Library and Information Studies

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Challenges of using Koha as a library management system among libraries in higher education institutions in Zambia.
(DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 2021-03-26) Bwalya, Tuesday; Akakandelwa, Akakandelwa
This study investigated the challenges facing libraries in higher education institutions in Zambia in their use of Koha. The study was a descriptive survey involving 41 libraries from higher education institutions. Data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. The findings revealed that the major challenge was the inability of librarians to effectively use all the modules in Koha because of a lack of skills. The modules that are mainly used are circulation and cataloguing modules. The other challenges identified were poor Internet connectivity, lack of technical support, and difficulties upgrading and backing up the Koha database.
An investigation into the appreciation and practice of competitive intelligence among organizations in Zambia.
(UNIVERISTY OF ZAMBIA, 2013) Daka, Kaoma L.; Bwalya, Tuesday; Mwalimu, Edward C.; Chisunka-Mwila, Chitundu P.; Mulauzi, Felesia
This paper sought to assess the extent to which Competitive Intelligence (CI) was being practiced and appreciated among corporations operating in Zambia. The survey research method was used. 50 corporations in this case were purposively selected and a questionnaire administered to them. 60% (30) corporations successfully answered the questionnaire. The research findings reveal that 73.3% of the corporations in Zambia know about CI. Most of the corporations define CI as the process of gathering information on competitor’s activities. Other firms associate the term CI with market research. They defined CI as market research. It has been also discovered 73% of corporations interviewed know the importance of CI in their operations. They contended that CI helps them in highlighting the opportunities, and threats; helps in making sound business decisions and strategy formulation thus, helping in gaining competitive advantage over competitors. It was further discovered that despite majority of the firms acknowledging having designated units or departments to gather CI, the research shows that no corporation in Zambia has a standalone CI unit/department responsible for gathering CI. The gathering of CI is done by departments such as marketing, research/planning and business development. The absence departments/units solely responsible cast serious doubt on the corporations’ appreciation and practicing of CI in the operations. This implies that CI in Zambia is not widely appreciated and practiced as it relegated to other departments such as marketing and planning.
Library automation in school libraries and media centres in Zambia: case study of selected schools in Lusaka city.
(Department of Library and Information Science, 2019-08-04) Bwalya, Tuesday; Mwalimu, Edward C.; Nyirenda, Emeldah
The availability of both commercial and free and open source library management systems has presented a window of opportunity for libraries to automate their operations with a view to improving the management, and delivery of information resources to their clients. This study sought to find out the level of library automation in some selected school libraries and media centers in Lusaka city of Zambia. The study was both quantitative and qualitative in design and a survey method was used. A sample of 62 respondents from school libraries and media centres took part in the study and that snowball sampling method was used. This sampling method was used because of lack of a sampling frame of both government and private schools with libraries or media centres in Lusaka city. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and interview guides. The research findings show that 72% of the respondents understand the concept of library automation while 28% do not. In terms of library automation, 2 (3%) of the surveyed library schools were automated while 60 (97%) were not. Further, it was discovered the two school libraries that had automated their operations were from private international schools and that they use the library management system called Destiny. Among factors that hinder automation in school libraries include among other things; lack of ICTs skills among school librarians and lack of political will from school administrators to fund school libraries and media centres. In view of the above findings, it was recommended that school managers adequately fund school libraries to enable them automate their operations and that qualified librarians be employed in schools.
OpenBiblio: a free and open source integrated library management system that answers small libraries’ automation needs.
(Journal of Balkan Libraries Union, 2017-05-30) Bwalya, Tuesday
This paper assesses the suitability of Openbilio as a free and open source integrated library management system that answers small libraries' automation needs considering the fact that many free and open source integrated library management systems exit that require more skills and resources which these libraries do not have. The study was a qualitative technical paper on OpenBiblio. Qualitative data through documents analysis on OpenBiblio was collected and analyzed in light of its strengths and weaknesses. Secondly, the author used his personal experience of working with OpenBiblio to evaluate its suitability for use among small libraries. The findings show that OpenBiblio is suitable for small libraries because it is easy to install and configure as compared to Koha, Evergreen and other integrated library management systems which require immense technical knowledge of Linux, MYSQL, HTML and CSS. Further, it has also been observed that OpenBiblio can run on a small computer with at least 512Mb of RAM and can run on both Windows and Linux. The study also discovered that OpenBiblio has four modules (Cataloguing, Circulation, OPAC, and Patron management that represent the core functions of small libraries; thus it computerizes the main functions of the library. OpenBiblio was also found to comply with main library standards such as Z39.50 and MARC 21. The paper however discovered that OpenBiblio has limited documentation on the Internet that makes it difficult for new beginners to install and configure it
The practice and appreciation of competitive intelligence (CI) among corporations in Zambia.
(University of Zambia Press, 2013) Bwalya, Tuesday; Chisunka-Mwila, Chitundu P.; Mwalimu, Edward C.; Daka, Kaoma L.; Mulauzi, Felesia
This paper sought to assess the extent to which Competitive Intelligence (CI) was being practiced and appreciated among corporations operating in Zambia. The survey research method was used. 50 corporations in this case were purposively selected and a questionnaire administered to them. 60% (30) corporations successfully answered the questionnaire. The research findings reveal that 73.3% of the corporations in Zambia know about CI. Most of the corporations define CI as the process of gathering information on competitor’s activities. Other firms associate the term CI with market research. They define CI as market research. It has been also discovered 73% of corporations interviewed know the importance of CI in their operations. They contended that CI helps them in highlighting the opportunities, and threats; helps in making sound business decisions and strategy formulation thus, helping in gaining competitive advantage over competitors. It was further discovered that despite majority of the firms acknowledging having designated units or departments to gather CI, the research shows that no corporation in Zambia has a standalone CI unit/department responsible for gathering CI. The gathering of CI is done by departments such as marketing, research/planning and business development. The absence departments/units solely responsible cast serious doubt on the corporations’ appreciation and practicing of CI in the operations. This implies that CI in Zambia is not widely appreciated and practiced as it relegated to other departments such as marketing and planning.
Research on the management of records at the University of Zambia(UNZA)
(2011-02-18) Bwalya, Tuesday
The research discovers that maladministration of records(inefficiency and dishonest management of records) is rife at the University of Zambia (UNZA). For instance, 69.8% of the respondents admitted that there are incidents where records under their custody go missing. They also acknowledged that they often have difficulties locating and retrieving in time the needed records. There are number of factors responsible for maladministration of records at UNZA. The major cause of maladministration of records at UNZA is the lack of records management program. The University has not drafted and implemented a records management program. As a result, the university does not have a records management policy, a records retention and disposal schedule, manuals and procedures needed for the smooth management of records. In this regard, records officers and other university employees do not know what is required of them when handling university records. Many officers do not know the right retention period of records under their custody hence they dispose them prematurely. Records are not properly classified ,indexed and filed because there is no manual to explain how records should be classified, indexed and filed. The research also discovered that the non-involvement of records management experts in the management of the university electronic records is partly also responsible for the frequent loss of records held in databases, electronic mails and those records stored on secondary storage facilities such as DVDs, CDs and Diskettes. The non-availability of records management program has also resulted in records management functions not to enjoy maximum support from the university management. In addition, it has made it impossible for records management experts to work with their counterparts from the IT department in the management electronic records of the University. Maladministration of records at UNZA is further compounded by the absence of a competent middle level management office to aid the registrar’s office in the coordination and supervision of records management activities in the University.
The role of the private media in the provision of development information to people in Lusaka, Zambia.
(University of Zambia Press, 2013) Mulauzi, Felesia; Mwalimu, Edward C.; Bwalya, Tuesday; Chisunka-Mwila, Chitundu P.
The private media can contribute immensely to meeting the development information needs of any nation by providing the much needed information for development. While a number of studies have examined the relationship between media and development, few have investigated the link between the private media and development information. Information is essential as it ensures that citizens make responsible, informed choices rather than acting out of ignorance or misinformation. Information serves a “checking function” by ensuring that activities taking place carry the wishes of the majority in the nation. The media whether public or private have the potential to provide that access. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether private media provided development information to people in Lusaka, Zambia. Seventeen private media institutions participated in the study. These included print, online and broadcast private media. The results are reported and include the participants’ types of development information they provide; format and language in which they provide development information; target group for development information; the times development information is presented; and policy for the provision of development information.
The adoption of free and open source library management systems in higher education institutions in Zambia.
(UNZA, 2021-08-05) Bwalya, Tuesday
Globally, many libraries have turned to free and open source library management systems (FOSLMS) for their library automation needs. Prohibitive costs of commercial library management systems and dwindling financial support have compelled libraries to embrace FOSLMS. In Zambia, some libraries in higher education institutions (HEIs) have adopted FOSLMS for library automation. This study, therefore, thought to establish how widespread was the adoption of FOSLMS among libraries in the higher education sector in Zambia. It also aimed at determining the most used FOSLMS in higher education libraries and factors influencing the adoption of FOSLMS in HEIs in Zambia. Further, this study sought to establish the possible benefits and challenges of using FOSLMS by libraries in HEIs in Zambia. Anchored on the positivism philosophy, the study was descriptive quantitative in design and employed a survey research strategy. A complete census of all 154 HEIs in Zambia with functioning libraries was conducted. In this regard, a person in charge of the library in the higher education institution participated in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect data and 142 HEIs answered the questionnaire. The findings of the study have shown that the adoption of FOSLMS in HEIs is widespread. In this regard, 42 (78%) libraries out of the 54 libraries that have automated their operations were using FOSLMS. It has also been established that Koha is the most used FOSLMS in library automation by HEIs in Zambia, as 41 (97.6%) libraries have automated their operations using Koha. This finding supports other findings of various studies in Malawi, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia where Koha was found to be the most used FOSLMS in library automation. The principal driver for the adoption of FOSLMS in HEIs is the lower cost of adoption. Furthermore, the Chi-square test of independence using a 0.05 level of significance shows a strong relationship between adoption of FOSLMS and variables such as management support, ease of use, and social influence with the p-value of 0.000. In addition, the study established that the adoption of FOSLSMS has resulted in efficient and effective provision of library services. Other benefits accrued to libraries in HEIs that have adopted FOSLMS include the provision of online library services and control over bibliographic records. The study also established that many libraries face challenges using FOSLMS. These include having difficulties in using FOSLMS, lack of technical support, failure to update and upgrade FOSLMS and unreliable Internet connectivity. vii Given the findings above, the study recommends that ministries responsible for HEIs should lobby the Zambian government to formulate a policy to promote the use of FOSS. Government should also ensure that library automation becomes mandatory among HEIs. Further, the government should begin allowing librarians from private HEIs to apply for international training scholarships in library automation it receives from cooperating partners. To HEIs management, it has been recommended that internet service provision be improved and that serving library workers should be retrained on how to use FOSLMS installed in their libraries. For other stakeholders in librarianship in Zambia such as the Library Association of Zambia (LIAZ) and Library Science Schools, it has been recommended that more publicity on the existence of other FOSLMS be undertaken and that more training workshops on the use of Koha and other FOSLMS be continuously conducted. For Library Science Schools that do not have modules on FOSLMS, they should revise their curricula to incorporate FOSLMS. To ensure the successful adoption and implementation of FOSLMS in HEIs in Zambia, a model has been developed detailing the major drivers of FOSLMS adoption. More importantly, the model identifies adoption environmental factors that need to be in place for the successful adoption of FOSLMS. This model will serve as a guide to libraries not only in the higher sector but also in other sectors that wish to automate their libraries using FOSLMS
The use of free and open source software (FOSS) in Zambia: a case study of government departments.
(The International Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Research, 2018) Bwalya, Tuesday; Mkulama, Abel
Introduction-Many governments world over have implemented policies to promote the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) as a treaty to reduce the cost of running government and ensure compliance to software piracy laws. In this regard, a study was conducted to measure the FOSS in government departments in Zambia. Methodology-The study employed a survey research method in which a sample of 70 IT managers and staff from government ministries, departments, commissions and quasi-government bodies were sampled and interviewed. The sampling method used was purposive; key government departments were elected for the study by virtual of their importance and one IT manager in each government department was interviewed. Findings-The results reveal that 92.9% of the IT managers/staff from government departments in Zambia were aware of the existence of FOSS. Only 7.1% showed ignorance of FOSS. In terms of the use of FOSS Operating Systems, the study shows that majority (78.6%) of government departments do not use FOSS operating system. Only 21.4% use FOSS Operating systems such as Linux (Ubuntu and others). The study further established that majority government departments in Zambia do not only use Windows operating systems but also use Microsoft Office and a host of other commercial software which cost the Government of the Republic of Zambia a lot of money annually. Results from the study have shown that majority (47.1%) of government institutions in Zambia spent between ZMK 50,000 to ZMK 100,000 annually on commercial operating systems and application software. Among the factors discovered to be responsible for low use FOSS is government’s departments in Zambia is the fact the use of FOSS is not backed by a policy thus making it difficult for ICT personnel to widely use FOSS. Conclusion-The fact that many ICT personnel in government departments are aware of the existence of free and open source software that can replace commercial software gives hope for Zambia to join the ranks of countries such as Brazil which have completely migrated to FOSS thereby reducing the cost of running government. In this regard, the government of Zambia should develop and implement a FOSS policy that will either make it mandatory or advise the use of FOSS in all government departments. This is will go a long way in reducing the cost software.
The use of free and open source software (FOSS) in Zambia: a case study of government departments.
(The International Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Research, 2017-08-25) Bwalya, Tuesday
Introduction-Many governments world over have implemented policies to promote the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) as a treaty to reduce the cost of running government and ensure compliance to software piracy laws. In this regard, a study was conducted to measure the FOSS in government departments in Zambia. Methodology-The study employed a survey research method in which a sample of 70 IT managers and staff from government ministries, departments, commissions and quasi-government bodies were sampled and interviewed. The sampling method used was purposive; key government departments were elected for the study by virtual of their importance and one IT manager in each government department was interviewed. Findings-The results reveal that 92.9% of the IT managers/staff from government departments in Zambia were aware of the existence of FOSS. Only 7.1% showed ignorance of FOSS. In terms of the use of FOSS Operating Systems, the study shows that majority (78.6%) of government departments do not use FOSS operating system. Only 21.4% use FOSS Operating systems such as Linux (Ubuntu and others). The study further established that majority government departments in Zambia do not only use Windows operating systems but also use Microsoft Office and a host of other commercial software which cost the Government of the Republic of Zambia a lot of money annually. Results from the study have shown that majority (47.1%) of government institutions in Zambia spent between ZMK 50,000 to ZMK 100,000 annually on commercial operating systems and application software. Among the factors discovered to be responsible for low use FOSS is government’s departments in Zambia is the fact the use of FOSS is not backed by a policy thus making it difficult for ICT personnel to widely use FOSS. Conclusion-The fact that many ICT personnel in government departments are aware of the existence of free and open source software that can replace commercial software gives hope for Zambia to join the ranks of countries such as Brazil which have completely migrated to FOSS thereby reducing the cost of running government. In this regard, the government of Zambia should develop and implement a FOSS policy that will either make it mandatory or advise the use of FOSS in all government departments. This is will go a long way in reducing the cost software.

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