Cooperative Electronic Networks of Academic Libraries in Southern Africa

Abstract

Describes the development of the major cooperative electronic networks or consortia among academic libraries in Southern Africa: Gauteng and Environs Library Consortium (GAELIC); Free State Libraries and Information Consortium (FRELICO); Cape Libraries Cooperatives (CALICO); Eastern Seaboard Association Libraries (ESAL); and South Eastern Academic Libraries' System (SEALS), all concentrated in South Africa. Also discusses cooperative activities in the region of the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) and the eIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries) Direct Project. Describes the strategic importance of the (South African Bibliographic Information NETwork (SABINET) for cooperating libraries, and the formation of the Coalition of South African Library Consortia (COSALC). Advises academic and other libraries to embrace the concept of cooperative electronic networks in order not to lose their relevance, but notes that the sustainability of such projects can be a problem due to resource constraints.

The Global Digital Divides

“…Several studies have focused on sub-regions of Africa, most notably sub-Saharan Africa (Buys et al 2009;Rhine 2006;Ojedokun and Lumande 2005;Gyamfi 2005), or on ICT development, policies, practices, and impacts of specific African nations or provinces within a nation as examples (Mbatha et al 2011;Bankole et al 2011;Alemna and Sam 2006); but only a handful of studies such as Fuchs and Horak (2008) and have examined aspects of Africa's digital divide at the country level. Several studies have focused on sub-regions of Africa, most notably sub-Saharan Africa (Buys et al 2009;Rhine 2006;Ojedokun and Lumande 2005;Gyamfi 2005), or on ICT development, policies, practices, and impacts of specific African nations or provinces within a nation as examples (Mbatha et al 2011;Bankole et al 2011;Alemna and Sam 2006); but only a handful of studies such as Fuchs and Horak (2008) and have examined aspects of Africa's digital divide at the country level.…”

Research Productivity-Visibility-Accessibility and Scholarly Communication in Southern African Universities

“…Even with advanced infrastructure, little research would be available for discovery through abstracting and indexing databases, in library collections or on the Web, given the general lack of availability of the services required for web-based publishing, though this situation is beginning to change. Initiatives are being undertaken to develop electronic networks among libraries in the region, for example, the INASP 4 and eIFL 5 projects (Ojedokun & Lumande, 2005), in order to encourage the flow of university-produced knowledge across the region. Authored works often have low visibility in the academic fraternity because of the form they take, such as consultancy research and research in non-peer reviewed publications (Mouton, 2007;Abrahams et al, 2008).…”

Digital Divide in Africa

“…Several studies have focused on sub-regions of Africa, most notably subSaharan Africa (Buys et al 2009;Rhine 2006;Ojedokun and Lumande 2005;Gyamfi 2005), or on ICT development, policies, practices, and impacts of specific African nations or provinces within a nation as examples (Mbatha et al 2011;Bankole et al 2011;Warschauer 2003;Alemna and Sam 2006); but only a handful of studies such as Fuchs and Horak (2008) and Onyeiwu (2002) have examined aspects of Africa's digital divide at the country level. To examine ICT utilization and the digital divide in Africa, we consider five different forms of ICT-broadband, fixed/landline telephones, mobile phones, internet, and virtual social networks.…”