Setting up an Information Resource Centre and the management of indigenous knowledge at the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre

Abstract

This paper discusses the setting up of an Information Resource Centre at the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre of the University of Botswana. It systematically outlines activities involved in the creation of an organised collection of information that has accumulated over the years in order to provide access for researchers. The paper further points out the significance of the inclusion of indigenous knowledge sources in such an Information Resource Centre in its future development plans. It also explains how such indigenous knowledge will be captured and in what form; how it will be organised; how the knowledge sources will be stored; how electronic bibliographic databases will be created and managed, and how worldwide access of such information will be facilitated. Finally, the paper also highlights challenges and limitations to this endeavour and emphasises that such a task would best be achieved by a multi-disciplinary approach that would involve not only information professionals but also other professionals.