Digitalization of Scholarly Works at the Special Collections of the University of Zambia Library

Abstract

The study targeted universities, higher learning institutions, research centers and some of the Zambian Libraries Consortium (ZALICO) Institutional library members in Lusaka, Central and Copper belt provinces of Zambia. The study had one objective, which was to find out why there was no any kind of Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) in Zambia. In the study the University of Zambia was selected as the main focus because it is the oldest University, biggest and has the largest number of post graduate programs in Zambia. The study also narrowed down the scope by focusing on the University of Zambia Library’s Special Collections which is a division in the Main Library that keeps all the Theses, Dissertations and other Research Information materials. In the research of 150 respondents, we managed to collect and analyze 111 completed questionnaires. After collecting data, that data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and then interpreted. From the statistics we found out that 51.4% of the respondents had enough knowledge and information about Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs), 96.4% said they could support the introduction of Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs), 53.2% said they would avail themselves as staff support, 61.3% said there was an Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) policy in their work organization, 97.3% said they were willing to participate in various roles of the Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)project, and lastly but not the least, a list of some of the benefits of having an Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) was presented to the respondents to tick those benefits that would apply to their situation. Apparently all the benefits were ticked meaning that they applied to most of the respondents’ situation. On the other hand the research found out that 65.8% of the respondents did not have any knowledge about the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD). And when asked for financial support for the establishment of an Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) at their University or Organization, we got 96.4% for the no response. In summary the Study found out that, yes an Electronic Theses and Dissertations can be established at the Special Collections of the University of Zambia Main Library in consultation and support from the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD), the pioneers of this world wide project. NDLTD with its main aim of helping any new member acquire Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs), have continued to render all the necessary implementation assistance to new members. It is from this background that an Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) will be established at the University of Zambia.

KEYWORDS: Digitalization; Electronic Theses and Dissertations; Libraries; Network Technologies; Information Resources