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Technological innovations have led to an increase in demand for information technology (IT) skills in contemporary library and information agencies. This in turn has created an increased need for pedagogical skills on the part of library and information science (LIS) professionals for them to empower users with knowledge and skills to navigate a complex digital information terrain. Hence LIS professionals with both technology and pedagogical skills have become increasingly critical in a digitized information environment. In the context of this confluence of knowledge and skills requirements for the LIS professional, this article draws early findings from a global phenomenological probe into curriculum design and development directed at the blended or hybrid LIS professional located in a pluralist information environment and requiring cross-disciplinary competencies spanning LIS, IT, teaching and learning, and perhaps even other cognate areas. It explores, in this context, challenges, ideas, and thinking in LIS education from preliminary empirical findings from parts of Africa, Asia, and South America (representing the Global South) and from parts of Europe and North America (representing the Global North), with a view to stimulating debate and discourse on the repositioning of the LIS discipline toward staking an intellectual claim on the broadening of its disciplinary space resulting from a natural evolution of the LIS discipline in response to a technology-driven information environment. Shank and Bell's concepts of "disruptive innovations" and the blending of traditional librarian skills with information technology and pedagogical skills, together with Corrall's "content, conduit, and context" approach to educating for a pluralist digital information environment, are used to frame this reflection.

In this study we investigated the research designs employed to study the interdisciplinary profession of school librarianship during a time period of notable changes across both the Pre-K-12 and school library domains. To conduct this work, we analyzed all 217 articles published in "School Library Research" (SLR) and "School Libraries Worldwide" (SLW) from 2007 through July 2015. Results point to the high variability in research designs employed and limited inclusion of Pre-K-12 students as participants. The articles also exhibit high incidences of collaboration between scholars but limited involvement of practitioners as researchers. Findings are discussed in relation to research and practice.

Because information and documentation units in libraries have responsibility for an ever-increasing number of projects, this paper aims at analyzing the discipline of project management in library and information science (LIS) from a professional perspective. To that end, the researchers employed quantitative and qualitative methodology based on a questionnaire of 17 items sent to academic librarians. The questions dealt with the geographic origin and institutional affiliation of the respondents, the education of the librarians, their professional experience, and the library projects in which they have been involved. The survey also asked about the presence of project management as courses in library and information science studies.

This study mapped and audited the types, nature and diffusion of ICTs in LIS education in sub-Saharan Africa. Questionnaires were sent to 51 LIS schools in 19 countries of sub-Saharan Africa, of which 29 (57%) were returned. Most LIS schools have a significant ICT content in their programs, and most ICT modules are highly rated as core/required within these programs. Practical training for ICT skills was included in all modules but to a limited extent. ICT use in teaching and learning was largely focused on computer literacy, followed by use of ICT in bulletin boards, distance learning and collaborative teaching. Only a few African LIS schools, with significant growth in South Africa, employ online teaching. ICT is used in research mainly to collect research information, to identify sources for research funds and to apply research tools such as statistical packages. There was also evidence of strong use of ICT for academic administration largely through stand alone PCs or offline. Computer hardware availability was noted to be low as the number of computers in terms of computer student or staff ratio is extremely low. While a variety of computer software is available in the market with Microsoft products leading the market, software licensing requirements are problematic because of cost and infringements. Most institutions have set up mechanisms to provide staff with ICT competency, and evidently the agenda for ICT development for LIS education in Africa is still quite long. Such an agenda should always include provision of resources and better ICT infrastructure, staff development, ICT policy, ICT accessibility for students and staff, curriculum development, collaboration and networking for resource sharing, distance learning education, practical education/training for skills development, experiential learning, and integration of ICT in LIS education. (Contains 5 tables, 5 figures, and a questionnaire.)

Highlights trends in educational programs for library, archival, and information services in Anglophone West Africa since the recommendations of the Seminar on Public Library Development in Africa, held in Ibadan in 1953. Both professional and paraprofessional education are discussed, and needed resources are identified. (CLB)

Discusses the current level of library development and librarianship in francophone West Africa, taking Senegal as a case in point. The topics addressed include the impact of colonialism on library development, the structure of library services, the role of UNESCO seminars in library development, and the education of library personnel. (JL)

Aims: Changes of serum galectin-3 (Gal-3) is associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, current literature indicates that the given results remain debatable and inconsistent. Hence, the aim of this present meta-analysis was to focus on the predictive role of serum Gal-3 in patients with DN. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for studies that reported the relationship between Gal-3 levels and DN risk, from the inception of each database to March, 2023. The literature we selected for inclusion based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The standard mean difference (SMD) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to investigate the association. When I2 value exceeding 50%, we will consider it has the presence of a higher level of heterogeneity. A sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were performed to seek the potential sources of heterogeneity. The quality assessment was performed using according to the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). The data analysis was conducted using STATA version 13.0 software. Results: We ultimately enrolled 9 studies enrolling a total of 3137 patients in the final analysis. The SMD of serum Gal-3 was higher in patients with DN group (SMD 1.10 ng/mL [0.63, 1.57]; I2: 96.1%). Upon removal of a study in sensitivity analysis, patients with DN had higher serum Gal-3 levels compared to control patients (SMD 1.03 ng/mL [0.52, 1.54], I2: 94.4%). Further subgroup analysis was performed based on the region. No matter in Asia, Europe or Africa, the serum Gal-3 level of DN patients is significantly higher than that of the control population (SMD: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.87 for Asian; SMD: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.48 to 1.10 for Europe; SMD: 3.15; 95% CI: 2.73 to 3.56 for Africa). Conclusion: In conclusion, these results suggested that higher serum Gal-3 may increase the risk of DN. More fundamental studies are necessary to clarify the exact physiopathological basis mechanisms of Gal-3 effects. In addition, further research, especially emphasis on the cut-off value should be given, and is best to predict their actual importance as well as the diagnostic accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Changes of serum galectin-3 (Gal-3) is associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, current literature indicates that the given results remain debatable and inconsistent. Hence, the aim of this present meta-analysis was to focus on the predictive role of serum Gal-3 in patients with DN. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for studies that reported the relationship between Gal-3 levels and DN risk, from the inception of each database to March, 2023. The literature we selected for inclusion based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The standard mean difference (SMD) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to investigate the association. When I2 value exceeding 50%, we will consider it has the presence of a higher level of heterogeneity. A sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were performed to seek the potential sources of heterogeneity. The quality assessment was performed using according to the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). The data analysis was conducted using STATA version 13.0 software. Results: We ultimately enrolled 9 studies enrolling a total of 3137 patients in the final analysis. The SMD of serum Gal-3 was higher in patients with DN group (SMD 1.10 ng/mL [0.63, 1.57]; I2: 96.1%). Upon removal of a study in sensitivity analysis, patients with DN had higher serum Gal-3 levels compared to control patients (SMD 1.03 ng/mL [0.52, 1.54], I2: 94.4%). Further subgroup analysis was performed based on the region. No matter in Asia, Europe or Africa, the serum Gal-3 level of DN patients is significantly higher than that of the control population (SMD: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.87 for Asian; SMD: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.48 to 1.10 for Europe; SMD: 3.15; 95% CI: 2.73 to 3.56 for Africa). Conclusion: In conclusion, these results suggested that higher serum Gal-3 may increase the risk of DN. More fundamental studies are necessary to clarify the exact physiopathological basis mechanisms of Gal-3 effects. In addition, further research, especially emphasis on the cut-off value should be given, and is best to predict their actual importance as well as the diagnostic accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The rate at which the development of librarianship is advancing in African countries compared to developed countries is agonizing, which gives rise to many questions regarding the future trend of the library profession. This paper reviews current trends and emerging issues in libraries and the librarianship education profession in African countries. Challenges in the training of librarians are described. Disparities in advancement are explained through a comparison of the development of libraries and the librarianship profession in different African zones, that is, East, South, West, and the Northern part of Africa. Challenges that face libraries and librarians' profession are summarized, and the authors offer some recommendations and practicable solutions to the emerging trends and challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LIS education is more concerned with training in librarianship. LIS education aimed at producing competent librarians to manage all types of libraries in the countries of the world for sustainability. Other information related disciplines such as documentation, archives and records management were relatively unknown when they started existing, thus, they were not accorded prominence. However, librarianship in Africa owes its origin to colonialism. Colonialism introduced reading and writing among the indigenous people. Until then, the two activities were alien. Colonial governments introduced Western education which entailed among others, reading and writing. In an attempt to boost the two activities, a need was felt to provide the new literates with information materials, basically books, to further their reading and writing skills which brought about the establishment of Library Schools in Africa. Thus, UNESCO played a leading role in the establishment of LIS education programmes in Africa and in particular Anglophone sub-Saharan Africa. The pressure emanated from public libraries. UNESCO was convinced that illiteracy in sub-Saharan Africa could only be eradicated with the support of libraries. A number of regional seminars were held between 1953 and 1963 on the African continent to sensitize colonial governments on the need to establish public libraries in their colonies to speed up socio-economic development, thus, library schools were established in Africa to sustain library practices The history of Library Education was traced in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. The paper concluded that the existing ICT laboratories in all library schools in Africa should be well equipped, while the library schools without laboratories should be encouraged to establish one by training efficient manpower to manage and coordinate the established libraries in Africa and the yet-to-be established ones in order to sustain library practices. Adequate laboratories would enhance the provision of adequate and efficient practical and the acquisition of IT skills. Above all, the parent institutions in Africa (universities, polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education) running LIS programme should provide adequate funding for the procurement of facilities in the ICT laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an exercise of reflection, whose purpose is to question, in political, ethical and epistemic terms, the place of geographical/territorial enunciation framed in the Global South, raised from the cultural studies to the social and human sciences, in the last decade, as a conceptual axis to advance in the understanding of social phenomena. A journey is made through the notion of territory, configured as a space not limited geographically, but as a field of disputes around scientific knowledge and the symbolic configuration of the world. In particular, it explores the ways of naming what we know today as Latin America: Indoamerica, Abya-Yala, Africa and Ñamerica, with the intention of exploring how these modes of enunciation make visible new forms or other forms of knowledge that have been made invisible. It also shows the reason why sciences such as librarianship and information science are distanced from Ibero-America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the library sector, library associations are playing an important role in the promotion of librarianship as a profession vital to informed and knowledgeable society. The purpose of this study was to examine the role library associations played to improve access to information during the pandemic in Africa. The objectives of the study were to: find out the communication channels used by library associations to communicate with their members during the COVID-19 pandemic; challenges faced by the associations in communicating to its members during the lockdown; collaborations or partnerships the library associations developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep its members abreast of the new developments and recommend strategies to mitigate similar disasters in future. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a semi-structured online questionnaire, involving both closed and open-ended questions. Most of the responses were from library associations in Central Africa (33.3%) and majority of the respondents were females (67%). The highest level of education attained by most of the library association's President was a master's degree (67%). Majority of the library associations have subscribed to IFLA and AfLIA. The major challenges faced by respondents' library association were poor internet connection during the COVID-19 lockdown, technophobia and insufficient funds for data subscription. The pandemic had an effect on the strategic plan of the national library associations because their planned activities such as conducting national library conference were disrupted. This study therefore recommended the development of risk and disaster preparedness manuals and encouragement of more use of online information resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the significant roles Shane Godbolt played in promoting partnerships and collaborations and strengthening the Association for Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA). It presents the personal reflections of each author about Shane, the part she played in their professional and personal lives as well as Shane's vital support for AHILA and AHILA members during her lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the trends in the scope and subject classifications of library and information science research from authors that are affiliated with institutions in Africa. Library and information science journal articles and conference proceedings from the 54 African countries that were published between 2006 and 2015 and indexed in the Web of Science were retrieved for the study. After the removal of non-relevant articles and articles that were not available online, the library and information science publications were classified based on subject and scope. Results from the analysis of author keywords, country of affiliation, subject and scope classification were also visualized in network maps and bar charts. Frequency analysis shows that though computer science had the most profound influence on Africa's library and information science research, its influence came to prominence in 2004. Furthermore, North African countries exhibited features that are different from the rest of Africa; they contributed most on core computer classifications while other African countries focused more on the social science-related aspects of library and information science. Unlike other regions in Africa, the North African countries also formed a dense collaboration cluster with strong interests in subjects that are conceptual and global in scope. The collaboration clustering analysis revealed an influence of some colonial languages of as a basis for forging strong collaboration between African and non-African countries. On the other hand, African countries tend to collaborate more with countries in their regions. Lastly, human computer interaction and library and information science history subject classifications were almost nonexistent. It is recommended that further studies should investigate why certain subject classifications are not well represented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a bibliometric analysis of the publication patterns of indigenous knowledge in Africa. IK has always been subjected to prejudice, and the contributions made by Africa to the body of knowledge are conspicuously missing from text books for formal education and continue to remain unknown. Data for this study were collected from WoS and Scopus databases and saved into excel sheets for further analysis. The results suggest that the bulk pf IK research was done in medicinal and pharmaceutical sciences. When it comes to Library and Information Science, the researchers focus was more on the management of IK, which was motivated by the preservation role that Information science professionals must play as the custodians of knowledge generated in societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progressiveness of social media in academic libraries is the gear to achieve the libraries' objectives, particularly in term of facilities and services. In addition, academic librarians have been using social media as a key medium for marketing, communication, and collaboration. However, social media use in academic libraries, especially in developing countries, is not without controversy. Studies indicate that social networking by academic librarians is ineffective use of librarians' time and effort. The usefulness of and the hindrances in social media engagement for academic libraries in developing countries have yet to be established. For this reason, this review aims to identify the boons and the banes of social media engagement for academic libraries in developing countries in two continents, Asia and Africa. A structured literature review was conducted using methods promulgated by the Center for Reviews and Disseminations but adapted to the particular needs of this review. Various online databases were used for the review. The keywords/phrases used for the search were: social media, web 2.0, social media engagement, academic libraries, and developing countries; and after a profound scrutiny, 50 articles were found useful for the review. The result shows that there is a continued increase of published literature on social media in academic libraries in the developing countries. A substantial amount of literature emphasises the benefits of social media usefulness in academic libraries under five major themes – marketing and promotion of library services; professional/self-development;, social interaction; media sharing; and communication. A few articles express the distress in implementing social media in academic library services. The usefulness of and the hindrances in social media engagement reported in the literature should inform practicing librarians contemplating implementation of social media and guide formal social media application in library services. More so, this study will shape Library and Information Science (LIS) researchers to scope out areas of needs for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The co‐founderof African Hospital Libraries (AHL) chronicles how this charity grew from a tiny pop‐up library set up by two VSO volunteers and the hospital management team, to establishing health care library services in three provincial government referral hospitals (Makeni, Bo, Kenema) in Sierra Leone, and supporting link‐ups with a shared maternity and paediatric hospital library service in Freetown and two libraries in healthcare training institutions. She reflects on the impact that Shane Godbolt had and continues to have on the work and growth of the organisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa, in colonial times regarded as the "Dark Continent," faces many challenges, whether infrastructural, cultural, or political. Despite these challenges, countries on the continent cannot afford to be complacent. The digital divide between Africa and the Western world, with its new technological innovations, has been widening. Librarianship as a discipline is invariably affected by this divide. Since having embraced a Western model of librarianship, the question is whether there can be talk of African librarianship, or a librarianship for Africa. This conceptual dilemma is further explored by a discussion of development, the role of the library, training in library and information science (LIS), the relationship between librarianship and information science, and imperatives for the future. While it is acknowledged that new information technologies are important for development, this should not be embraced at the expense of traditional values of librarianship. It is argued that precolonial Africa has had a rich heritage of library scholarship; perhaps a rethink of this is needed, as well as a critical theory in LIS, for an understanding of an African-centered approach to librarianship instead of adopting the Western model, as has been the case for decades. It is therefore imperative to prevent LIS isolationism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this paper is on library development in contemporary African society. A discussion of library development in the context of countries now enjoying rapid economic development is attempted here. Focusing on countries undergoing rapid economic development brings an alternative perspective to an analysis of library development in Africa and helps us to understand not only what is lacking but also what is going well as a basis for future development. The paper is divided into three parts: one that considers the contemporary landscape of librarianship in Africa; one that describes the characteristics of African society; and one that concerns the major role that information and communication technologies (ICTs) have played in the renaissance of libraries in Africa. Several drivers of change in African library development stand out--most notably: 1) the achievement of stronger economic circumstances; 2) the increased prevalence of ICTs and access to the internet; 3) expanded public awareness of the value of libraries in society; and 4) partnership between the new generation of government leaders and partner agencies that are more focused on social impact than maintaining influence and dominance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Library development in Africa has involved large-scale processes of innovation and policy transfer, also referred to as policy borrowing or policy learning. A good deal of theory has been developed in various disciplines to study these processes. This has not been applied in library and information services (LIS) to any significant extent, but it can help us to gain a better understanding of why attempts to transfer new ideas fail, how to select the ideas we want to transfer, and how to improve the chances of successful innovation and policy transfer. This paper places policy transfer within the broader framework of the diffusion of innovations before considering what we can learn from the theory of policy transfer and related processes, with emphasis on theory developed in comparative education. An attempt is made to apply these insights to library development in Africa and draw some lessons for African library decision makers. Some of the examples are drawn from the author's experience in the South African library profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African librarians need to embrace enormous changes in technology and in social and economic circumstances during the course of their careers, but the methods that the profession should use to renew itself are not clear. At present the emphasis is on the possession of diplomas and degrees, but there is no special reason to believe that adding a second (master's) degree to a bachelor's in LIS appreciably increases the professional expertise of an individual library worker. Furthermore, the PhD (now increasingly sought) is a research degree and of debatable relevance for most kinds of higher library posts. It is argued in this paper that continuing professional development (CPD) is more capable of delivering the necessary new skills and professional orientation. The profession, through its library associations, needs to discuss the problems of career development with policymakers; persuade employers to modify their qualification-based appointment and promotion requirements; and encourage and support professional associations in providing more CPD opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper traces the important developments in school librarianship in South Africa since 2007, during which time the drive to address huge backlogs in school library provision has gained momentum--largely, it argues, from the intersections of two phenomena: the Library and Information Services (LIS) Transformation Charter, and Equal Education, a civic-action NGO campaigning on behalf of school libraries. South African youth face daunting challenges, and their schooling is perhaps where the heritage of apartheid is most visible. The lack of libraries, it is argued, has undermined the attempts at curricular reform since the late 1990s. The daunting backlogs in school library provision mean that innovative models of service will be needed that cut across existing divisions. Given the impact of the lack of school libraries on all sectors of LIS, the paper examines the recommendations in the LIS Transformation Charter that South African US should turn to the concept of ecosystem to provide the framework for concerted action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African librarianship has its roots in the colonial era, with colonial powers developing excellent library infrastructure with commensurate services in anticipation of their protracted stay in Africa. However, libraries were alien to African communities, which had a very strong oral tradition and used such a tradition to share information and knowledge. The "un-African" library infrastructure was challenged by some leading African scholars, who argued that there has to be a system of librarianship that delivers on African realities and imperatives. This paper interrogates the need to transform the concept of African librarianship in search of a path that addresses African imperatives; it also examines the need to separate the relic in pursuit of reconceptualization. There is little doubt that there is a need for, at the least, a hybrid--that is, incorporating the best from the colonial era with that which is African, such as the oral tradition--that would result in the transposition of concepts to create a new, relevant, effective, and efficient form of librarianship--namely, librarianship in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community libraries in Africa are growing in number, and are increasingly subject to academic research. The literature on community libraries spans 30 years, and this review shows how there has been a shift from conceptual to empirical publications. The early, conceptual literature stressed that community libraries should be by and for the community, support development, actively reach out, and provide relevant materials. These publications can to some extent be seen as reactions to the colonial legacy that national library services carried on after independence. The empirical research was analyzed using Kuhlthau's (1999) framework for school libraries as a starting point. The major function of this framework is to provide a meta-analysis of the research, and further to relate this meta-analysis to the larger context in which this research is situated. The empirical literature reported mainly on student use. Much of the literature addressed lower-level issues, skills and outcomes, such as materials offered or borrowed, increased reading, and change in attitudes. However, limited attention was given to utilisation as an outcome. Attempts to find a causal relationship between library use and improved grades have been inconclusive. A major limitation of this framework is that it does not address the community aspect of these libraries that the empirical literature emphasized. This dual aspect of community libraries merits further exploration, and there is a need to develop theoretical frameworks that fit better with the realities of African communities and their libraries. There is also need for more research comparing community libraries across countries as well as within countries. The scholarly significance of this study is that is provides a comprehensive, critical review of the literature on community libraries in Africa and identifies caveats in the research literature. This will support future research on community libraries in Africa, an under-researched area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the last of three articles based on a series of articles published in the Health Information and Libraries Journal's Regular Feature (International Perspectives and Initiatives). Key trends from 12 countries in Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia were identified. In this issue, the last five trends are considered: (1) Participation in collaborations, networks, partnerships, social networks; (2) Repurposing library space; (3) Focus on user experience; (4) Impact of technology on the provision of services; and (5) Engaging with the public. Readers are challenged to compare these trends with their own experiences., (© 2022 Health Libraries Group.)