

Frontiers of Library, Information and Computer Sciences ISSN 5721-610X Vol. 2 (2), pp. 163-174, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A webometric analysis of web pages of ICMR institutes websites

¹Khanduri Bharti, ²Shivraj Prem and ³Lal Gupta Kumar

¹Department of Library and Information Science, Alagappa UniversityKaraikudi – 630 003, India.

²Department of Library and Information Science, Alagappa University, Karaikudi – 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India.

³Department of Library and Information Science, Alagappa University, Karaikudi – 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 02 September, 2015

Abstract

The website of an institution can be used for many purposes, enable the users to get more information and idea of the particular institution or company. Webometrics is the research of network-based communication using informetrics or other quantitative measures. As a study, the ICMR institutes in India have been taken and their link structure has been analyzed. Moreover this study concentrates on the Classification of Websites by webpage size, WAVE Web AIM Accessibility Error, Various Search Engine performances, the difference between pages in various time intervals and Number of rich files has been calculated. It also presents the Link – network diagram of ICMR institutes using Pajek Software.

Keywords: Webometrics, ICMR institutions, Classification of Websites by webpage size, WAVE Web AIM Accessibility Error, Number of rich files was calculated, Link – network diagram.

Frontiers of Library, Information and Computer Sciences ISSN 5721-610X Vol. 2 (2), pp. 121-128, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the level of awareness, extent of use, challenges and prospects of the use of open source software in Nigerian libraries

Peter Chinedu  Okoro

University of Lagos Library, Akoka- Yaba, Lagos. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 12 January,  2015

Abstract

This descriptive survey study was conducted with the main objective of identifying the level of awareness, extent of use, challenges and prospects of the use of open source software in Nigerian libraries. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. The data collected was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis using simple percentages and frequency counts. The result of the study which listed 19 different OSS revealed that most librarians in Nigeria have limited awareness on the availability of the varying OSS hence, do not significantly utilize them in their libraries. Out of the 42 libraries involved in the study, only 7 are presently using CD/ISIS while 5 others utilize KOHA. The study also identified some inhibitors to include that the management does not see the use of the software in those sections as relevant (54.8%), fear of service support problems (64.3%), and unavailability of Internet access in the libraries to enable downloading of software 61.9%. Recommendations such as embracing the “Sister Libraries” programme, engaging in continued professional development, joining concerned software’s user group and contacting colleagues who are knowledgeable about the software were made.

Keywords: Open Source Software, Library services provision, Software awareness, Availability, Utilization, Nigeria.

Frontiers of Library, Information and Computer Sciences ISSN 5721-610X Vol. 2 (2), pp. 145-149, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of girls' enrolment and completion in senior secondary school in Bauchi State, Nigeria

¹Umaru Sambo, ²Masai Abubakar and ²Ibrahim Abdullahi

¹National Bureau of Statistics, Bauchi, Nigeria.

²Adamawa State Polytechnic, Yola, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author email: [email protected]

Accepted 23 September, 2015

Abstract

Having acknowledged the effort of Nigeria Government, the international development partners and non-governmental organizations (NGOS) in getting every child of school age into school particularly the girl-child, the gross enrolment rate (GER) compared to the net attendance/completion rate (NAR) particularly the gender parity is still much to be desired. In view of the above the researchers decided to use some few sampled schools in Bauchi state to find out what the situation is like. Girls who were lucky to have reached senior secondary school level, and were expected to remain in school up to completion time, and if there were withdrawals/dropouts, what could have been the possible causes of these? And what can be done to ensure that these girls at least complete their senior secondary education? At this level, it is believed that they would have been matured enough as well as have acquired some life skills to enable them face the challenges of the today’s society. Accordingly, A simple survey of school records (class registers) of students in two sets of two arms each in three (3) selected secondary schools was carried out and a Purposeful sampling of the three schools (two co-education and one single sex school) was used. Furthermore a focus group discussion was held with the vice-principal academy and the class teachers of the sampled classes in each of the schools. Samples of students were also interviewed on their opinions on the possible reasons for students dropped-out from school in each of the schools. Findings clearly show that in some core northern states, of which Bauchi is part, there is still problem with girl-child enrolment versus completion of secondary education in Nigeria.

Keywords: Child, secondary school, enrolment Education.