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This paper reports the findings of a study on information literacy (IL) skills and competencies of nursing students at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Malawi. This study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design. The population for this study was nursing students of Kamuzu University of Health Sciences. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through an online questionnaire that contained closed- and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics in the form of charts, graphs, and relative frequencies. Qualitative data, on the other hand, were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that nursing students received several IL programme offerings that included on-campus IL sessions organised by the library, curriculumembedded IL programmes, and library instructional sessions. The findings further indicate that most students used Google as their primary source of information, while library subscription databases were minimally used. Besides wanting to learn the citation and referencing styles and how to avoid plagiarism, students wanted to learn how to find and evaluate information. The respondents recommended that IL skills be embedded in the nursing curriculum to make them more effective. This paper provides lessons to health-related institutions that may be planning on revamping their IL programme offerings to make them more relevant to students. The current study advocates for a more systematic approach in which IL should be part of the curriculum developed and offered by librarians in collaboration with faculty members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to look at the state, adoption and use of ICTs by students and academic staff at Mzuzu University. Design/methodology/approach: The research used a survey method whose study population included students, academic and library staff. Data for the study were collected using an interview guide and questionnaires. Findings: The research found out the state of ICTs at Mzuzu University was poor. In spite of this, adoption and use of ICTs was high. ICTs were mainly used for academic-related word processing tasks, including internet access. However, most of the respondents used personal laptop computers connected to an MTL/TNM/AIRTEL dongle, a personal GSM phone, or commercial internet cybercafes off campus to access the internet. The university network was not used much. Obstacles to the adoption and use of ICTs included poor network infrastructure, the limited number of computers, the high cost of internet access, persistent power outages, and the lack of relevant ICT skills, among others. Research limitations/implications: The study did not involve postgraduate students because many of them pursue their studies by research, and hence they could have been difficult to contact. Adjunct academic members of staff were also excluded because of anticipated accessibility challenges. The findings of this study, therefore, may not necessarily apply to these groups. Practical implications: The paper makes some recommendations, which, if acted upon by Mzuzu University management, would help improve the state of ICTs at the institution. Originality/value: Malawi is a country that has generally lagged behind other countries in terms of ICT adoption and use. However, the magnitude of the problem, especially in institutions of higher learning, is relatively unknown owing to the lack of research undertakings in the field. This paper is therefore valuable because it gives a clear picture of the situation on the ground, and also suggests ways of how the problems faced could be solved. (Contains 8 figures and 8 tables.)

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the provision of library services to people with disabilities in Malawi. A mixed methodology was used as the research design. All participating libraries (fifty-six) were sampled to participate in the survey while fourteen students with disabilities (one from each institution, where possible) were purposively chosen to be interviewed. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires whilst qualitative data were collected through interview guides. Quantitative data was analysed using Microsoft Excel while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The paper highlights the lack of library and information services to disabled people and acknowledges possible barriers. The study has revealed lack of equipment to support disabled access to library and information resources. Similarly, despite an increase in the number of people with disabilities, the majority of the libraries do not offer specialised training such as induction sessions or market services that cater for those with disabilities. The study, among other suggestions, recommends that equipment deemed necessary for people with disabilities (such as Braille books) be procured. Libraries should also take necessary steps to address accessibility challenges faced by people with disabilities when using their libraries. Libraries should take further steps to either introduce or enhance services that cater for people with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings of a study that was conducted to find out the employment prospects of Mzuzu University (Mzuni) library and information science (LIS) graduates. Design/methodology/approach - The study made use of a survey designehil it was mainly quantitative in nature. A census of all LIS graduates from 2006 to 2013 was taken. The study also purposely sampled some major employers of LIS graduates. Self completion questionnaires were administered to both study groups by the researcher personally, and also through emails. Data were collected between September and October 2013, and SPSS was used to analyse the data. Findings from the two questionnaires were discussed in relation to prevailing literature in the field. Findings - The study established that there are few job opportunities for LIS graduates in the library sector. This came about because libraries have not taken deliberate steps to recruit LIS graduates while opportunities in the private sector were limited. Consequently, some LIS graduates were unemployed, while the majority had taken up alternative jobs. Nevertheless, LIS graduates had the requisite skills and attributes required for the job. Absence of a career structure for LIS professionals in the public sector, failure to recognise role of librarians and LIS qualifications and lack of training opportunities were some of the challenges which LIS graduates faced. Research limitations/implications - The study covers all LIS graduates who graduated from Mzuni between 2006 and 2013. However, lack of updated contact information means that the researcher had challenges to reach out to most of the graduates save for those working in the major libraries. Furthermore, a good number of the graduates did not respond to the questionnaire sent, particularly those who graduated from the generic programme. This led to a lower than anticipated response rate. This implies that some of the study findings may have some bias towards the LIS graduates in the mature group. Practical implications - The research findings have a big bearing on policy formulation and decision making in government, the public and private sector players, professional associations and LIS training institutions. Originality/value - No formal studies have been done to determine the employment prospects for Mzuni LIS graduates ever since the diploma and degree programmes were launched. This research is, therefore, the first of its kind, and could help shape the future of the programmes in terms of curriculum content and methods of delivery. Recommendations made could also help the Malawi Library Association, the Mzuni's Department of Library and Information Science, and relevant government ministries and departments to come up with appropriate interventions to the challenges being faced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of social networking sites (SNSs) by mass media organisations in Malawi. Design/methodology/approach – The research was a survey that was carried out amongst mass media organisations in Malawi. It mainly employed quantitative methods. Data were collected through a combination of mailed and self-administered questionnaires. Findings – The research established that SNSs were popularly used by mass media organisations in Malawi such that 20 (87 per cent) of the mass media organisations had SNS pages. Facebook was the most commonly used SNS although Twitter was also used. Mass media organisations benefited from using SNSs through increased listenership/readership, and soliciting of feedback which helped improve service offering. However, few mass media organisations registered increased business activity through the use of SNSs. Challenges associated with using SNSs were limited ICT penetration in Malawi, distraction of employees' attention at work, and there was also a concern that not many people interact on SNSs. Research limitations/implications – Despite registering an overall high response rate of 74 per cent, the response rate amongst other media categories especially the community radio broadcasters was generally poor. In fact only one out of the four organisations responded to the questionnaires. This entails that the study may have not adequately presented a true picture of organisations within this category. So although the study findings reflect the prevailing situation amongst mass media organisations in Malawi in relation to their use of SNSs, they may not holistically apply to organisations within the community radio category. Practical implications – A number of studies have shown that radio listenership and television viewership are dwindling. At the same time, audiences and attention are shifting to online channels. This research, therefore, recommends that mass media organisations should continue using SNSs so as to capture this audience, and also to remain relevant in the modern society. Originality/value – Being a relatively new area of research, the study has provided unique knowledge about the use, benefits and challenges of the application of SNSs among mass media organisations in Malawi. Consequently, this has brought to light the use of SNSs as an opportunity which other private and public institutions could take advantage of, as a means of enhancing their operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The aim of this research was to study collection development practices in some selected private university libraries in Malawi with special focus on University of Livingstonia and Adventist University Libraries. Design/methodology/approach – This research employed a case study approach that made use of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data were collected using interview guides and coding schedules. Interviews were conducted with university librarians of the two institutions. Self-administered questionnaires were administered to the Finance Officers and University Librarians of the institutions covered by the study to collect financial statistics and data relating to collection development. Qualitative data were analysed thematically while quantitative data were analysed using Ms Excel. Findings – Findings of the study indicated that private university libraries in this study are funded mainly by parent institutions. Funding is not adequate as is the case with public university libraries in the country. This had adversely affected collection development practices that include purchase of materials and staff training. The two institutions, however, differed in terms of the other collection development activities they undertook, and magnitude of the challenges they faced, something that was attributed to slight difference in terms of funding they got from parent institutions. Practical implications – The study sheds light on the collection development practices of University of Livingstonia Library and Adventist University Library, and challenges facing them. Some of these findings mirror those of other libraries not only in this sector, but also public university libraries in the country. Suggestions on how the collection development challenges facing the two libraries could be tackled have been made. It is hoped that the suggestions made could benefit other libraries who find themselves in a similar situation, if implemented. The study findings could also inform future researchers venturing in the same field. Originality/value – Very little is known about the collection development practices of private university libraries not only in Malawi but the world at large owing to lack of significant research undertaken on the topic. This study is, therefore, significant because its findings fill up the existing knowledge gap. If acted on, recommendations made could also help solve some of the challenges that are being faced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to look at the state, adoption and use of ICTs by students and academic staff at Mzuzu University. Design/methodology/approach – The research used a survey method whose study population included students, academic and library staff. Data for the study were collected using an interview guide and questionnaires. Findings – The research found out the state of ICTs at Mzuzu University was poor. In spite of this, adoption and use of ICTs was high. ICTs were mainly used for academic-related word processing tasks, including internet access. However, most of the respondents used personal laptop computers connected to an MTL/TNM/AIRTEL dongle, a personal GSM phone, or commercial internet cybercafés off campus to access the internet. The university network was not used much. Obstacles to the adoption and use of ICTs included poor network infrastructure, the limited number of computers, the high cost of internet access, persistent power outages, and the lack of relevant ICT skills, among others. Research limitations/implications – The study did not involve postgraduate students because many of them pursue their studies by research, and hence they could have been difficult to contact. Adjunct academic members of staff were also excluded because of anticipated accessibility challenges. The findings of this study, therefore, may not necessarily apply to these groups. Practical implications – The paper makes some recommendations, which, if acted upon by Mzuzu University management, would help improve the state of ICTs at the institution. Originality/value – Malawi is a country that has generally lagged behind other countries in terms of ICT adoption and use. However, the magnitude of the problem, especially in institutions of higher learning, is relatively unknown owing to the lack of research undertakings in the field. This paper is therefore valuable because it gives a clear picture of the situation on the ground, and also suggests ways of how the problems faced could be solved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to determine the impact of the global economic crisis on University of Malawi Libraries and Mzuzu University Library. Design/methodology/approach – A case study methodology was adopted, and data were collected using both interview guides and questionnaires. Findings – Findings show that libraries in this study were not affected much by the global economic crisis. Budgets of the libraries had registered steady increments, and this had positively impacted on collection development activities, staff recruitment and training, infrastructure development, and internal and external travels etc. Effects of the economic crisis, though minor, were evident by the stagnation of some college budgets and absence of scholarships for training abroad. Research limitations/implications – The study covered four of the five libraries in the University of Malawi namely the Polytechnic, College of Medicine, Bunda College, Kamuzu College of Nursing and Mzuzu University. Chancellor College Library did not participate because the researcher faced challenges in getting permission from authorities. So much as the results do give a general picture of libraries under the University of Malawi, the findings may not necessarily apply to Chancellor College Library. Originality/value – In light of the findings, libraries were encouraged to strengthen existing income generating activities, and also explore other ways of generating revenue to cover for shortfalls in the budget that may be prompted by withdrawal of donor funds and cuts in government subvention should the global economic crisis persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]