Sokoine National Agricultural Library Collection

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://10.10.97.169:4000/handle/123456789/90

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Environmental profile for agricultural production and development of conservation strategies in Mahenge village, Mbinga district, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture and ARI Mlingano, 1996) Maggogo, J. P.; Msanya, B. M.; Kimaro, D. N.
Convergence of libraries and computer centres for African universities: A strategy for enhancing information services
(IOS Press, 1999) Lwehabura, M. J. F.; Matovelo, D. S.
This paper aims at stimulating universities in Africa to work towards convergence of computer centres and library services as a strategy for enhancing information provision in these institutions. It highlights the convergence initiatives in the context of developed countries and gives advantages and benefits of such a strategy particularly in developing countries' constraints in both material and human resources. Despite possible obstacles that have also been pointed out, the paper concludes by stressing the timeliness for convergence of the two services in African universities where IT is now rapidly being adopted.
Information technology for agricultural research: SNAL's opportunities and challenges in addressing researchers' information needs in 21 st century.
(Proceedings of FoA conference, 1999) Dulle, Frankwell, W; Lwehabura, J.F; Matovelo, Doris, S; Mulimila, Revocatus, T
The paper defines information and briefly reviews its role in agricultural research. Applications of information technology in agricultural libraries is considered to playa vital role in provision of information to researchers, policy makers, practitioners, lecturers, extensionists, information workers, students and the public at large for their meaningful contribution to agricultural development. SNAL's achievements and problems in information provision to its clients for the ending millennium are discussed. Introduction of IT applications to some of its services such as CD-ROM services, and Online Public Catalogue are some of the achievements despite a list of problems albeit budgetary constraints, critical shortage of manpower, over dependence to external aids and failure to reach a wider audience of its clients. Whilefurther investments in IT and its applications could greatly improve information services to agricultural researchers, constraints mentioned above are among the major challenges to SNALS' obligations of meeting its user information needs for the coming millennium.
Effectiveness of Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) in disseminating veterinary information
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2000) Sife, Alfred S.; Chilimo, Wanyenda
The Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) was established by Parliamentary Act No. 21 of 1991, which elevated the former University Library to a national agricultural library. Therefore, SNAL serves both as a University Library as well as a national agricultural library. SNAL’s overall goal is to develop and maintain library and information services in agricultural sciences and related disciplines. As a university library, SNAL aims at supporting efficiently and effectively teaching, research, extension, consultancy and other academic activities of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). The Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) consists of many academic units that include four faculties; namely; the Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Science, and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. This paper examines the capacity of SNAL in disseminating veterinary information. Electronic information resources available at SNAL are assessed with the aim of examining the coverage of veterinary information in comparison to other agricultural related fields offered by SNAL. Major electronic information resources include: CD-ROMs, e-journals and an OPAC. Additionally, the information needs and seeking behavior of veterinary scientists and students at SUA are identified in order to establish the extent to which SNAL meets their needs. The quality of library human resources at SNAL in relation to their capacity to provide veterinary information was observed as well.
Marketing library services in academic libraries: A tool for survival in the 21st century
(University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal, 2003) Lwehabura, M. J. F.; Dulle, F. W.; Mulimila, R. T.
This article discusses the concept of marketing library and information services as an important library activity. It also stresses the need for librarians and information specialists especially those in academic libraries in developing countries to become proactive and to take marketing as a serious and obligatory library function. With the emergence of new information providers and diverse avenues that enable information users/seekers to access information even outside library premises, the authors argue that it is very likely librarians with lose potential clients. Marketing of library services is therefore considered to be a tool that can be used by librarians to fight and compete and also attract both new customers and old library users. The article also suggests a number of media that can be used to market library services in academic libraries.
Creating a core journal collection for agricultural research in Tanzania: citation analysis and user opinion techniques
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2004) Dulle, F. W.; Lwehabura, M. J. F.; Matovelo, D. S.; Mulimila, R. T.
The major objective of this study was to analyse the citation patterns of agricultural scientists in Tanzania. The specific objectives were to: assess researchers' access to information as reflected from citation analysis; establish a list of core agricultural journals for agricultural researchers in Tanzania using citation analysis and user opinions; and find out the extent to which the available information resources meet the research needs revealed by the study. The study involved the analysis of 295 MSc theses and 21 PhD theses submitted at Sokoine University of Agriculture between 1989·1999, and 309 conference proceeding articles published during the same period. It is concluded that generally agricultural scientists in the country had limited access to current journals. A number of options are recommended to alleviate the situation, with a focus on electronic journal provision supported by international organizations.
User fee in public libraries: perspectives, opportunities and challenges in Tanzania’s libraries
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2005) Matovelo, D. S.; Lwehabura, M. J. F.
The user fee practiced in public libraries in Tanzania since 1996 and implications of the fee are examined in relation to the role of libraries in economic development. The paper aims at stimulating discussions among professionals and other stakeholders regarding the effects and controversies of the issue. Based on a survey of literature, brief and informal. discussions with eight library users and librarians in three public libraries in Tanzania, it looks into the fee concept and discusses' the experiences and implications of the fee to both the public and public libraries that so far are not optimally used. In addition, charged services in four public university libraries have been examined for possible lessons to be learnt. While recognizing the growing pressure to commercialize access to information resources as a strategy for coping with economic difficulties in the public sectors, the paper cautions that the practice may have more disadvantages than advantages. It is observed that while there may be other reasons preventing the public from using libraries, the fee may actually be a hindrance to developing positive attitudes towards use of libraries by the public for their socio-economic development. The authors see the existence of an opportunity for librarians to make tangible contribution in the society's development process by promoting the use of easily accessible information through public libraries rather than supporting restrictive rules. It is concluded that paying for basic library services may not necessarily be a solution to the library's economic constraints across the board. For this reason, Tanzania's libraries should consider the present period as a period for promotion, advocacy, and investment in the value and role of information for economic growth and in the expansion as well as creation of public library clientele. Among the recommendations put forward is the need for conducting in-depth studies that would profile the actual users of these libraries, determine membership trend and find out user opinion and attitude towards fee practices in Tanzania. The paper also recommends the use of participatory methods in order to make fair decision regarding access, use and sustainability of public libraries. The paper finally suggests some possible alternatives for economic sustainability of the libraries ..
From collection management to knowledge management practices: considerations for the Sokoine National Agricultural Library in Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2006-07) Lwoga, Edda T.; Sife, Alfred S.
In the last few decades there has been a shift from “collection development” to “collection management” to present day “knowledge management”. Developments in ICTs are mainly responsible to the shift. This paper discusses how university libraries in developing countries can transform from collection management to knowledge management practices, focusing on the Sokoine National Agricultural Library in Tanzania. Challenges for implementing KM practices in the universities are also discussed. Recommendations are also made on how libraries including SNAL can implement KM practices, and move beyond the inherent collection management practices.
New technologies for teaching and learning: Challenges for higher learning institutions in developing countries
(International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT), 2007) Sife, Alfred S.; Lwoga, Edda Tandi; Sanga, C.
The application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is already changing the organization and delivery of higher education. The pedagogical and socio-economic forces that have driven the higher learning institutions to adopt and incorporate ICTs in teaching and learning include greater information access; greater communication; synchronous and asynchronous learning; increased cooperation and collaboration, cost-effectiveness and pedagogical improvement. However, ICTs have not permeated to a great extent in many higher learning institutions in most developing countries due to many socio-economic and technological circumstances. This paper discusses new learning and training technologies considering their pedagogical, cost and technical implications. It also discusses challenges for integrating these technologies in higher learning institutions with examples from Tanzania, and giving best practice approaches for addressing each of the challenges.
Information Literacy Delivery in Tanzanian Universities: An Examination of its Effectiveness
(African Journal of Library and Information Science, 2008) Lwehabura, M. J. F.
This paper presents the findings regarding information literacy (lL) delivery) in four Tanzanian universities in terms of IL content and delivery methods and their effectiveness. Based on a questionnaire survey of librarians and undergraduate students, the study found that the main IL teaching methods used include lectures, web pages and seminars, while content covered in IL sessions include information search skills, use of library facilities, information evaluation, and use of information sources. However, it is concluded that because of a number of factors, including lack of clear lL policy, inadequate time, the teaching of IL as stand-alone programme on voluntary basis, and non involvement of teaching staff, the current IL delivery approach is not effective for imparting adequate IL skills. A new IL delivery approach that addresses the identified weaknesses is therefore recommended.
Challenges of managing information and communication technologies for education: experiences from Sokoine National Agricultural Library
(International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT),, 2008) Emmanuel, Grace; Sife, Alfred S.
Like many other libraries, the Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) has already computerized most of its services. The library has acquired a number of ICT facilities that contribute positively to provision of information services. However, the new technologies provide new challenges related to acquisition, preservation, maintenance and security issues, training of users, and lack of awareness and commitment among key stakeholders. This paper discusses some of the challenges experienced by SNAL, highlights measures taken to overcome some of these challenges, and proposes strategies for proper management of ICTs in libraries.
Information literacy in Tanzanian universities: Challenges and potential opportunities
(SAGE, 2008-09) Lwehabura, M. J. F.; Stilwell, C.
A study was undertaken in four Tanzanian universities to investigate the status and practice of information literacy (IL)so as to determine the best ways of introducing or improving IL programmes. This article reports on the findings related to challenges and opportunities that could influence the effective implementation and introduction of IL programmes in Tanzanian universities. Data for the study was collected using a questionnaire-based survey administered to teaching staff, librarians and undergraduate students. Semi-structured interviews collected data from Deputy Vice Chancellors (DVCs) for academic affairs, Faculty Deans, Library Directors and a Library Head. The findings of the study showed that IL was new in the university curricula although some IL rubrics were being practised. Lack of adequate resources, lack of an IL policy, lack of proactive solutions among librarians coupled with the need for adequate library staffing and training, and collaboration between librarians and teaching staff in IL activities were all identified as challenges facing IL effectiveness. Also identified were potential opportunities such as the support by the majority of university stakeholders to mainstream IL and make it a compulsory course. These opportunities would allow the introduction of effective and sustainable IL programmes. The article concludes that librarians should seize the opportunities that are available to spearhead IL while at the same time making sure they tackle the identified challenges.
An analysis of open access scholarly communication in Tanzanian Public Universities
(UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA, 2010) Dulle, F. W.
The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting the adoption of open access in research activities within Tanzanian public universities in order to device mechanisms of enhancing the use of this mode of scholarly communication. The study adopted the UTAUT model to formulate an open access research model comprising of six constructs and five moderators for guidance of this investigation. A triangulation approach for data gathering was adopted. In the first instance, a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 398 respondents selected using the stratified random sampling from a population of 1088 university researchers from six public universities in Tanzania. The interview involving 63 policy makers and structured records review were also conducted to complement the questionnaire survey. The descriptive and binary logistic regression statistics of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) were used for data analysis. The study established that majority of the policy makers (90.5%) and researchers (72.1%) were aware of open access. Attitude, awareness, effort expectancy, and performance expectancy were established as the key determinants for researchers’ behavioural intention of open access usage while age, awareness, behavioural intention, facilitating conditions and social influence were found to significantly affect researchers’ actual usage of open access. It was concluded that researchers’ and policy makers’ general perceptions about open access were very positive signifying the acceptance of this mode of scholarly communication in the study area. Current poor research conditions and researchers’ low Internet self-efficacy such as inadequate information search and online publishing skills were cited as the main hindrances for researchers to use open access in scholarly communication. The study recommends institutionalisation of open access publishing in Tanzanian public universities and other similar research institutions so as to improve the dissemination of research output emanating from such institutions. Six areas for further research to establish more insights regarding the feasibility for open access development in the country are also recommended.
Information literacy for higher education institutions in Nigeria and Tanzania: efforts and prospects for educational reform in teaching and learning
(Innovation, 2010) Lawal, V.; Underwood, P.; Lwehabura, M. J. F.; Stilwell, C.
This article reviews efforts made by higher education institutions in Nigeria and Tanzania in transforming student learning through information literacy (II). It examines the need for higher education institutions in the two countries to create the necessary foundations for strengthening information literacy programmes as a strategy for ensuring viable transformation in teaching and learning. The paper is based on a review of related literature and observations drawnfrom working experiences in higher education institutions in both countries. It examines some of the meaningful educational transformations takingplace in higher education institutions in Nigeria and Tanzania and makes recommendations for better standards to be developed in terms of curriculum structure and design, teaching methods, outcome assessment and a review of institutional policies and goals in order to encourage active teaching and learning.
Contribution of mobile phones to rural livelihoods and poverty reduction in Morogoro Region, Tanzania
(The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries (EJISDC), 2010) Sife, Alfred Said; Kiondo, Elizabeth; Lyimo-Macha, Joyce G.
This study examined the contribution of mobile phones to rural livelihoods and poverty reduction in Morogoro region, Tanzania. The study sample comprised of 310 households, 74 focus group participants and 22 key informants. Data were collected through questionnaire, focus groups, and key informant interviews and were analyzed using SPSS and Nvivo. The findings indicate that mobile phones contribute to reduce poverty and improve rural livelihoods by expanding and strengthening social networks; increase people’s ability to deal with emergencies; cut down travel costs; maximize the outcomes of necessary journeys; increase temporal accessibility; and amplify efficiency of activities. The use of mobile phones also reduces costs of doing business and increases productivity by helping rural traders and farmers to secure better markets and prices; and promptly communicate business-related information. Although they enabled rural communities to generate some income through the sale of mobile phone services, the phones had not made important contribution in this aspect. It is concluded that mobile phones contribute to improve rural livelihoods and reduce poverty by providing rural households with fast and easy modes of communication, thereby increasing their ability to access livelihood assets, undertake diverse livelihoods strategies, and overcome their vulnerabilities.
Marketing and public programming in records and archives at the Tanzania Records and Archives Management Department
(Journal of the South African Society of Archivists,, 2011) Kamatula, Gwakisa A.
Archival institutions hold valuable collections in different forms and formats including correspondence, manuscripts, reports, and audio visual materials such as photographs, maps, plans, audiotapes, videos and films. Marketing and public programming are essential means for increasing the utilization of archival materials. However, many archival institutions particularly in Africa do not have effective marketing and public programming through which the general public could be made aware of the unique archival materials preserved by their state archives. As such, many of these materials are not utilized fully as evidenced by the low numbers of researchers consulting archives especially within the eastern and southern African region. The purpose of this paper is to assess the current marketing and public programming being undertaken by RAMD for effective promotion of its archival materials. Data was gathered through interviews with some officers at RAMD, as well as documentary and literature review. The paper reveals that marketing and public programming activities conducted at RAMD are insufficient and ineffective as they are only concentrated in particular areas leaving the wider community unaware of the archival resources and services provided by the department. The paper concludes by arguing that marketing and public programming remains the key to promoting and encouraging the use of services provided by RAMD. It is recommended that RAMD uses the modern information communication technologies to develop its own website through which archival information about its materials and resources could be uploaded for the general public’s easy accessibility.
Status of secondary school libraries under the secondary education development plan: Case study of Dodoma municipality, Tanzania
(2011) Mgina, S.; Lwehabura, M. J. F.
This study was undertaken in Dodoma Municipal, Tanzania in order 10 assess the development and status of school library services under the Secondary Education Development Plan (SEDP). The study involved 44 secondary schools, 186 teachers, 44 heads of schools, 16 school librarians, one Regional Education Officer, and one Regional Librarian. Data were collected through a survey method using a questionnaire that has both closed and open-ended items, as well as through interviews and observation. The study found that only 16 (36%) out of 44 secondary schools had libraries, while during SEDP implementation period, no public school and only one private school established a library out of the 27 schools that did not have libraries at the beginning plan period. In the schools with libraries, only 11 (69%) of them had separate buildings for the library, while only seven (44%) had trained librarians. The study concluded that, despite SEDp, school library services were generally poor as most schools lacked libraries, or lacked information resources and staff. It is recommended that in order to improve the quality of school library services, the Tanzania government should enforce its regulation requiring every registered school to have a library.
Dual function national libraries: A SWOT analysis of the Sokoine National Agricultural Library, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2013) Sife, Alfred S.; Ernest, Ester; Bernard, Ronald
A SWOT analysis was conducted for the Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) in order to understand its strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities and how these affect its performance as a dual function library. This SWOT analysis was achieved through authors’ experience and review of existing documents. The analysis revealed that the strength of the library was on its staff, collection, ICT services and training programmes. SNAL’s weaknesses include limited financial resources, lack of user education programme, inadequate library security, insufficient library facilities and space, underutilization of e-resources and dysfunctional printing unit. A serious weakness is the low attention given to the library’s national mandate, implying that SNAL has not adequately played its role as a national agricultural library. Available opportunities for SNAL include ICT development, legal deposit legislation, joining library consortia, funding opportunities, and outreach activities whereas budgetary constraints and changes in technology are the library’s threats. The library could build on these strengths and opportunities to overcome its weaknesses and threats. Several recommendations have been made based on the SWOT analysis.
Internet use behaviour of cybercafé users in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania
(Annals of Library and Information Studies, 2013) Sife, Alfred S.
Data on internet use behavior was obtained from 137 users in 10 cybercafés through questionnaires and the data thus obtained was analyzed using SPSS. The findings indicate that most cybercafé users in the study were young, male, better educated and mostly students. Many cybercafé users were computer literate but most had limited web using skills. The Internet was primarily used for searching academic information, communication as well as obtaining news and current affairs. There were weak correlations between demographic characteristics of respondents and the purposes of using the Internet. While many cybercafé users preferred search engines particularly Google and Yahoo, only a few were using web subject directories. The use of tools such as search engines, browsers, and social media in the study area correspond to many other world ratings. No adverse Internet addictive behaviours were exhibited by cybercafé users in the study area. Problems encountered in using the Internet are similar to those cited frequently in Africa. Increasing bandwidth and availability of electricity would improve connectivity and reduce Internet costs. It is also recommended that computer training programmes should include information literacy and ICT use for purposes such as e-business. Possible future research is also suggested.
Persistence and decay of web citations used in theses and dissertations available at the Sokoine National Agricultural Library, Tanzania
(International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT),, 2013) Sife, Alfred S.; Bernard, Ronald
A study was conducted to examine the persistence and decay of web citations in theses and dissertations available at the Sokoine National Agricultural Library. Specifically, the study assessed the accessibility status of cited URLs, identified error messages and top level domains of inaccessible URLs, and calculated the half-life of web citations. Eighty-three theses and dissertations that were dated between 2007 and 2011 were stratified according to their years of publication and randomly selected for the study. These gave a total of 15,468 citations of which 1,487 (9.6%) were web citations. The findings show that a total of 862 (58%) web citations were inaccessible. The 404 File Not Found error message was the most (92.7%) encountered and the .com domain had the greatest number (28.2%) of missing URLs. The average half-life for the URLs cited in theses and dissertations was 2.5 years. The study findings therefore indicate that many web resources cited in theses and dissertations available at SNAL had disappeared fromn their original locations. Collaborative efforts are thus required from various stakeholders in order to reduce the problem of URL decay.

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