South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science

Security measures for digital archives curated through open-source software in South Africa

Mahlatse Shekgola — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 16:18:59 +0000

The dominance of colonial supremacy and foreign knowledge has become persistent in many African public libraries and knowledge acquisition, including Ghana. Hence, some of the local communities' information needs may be denied due to public libraries' inability to supply indigenous knowledge (IK). This study, therefore, sought to assess the documentation and integration of IK in public libraries in Ghana. This study adopted the interpretive research paradigm using a qualitative case study design. Regional directors of public libraries were the target participants. Data for this study were collected with the aid of an interview guide and analysed using thematic content analysis. The study found that, generally, current collection development policies do not sufficiently cover the documentation and integration of IK in public libraries, except in a few cases. Where IK is supported, this is done at two levels: (1) Through support for the availability of IK in libraries and (2) support for staff development to deal with IK in public libraries. In addition, professional staff development, budget allocation for the purchase and provision of materials, and the creation of a conducive environment for IK owners and other patrons who wish to document IK in public libraries were revealed as the efforts put in place by public libraries to support IK documentation and integration.

Fostering sustainable university-community partnerships

Christel Marais, Karien du Bruyn — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 16:30:36 +0000

This study reflects upon four-year socially engaged scholarship efforts that led to establishing an in-house facility at a public mental healthcare centre in Gauteng, South Africa. The transformative potential of bibliotherapy was adopted to address the need for adult literacy development. Post-intervention, thirty-five female residents participated in a five-week journaling activity, reflecting on their experiences in the set context. Researchers provided guiding questions, and participants recorded their thoughts through writing or drawing. Inductive coding with MAXQDA revealed a central theme, “Bridging the divide between disconnect and re-connect,” with sub-themes including “user characteristics”, “emotional experiences”, and “coping skills”. The findings show that bibliotherapy can significantly improve users’ well-being, communication, and independence. This approach offers a cost-effective and collaborative solution in public mental healthcare, enhancing patient literacy and overall well-being. The study highlights the therapeutic benefits of reading and narrative engagement, providing valuable insights for future university-community collaborative outreach and mental healthcare practices.

Perceptions of learners and teachers on the use of information and communication technology in public primary school libraries in Highveld Ridge East circuit in Mpumalanga Province

Amos Shibambu, Nyawalusani Gloria Madima — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 16:29:28 +0000

This study explores the perceptions of learners and teachers on the utilisation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in public primary school libraries in the Highveld Ridge East Circuit of Mpumalanga Province. Anchored in the quantitative research approach, the study targeted five public primary schools equipped with some level of ICT infrastructure. Data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed to both learners and teachers who actively use library resources for teaching and learning. The findings revealed that learners generally hold highly positive perceptions of ICT use in school libraries, while teachers reported satisfaction with its integration, despite encountering persistent challenges such as limited technical training, infrastructure maintenance issues, and unreliable internet connectivity. The study underscores the importance of ICT-related skills, knowledge, and perceptions in enhancing library services, curriculum engagement, and administrative efficiency. Recommendations arising from the findings are intended to inform the effective implementation of ICT in public primary school libraries and may also serve as a reference for secondary schools seeking to improve digital library practices.

(Re)envisioning and (re)imagining roles and collaborations of the stakeholders in tackling the reading crisis in South Africa

Samuel Maredi Mojapelo — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 16:33:43 +0000

Thirty-one years into the new political dispensation, South Africa is still experiencing a reading crisis, particularly in the basic education band, where the majority of learners cannot read for meaning at their appropriate grade and age level reading norms. A myriad of contextual realities contribute to this reading crisis. The 2021 Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS) results indicate clearly that 81 per cent of learners from Grades 4 to 6 lack basic reading skills and, therefore, cannot read for meaning, which contributes to a reading crisis in the country. It is alarming that this cohort of learners cannot read with understanding, even in their own home languages (HL), such as Sepedi, isiZulu, isiXhosa and Setswana. In South Africa, the reading crisis has multiple and negative ramifications in the entire education system. Despite numerous interventions and strategies by the government through the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the situation is not improving but worsening. The purpose of the study was to investigate roles and possible collaborations that various stakeholders can play in embarking on tackling the reading crisis in the basic education band. The study adopted a literature review, which was regarded by the researchers as a qualitative research approach. A wide range of books, articles, theses, dissertations and magazines were consulted to study the roles and collaborations various stakeholders can embark on in tackling the reading crisis in the basic education band in South Africa. As the government, through the DBE, cannot be the only stakeholder responsible for tackling this impasse, the study recommends that collaborations or partnerships among the various stakeholders are essential in tackling the issue of the reading crisis in primary schools.

Documentation and integration of indigenous knowledge in public libraries for inclusive information services in Ghana

Mohammed Hardi Abdul-Rahim, Glenrose V Jiyane, Petros N Dlamini — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 16:38:17 +0000

The impact of load shedding on information organisation education in South Africa

Lethabo Ledwaba — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A well-educated and highly skilled information organisation workforce is essential in the current information environment. In South Africa, Library and Information Science (LISc) schools are entrusted with producing graduates with capabilities to organise information and make it accessible and retrievable. Load shedding is one of the major challenges that interferes with the effective education of information organisation in South Africa. To this end, this study aims to provide a contribution to the body of knowledge on the impact of loadshedding on information organisation education in South Africa. Using an interpretivist paradigm, the study employed qualitative research approach, which included semi-structured and focus group interviews. Information organisation academics and students were purposefully selected because of their responsibility in teaching and learning information organisation. The study exposed the negative impact of load shedding on the education for information organisation in South Africa such as hindering access to information organisation tools; loss of teaching and learning time; failure to submit assessments and psychological effects. The coping strategies employed to deal with the impact of load shedding include checking the load shedding schedule and use of Uninterruptible Power Supply and rooftop solar photovoltaic systems. Various recommendations are provided such as provision of portable power banks to students, investment in green energy by universities and subsidising households to install rooftop solar photovoltaic systems.

Will artificial intelligence replace human librarians?

Josiline Chigwada, Patrick Ngulube — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores whether artificial intelligence (AI) will replace human librarians, offering an analysis of the evolving role of librarianship in the AI era. The rapid advancement of AI technologies has transformed various industries, and libraries are no exception. AI-powered tools can now perform many traditional library functions such as cataloguing, reference services, and collection management more efficiently and accurately. This has sparked a debate on the potential of AI to replace human librarians. Through expert opinions from 43 librarians, the study examines the capabilities and limitations of AI in library settings, highlighting areas where AI excels and falls short. It argues that while AI can enhance the efficiency of routine tasks, it lacks the contextual understanding, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking necessary for complex information needs, personalized user interactions, and ethical decision-making that librarians provide. The study concludes that rather than replacing librarians, AI will likely serve as a collaborative tool, enabling librarians to focus on more specialized and value-added services such as information literacy education, digital scholarship, and community engagement. The study calls for reimagining the role of librarians in the AI era, emphasizing the importance of upskilling and integrating AI tools to augment, rather than replace, human expertise in libraries.

Academic libraries in Africa

Dina Mokgadi Mashiyane, Collence Takaingenhamo Chisita — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

“All shook up”

Mpho Ngoepe — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000