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The article explores the recent experiences encountered by the Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) Library, Zimbabwe in the daily operations of its institutional repository (IR) with emphasis on security and ethical issues. It examines the present scenario in the management of the IR. BUSE Library set up an IR to archive and enable access to the university's scholarly research output. The account profiles the recent challenges encountered by the library as it manages its institutional repository. There are legal and ethical issues undermining the security and ethical use of the BUSE IR, for example, cyber threats and unauthorised access. The poor performance of the network firewall has exposed the IR server to cyber-attacks. The ethical challenges relate to plagiarism and predatory publishers who prey on researchers whose work is hosted on the IR. The article recommends measures to enhance security and overcome challenges in the management of the IR.

Purpose: The study aims to assess the views of archives and records management (ARM) professionals in Eswatini about massive open online courses (MOOCs). The purpose of this study is to explore the potential of MOOCs as open gateways for ongoing learning opportunities to scholars, institutions and academics across the globe. It explores the challenges of providing MOOCs in a developing country such as Eswatini. Design/methodology/approach: The study was anchored on the interpretive research paradigm and adopted a qualitative research methodology. The study used maximum variation sampling to identify individuals that would constitute the research sample. The rationale behind this sampling is to obtain participants with a shared experience within a phenomenon but who have some demographic variance. Findings: The findings revealed that there was lack of awareness of the potential of MOOCs in revolutionizing the delivery of ARM courses in Eswatini. The findings support the need for higher education institutions in Eswatini to adopt MOOCs to deliver ARM courses. The study revealed that access to internet connectivity was among the key inhibitors undermining the adaptation of MOOCs for the delivery of ARM courses in Eswatini. Originality/value: The novelty of the study is that it brings into the limelight the factors that impede the adaptation of MOOCs for the delivery of ARM courses in Eswatini. It brings into focus the challenges encountered by ARM institutions in Eswatini in moving towards a MOOC-centric mode of course delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of public libraries in the twenty-first century will depend on prioritizing access to information through the provision of space to spur inclusive development. Public libraries in Harare are struggling to provide for the diverse and dynamic needs of users. This is evidenced by the high number of school-going users frequenting these places because of the limited number of well-resourced school libraries especially in marginalised communities. Public libraries are providing for the information needs of communities and schools in order to enhance inclusivity. It has become imperative for public librarians to rethink, reinvent, and re-profile their services to meet the growing, diverse, and dynamic needs of users. The article explores the extent to which public libraries can incorporate cultural responsive services for the benefit of users. It will examine how public libraries can rethink and reconfigure their services and space to accommodate inter-cultural and inter-generational dialogue. It will recommend strategies for balanced inclusivity in the accessibility of public library services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article probes security and ethical issues encountered by the library of the Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), Zimbabwe, in the daily operations of its institutional repository (IR). The digital era has resulted in innovative scholarly publishing and communication models that are transforming the teaching, learning, and research landscape on a global scale. The study employed a qualitative approach to generate descriptive data on security and ethical challenges experienced at BUSE library. Research data were collected through document analysis of existing library reports, reports from the library's information and communication technology (ICT) staff, and focus group discussions. The research population was drawn from library ICT staff and librarians. BUSE library established an IR for the purposes of archiving and enabling open access to its scholarly output. The study revealed that there were legal and ethical issues undermining the security and ethical use of the BUSE IR, particularly cyber threats and unauthorised access. The study makes recommendations on how to overcome the challenges in order to enhance the security of the IR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of libraries in any country is critical for its socio-economic transformation, especially in the 21st century where access to information and knowledge has become the key factor in production. In support of this thinking, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) launched its Global Vision project in 2017, which has attracted the participation of over 190 countries worldwide. For most nations, this project has indeed created platforms for championing strong and united library associations that contribute towards developing literate, informed and participative societies. A number of countries in Africa have taken the initiative to participate in the IFLA Global Vision project, and Zimbabwe is no exception. This article seeks to examine the challenges and opportunities for Zimbabwe as a participant. It also scrutinises the road travelled by librarians in Zimbabwe in their pursuit of a vision to reposition their libraries in the global library landscape. The article studies the factors affecting the development of a unified library sector in Zimbabwe. In addition, it explores how Zimbabwe's national professional association, the Zimbabwe Library Association (ZIMLA), can unite librarians and contribute towards the IFLA Global Vision for a unified library profession. The article proposes a strategy to enhance unity among library professionals for the actualisation of the IFLA Global Vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic Thesis and Dissertations (ETD) have been around for more than a decade now and were initiated as a means of collecting, sharing, disseminating, and archiving research outputs from academic institutions. Even before ETDs, institutions of higher learning have been collecting and archiving this type of scholarly outputs manually. While most thesis remain unpublished, this knowledge produced is almost constant as it is (in most universities) a requirement when research students graduate. In sub-Saharan Africa, it has been established that there is low research output when compared to the rest of the world. Yet, there are many universities in Africa who produce post-graduate students who submit ETDs and these are not visible or most never turn into research papers. As in the rest of this world, African universities have established institutional repositories in academic libraries to help preserve the institution’s intellectual property and to increase the institution’s visibility (global rankings) and prestige. It is uncommon to have either a dedicated ETD collection in an institutional repository or a stand-alone ETD repository. This purpose of this study was to establish the research output and visibility of scholarly research produced by the higher education institutions in South Africa and specifically focus on the ETDs. This study has both qualitative and employs pre-dominantly the desk-study and intensive literature review. The study discovered that all 23 South African universities have ETD collections and three have dedicated ETD repositories. The rate of deposit does not match the graduation levels and the visibility of these ETD require an institutional priority. The paper concludes by proposing an in-depth survey to understand the emerging issues from this present study. This is the first part of the 2-part study, the second part interviews the ETD managers or repository managers to closely verify the issues raised or discovered in the first part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports omnthe challenges in the development of the library and information science profession in Zimbabwe. It indicates that many information professionals left the country for other parts of the world, while others left the profession and went into business and inforpreneurialism. It highlights the formation of the Progressive Africa Library and Information Activists (PALIACT-Zim) aimed at promoting the library and information profession.