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Title Utilization of Archival Information at Swaziland National Archives by Researchers at University of Swaziland
Full text http://www.ajol.info/viewarticle.php?id=30592
Date 2007
Author(s) Hlophe, Phumzile; Department of Library and Information Studies University of Botswana ; phumyphumykosh@yahoo.com; Wamukoya, Justus; Department of Library and Information Studies University of Botswana ; wamukoya@mopipi.ub.bw
Abstract This paper discusses the findings of a study that was carried out to assess the utilization of archival information at Swaziland National Archives (SNA) by researchers at the University of Swaziland (UNISWA). Its purpose was to establish the researchers' information needs and their information seeking behaviour, as well as to determine how these needs were being met. It further wanted to establish the factors that hindered access and use of the archival information and how those factors could be addressed. The study methodology involved questionnaires, face to face interviews as well as structured observations. The respondents included lecturers, postgraduate students and archives personnel. The study results revealed that the SNA was underutilized by researchers at UNISWA, the search-room was not conducive for research purposes and the search-room staff took long to retrieve required documents. Factors contributing to this were found to include lack of skilled personnel, lack of proper marketing strategies, lack of user studies, lack of relevant information and inadequate opening hours. The authors' recommendations include training of existing staff and recruitment of additional personnel, conduct of user studies, improved marketing strategies, and extension of opening hours to include weekends.
Subject(s) Archives, Archival information, Information needs, Information seeking behaviour, Access, User studies
Language en
Publisher Association of Crop Science, Uganda
Type of publication Peer-Reviewed Article
Source ESARBICA Journal: Journal of the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Branch of the International Co
Rights Copyright is owned by The Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives
Repository Africa - African Journals OnLine (AJOL)
Added to C-A: 2008-12-22;02:47:51