Browsing by Author "Mushi Gilbert"

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Serving the public: African academic libraries and outreach services
(National Information Workers Association of Namibia, 2021-10-06) Mushi Gilbert; Kingsley Egbukole
Academic libraries are sources of information and services, which serve not only the academic community but also the general public. The libraries serve as preservers and disseminators of information, adding value to the public as they give access to information through outreach services. As such, public users of different disciples including farmers, entrepreneurs, professionals, household members, industries and other similar groups in the public are the beneficiaries of the information held in the academic libraries. This paper discusses the issues, challenges and solutions of outreach services provided by the University Library of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) in Nigeria and Sokoine National Agricultural Library – the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania. The paper generally discusses academic library services offered to the non-academic community for the aim of extending access to information resources held in the academic libraries.
The state of embedded librarianship in the university research processes in selected African academic libraries
(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2023-07-28) Leonard Anna; Josiline Chigwada; Mushi Gilbert
Purpose – This study aims to examine the state of embedded librarianship in African academic libraries by exploring the extent of librarian embedment in research processes in selected academic libraries in Africa. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted to collect data using an online questionnaire. The study population was comprised of librarians who directly support researchers throughout the research process in the scholarly communication and information services sections. Purposive sampling was used to select librarians, and 63 responses were received from the target of 100. The collected data were analysed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) software, and content analysis was used to analyse open-ended questions. Findings – The study results showed that the extent and nature of librarians’ embeddedness in the research process vary across different university contexts in Africa. Challenges and areas of research skill gaps among librarians were identified, and propositions to address the research skill gaps were provided. Practical implications – The study findings can be used as a framework for libraries to embed librarians in the research process. The study made recommendations with practical implications for library practitioners in academia, and institutions offering library and information science education, and the library management responsible for the research process. Originality/value – A study brings a novel perspective by examining the state of embedded librarianship in the African context. Its contribution generates knowledge and insights that inform the development of effective embedded librarianship practices in African academic libraries to enhance research support services and advancement of scholarly research in the region.