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    An examination of records management practices in small and medium enterprises in Lusaka urban district of Zambia.
    (The Univerity of Zambia, 2021) Zulu, Yakhiwe Chapansi
    The study sought to exam records management practices in small and medium enterprises in Lusaka Urban District of Zambia. The study was guided by four research objectives; to identify the type of records being created or received by the SMEs, to establish the existing record management practices in the SMEs, to examine the effect of records management on business performance in SMEs, and to establish challenges in records management in SMEs. The research design used was a survey. Sources of data were from primary sources and the instrument of data collection used was the interview schedule. The sample size was 20 owners and/or managers of SMEs. All the 20 owners/managers took part in the study. Data analysis was done thematically using content analysis. Research findings showed that the SMEs created and received mostly financial records such as; receipt books, financial statements, bank statements, invoices, books of accounts and purchase orders. Other findings revealed that paper based systems were used to manage records. Records were stored in managers’ offices. Research findings also revealed that to secure and protect records, lockable cabinets were used. Further findings revealed that the managers of records were not qualified in records management and there were no records management policies and retention and disposal schedules in place. The findings established that records management informed a business of its financial position. The challenge faced in managing records was the negative attitude by some managers towards managing records. Judging by the lack of policies and guidelines, it was concluded that the records management practices in the SMEs were inconsistent and inefficient. This study recommends that the SMEs formulate and promulgate records management policies. The SMEs should sensitize all employees on the importance of records and having a sound records management system. Further, SMEs should employ qualified records managers
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    Information literacy instructional practices: survey of university libraries in Zambia.
    (The University of Zambia, 2023) Chisanga, Alexander
    Information literacy (IL) instruction is the fundamental professional practice in university libraries, and university librarians are primary providers of IL instructions, generally. Information literacy is designed to teach library patrons how to quickly and effectively locate information that they need from the library. Such patrons include students, researchers and other information users. Therefore, university librarians have a role to play in imparting students with fundamentals of IL skills such as developing a search strategy, critical thinking and familiarizing with search techniques. Once library users are equipped with IL skills, they would be able to identify knowledge sources available within the academic world, and even be ready to use knowledge tools for retrieving relevant content. This study intended to investigate the existing IL practices by professional librarians in university libraries in Zambia. A quantitative method based on descriptive research design was used. Data was collected through a crosssectional survey method. The population of the study consisted of 62 (9 public and 53 private) HEI recognised universities in Zambia. A sample of 60 head librarians was purposively selected as participants for the study and covered through census survey. The questionnaire developed by Julien et al., (2018) was adopted according to the need of the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyse the data. The results of the study revealed that most university libraries were using basic level IL instructional practices. The most preferred methods of IL instructions were group library orientations and one-on-one computer practical. These practices were mostly done at the beginning of the year of study. In addition, results indicated that the extent to which IL methods were applied, were not informed by the new ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. Results further indicated that professional librarians had the same view concerning the opportunities for improvement of the IL instruction methods. The study recommended that universities should integrate IL instructions at undergraduate and post graduate levels as credit or no-credit courses to help students, researchers and other information users become life long and independent learners. Keywords: information literacy; IL instruction; IL practices; University libraries - Zambia
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    Knowledge management and performance at the Zambia Revenue Authority
    (The University of Zambia, 2023) Namfukwe, Lukonde
    This study examined the knowledge management practices and performance at the Zambia Revenue Authority Headquarters in Lusaka. A case study design based on the quantitative approach was used in conducting this study. The data was collected through structured questionnaires comprising of closed-ended questions. A total of 108 employees responded to the questionnaire. SPSS version 25 was used as the statistical software for data analysis. Descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages were used. The study findings revealed that a slightly large proportion (58%) of the respondents reported that there is a KM strategy/or policy at the Authority. The study findings suggest that KM has been partially integrated in the operations of the Authority. The study found that the Authority has several KM strategies in place to support the process of managing knowledge within the institution. The most common type of KM strategies reported by the respondents included database management systems (81.5%), Website (s) on its activities (74%), shared databases (71.3%), electronic mails (70.4%), internet and intranet (66.7%).The study established several knowledge capture and acquisition sources commonly used to capture and acquire knowledge at the Authority which include formal discussions/brainstorming, meetings/discussions, appraisals/evaluations, and lessons learned from projects. These knowledge capture and acquisition sources were considered very important in terms of how they capture and acquire knowledge at the Authority. The study found that knowledge is moderately shared among different functional units within the Authority. Most of the respondents (76.9%) broadly agreed that the Authority utilises various written devices such as newsletter and manuals, to store the knowledge they capture from employees. The study also found that the Authority has different publications to display the captured knowledge. The study findings provide a basic understanding of knowledge management practices and performance at the Zambia Revenue Authority. The study recommends that tax organisations should adopt KM practices to enhance their organisational performance; and consequently may improve their service delivery. Keywords: Employees, knowledge management practices, knowledge capture and acquisition, knowledge sharing, performance, storage, strategy.
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    Researcher’s perception on access regulations in the usage of archival materials: a case study of the National Archives of Zambia.
    (The University of Zambia, 2015) Chileshe, Lombe
    The aim of this study was to assess researcher’s perception on access regulations in the usage of archival materials at the National Archives of Zambia. The objectives of the research were: to determine the educational levels of researchers that patronize National Archives of Zambia; to determine the extent to which archival materials are used; to investigate researcher’s perception towards access regulations in the usage of archival materials; and to determine which of the regulations researchers consider to be hampering their research and need to be reviewed. Primary data relating to the research objectives was collected using purposive sampling through a questionnaire and interviews as only fifty questionnaires were distributed to researchers who were available at the time and had a 100% return. Research findings revealed that both male and female have access to archival materials and it also revealed that their educational level had a bearing on research. The majority of these researchers are undergraduates representing 68%. It was also revealed that the majority of the researchers used archival materials once per week representing 48% and that archival materials ensure records are available for various research. It was further revealed that researchers attach great importance to the historical value of archival materials. The majority of researchers representing 68% observed that access regulations safeguard integrity of archival materials and lastly the majority of researchers revealed that restricting them to a certain number of documents at a time is likely to affect the use of archival materials. Archives are unique and rare materials which require regulations to protect and guide their access, as regulations are put in place to protect them and ensure that right procedures and processes are in place. In view of the above, there is need to review some of the conditions under the access regulations in order to enhance research and further sensitize the researchers on the value of archival materials and activities.
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    Assessment of the security systems in selected libraries of higher learning institutions in Zambia.
    (University of Zambia, 2022) Hampwaye, Bestain
    ABSTRACT Security issues in libraries include theft of library materials, the mutilation or vandalism of library resources and dealing with disruptive patrons. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate security measures implemented to prevent theft of library resources and other disruptive vices in selected libraries in Zambia. Specifically, the study investigated the types of security problems being faced by higher learning institutions libraries in Zambia; it also investigated security measures higher learning institutions libraries have put in place to mitigate against security problems libraries are facing and assessed the effectiveness of the security systems used by these libraries. An exploratory study approach was adopted for this study and employed the qualitative method. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The data elements from selected academic libraries were the librarians’/deputy librarians, the information systems librarians/IT managers, and circulation librarians. There were 15 libraries under study and were drawn from three provinces; namely; Lusaka, Central and Copperbelt provinces. The sample included libraries drawn from both public and private higher institutions of learning. The basic criteria for selecting libraries was that the institutions should have fully established libraries manned by personnel with a minimum qualification of a Bachelor’s degree in library studies (BALIS). A total of 28 participants took part in the study. The research data was collected using interview guides; an observation checklist and a list of documents were collected, while data was analyzed thematically. The study revealed significant differences among higher learning institutions libraries in Zambia in applying the organizational security measures due to several challenges such as lack of security policies, incompetent staff and inadequate funds for security systems. However, some libraries have put in place security measures to protect their resources which include the installation of surveillance cameras, alarm system, 3M book detection system, generators, training of library staff and the use of security guards to man higher learning institutions libraries. The findings further revealed that half of the higher learning institutions libraries surveyed have deployed technological security measures but require improvement on organizational measures and maintenance of the security devices. This may be due to the over-emphasis on technology as the sole solution to security problems in these libraries. Therefore, the study recommended that security officers should be employed as a security measure since relying on technology alone will not solve the security problems effectively. Keywords: Library, security systems; library resources, security measures; information resources; Zambia