Ghana Library Journal

Editorial

Monica Mensah Danquah — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I am pleased to present Volume 29, Issue 2 of the Ghana Library Journal . This marks the sixth issue under my tenure as Editor-in-Chief, which began in July 2022. I am also delighted to share that the Ghana Library Journal has been successfully indexed in the prestigious Asian Scientific Citation Index (ASCI) Database. This accomplishment is a testament to the journal’s dedication to academic excellence and its impactful contributions to the field. I extend my deepest gratitude to the editorial board members for their unwavering support, to our diligent reviewers, and especially to our contributors for selecting this journal as a platform for their research findings.

Beauty from ashes: aftermath of fire disaster in University of Jos Library, Jos-Nigeria

Grace Iyabo , Victor Chuks — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study was on a real-life fire incident in a university library. The study was designed to investigate the aftermath of a fire disaster in the library. The qualitative case study was adopted as the research design. Data were obtained from the mass media (online newspapers), websites, textbooks and interviews with a few library staff through a purposive sampling. Narrative analysis was adopted to explore the meanings behind the statements extracted from the data. By examining the statements, valuable conclusions were extracted about the fire disaster and its aftermath. Among the study’s findings, it was revealed that the fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault. Also, it was revealed that nothing could be salvaged from the library after the disaster because most of the resources and facilities were burnt to ashes. Findings also revealed that the University launched the operation “Beauty from ashes” to raise funds to restore the library. Moreover, findings showed that it took about three years for the library to be restored; the library has taken some precautionary steps towards averting the recurrence of the disaster. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that: the Library Management should locate and study the disaster management plan of the library; the content of the disaster plan should be strictly implemented; more fire-fighting equipment should be acquired in the library; the library staff and some volunteer members of the University community should be educated about the functions of the fire-fighting equipment; they should also be trained on how to use the equipment. Finally, it was recommended that periodic drills be organised for some volunteer staff of the library, and other volunteer members of the University community as part of disaster preparedness in the library.

Cultivating a Lifelong Learning for Reading: A Conceptual Framework for Enhancing Children’s Literacy Through Community Libraries in Uganda

Mary Nalumansi, Sarah Kaddu — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: This paper investigated the current status of reading among children within the Nambi Sseppuuya
Community Resource Centre in Uganda in relation to their reading requirements, reading profile and the difficulties encountered when learning to read.

Methods: This study was conducted in line with an interpretivist paradigm and a qualitative case study research approach. Focus group discussions were conducted with 80 children between the ages 6 to 13 years. Pattern matching analysis was also conducted to help establish patterns regarding noteworthy findings from the data.

Findings: The study showed that having access to reading materials of all types, read aloud activities, and parental involvement are key components of good literacy skills. However, factors like limited access to quality reading materials, language issues, and location of the library hamper effective learning of literacy. From the observations, children urged parents to provide books in their native languages and interesting books to create reading interest.

Practical Implications: The study suggested that more free or low cost books and books in different languages should be made available, and most importantly, reading environments should be put in place to encourage the habit of reading. Further, the paper presents the Community Library-Driven Reading Culture Framework (CL-DRCF) to overcome the identified challenges towards enhancing the literacy engagement among children at the resource centre.

The Integration of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Academic Libraries Within Ghana

Silas Adjei, Isaac Kojo Agyeman — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents substantial opportunities to advance library operations and user experiences.
However, its integration in academic libraries in Ghana has been relatively unexplored. This study investigates
the adoption and implementation of AI tools in academic libraries within Ghana, employing a quantitative approach. Focusing on library staff from the University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science
and Technology (KNUST), and the University of Cape Coast (UCC), the research sampled 40% of the total population of 450 staff members, resulting in a sample size of 180. Findings indicate that AI-driven search engines and automated cataloging are the most widely adopted tools. UCC shows a broader adoption of AI applications, including chatbots and AI-based recommender systems, while predictive analytics remains less common. The study highlights key factors for successful AI implementation: adequate funding, staff training, technical support, and user acceptance. Despite concerns about job displacement and the necessity for policy adjustments, librarians view AI as a valuable asset for enhancing library services and user engagement. The study underscores the need for academic libraries to prioritize securing resources, investing in staff training, and updating policies to effectively integrate AI technologies and address the evolving demands of library users.

Knowledge Needs and Seeking Processes of Librarians of Academic Institutions in Ghana

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research study delves into the knowledge needs and seeking processes of librarians within the academic
institutions of Ghana. The primary objectives of this investigation were to identify the knowledge needs of library staff, scrutinize the knowledge seeking processes employed by librarians, and uncover the challenges hindering librarians’ knowledge acquisition. A quantitative research methodology was employed to gather and analyze data, providing valuable insights into the knowledge dynamics within the Ghanaian academic library community. The findings of this study unveiled that the knowledge needs of library staff are primarily centered around two key areas: professional development within the library field and the acquisition of information and communication technology (ICT) skills, as well as research skills. These knowledge needs reflect the evolving
roles of librarians as they adapt to the digital age and strive to provide enhanced services to their academic
communities. Regarding the knowledge seeking processes adopted by librarians, the research revealed a multifaceted approach. Librarians actively pursue knowledge through strategies such as attending workshops,
seeking advice from experienced colleagues, engaging in reading materials, and watching instructional videos. Additionally, many librarians choose to pursue further studies to deepen their expertise, indicating a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. However, the study also brought to light several
challenges faced by librarians in their knowledge seeking endeavors. Notable challenges included financial
constraints, which hindered access to training opportunities, as well as a lack of motivation among some library staff. Furthermore, the absence of structured Knowledge Management (KM) policies within academic institutions was identified as a substantial impediment to effective knowledge sharing and utilisation. In light of these findings, it was recommended that the management of academic institutions in Ghana take proactive measures to address these challenges. To enhance the knowledge and skills of library staff, appropriate training programmemes should be developed and made readily available. Furthermore, the establishment of comprehensive KM policies is essential to guide and facilitate the knowledge activities within libraries, fostering
a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Library Services in Universities: A Bibliometric Analysis

Ankamah Samuel , Prince Yaw Vidza, Benjamin Nana Addo — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies presents a transformative opportunity for library
services, particularly within African universities. This study employed a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to map the trends and patterns and the impact of AI in enhancing library services in African universities. A total of
616 datasets from Scopus (Elsevier), spanning from inception to 2023, were extracted, analysed, and visualised
using tools like MS Excel, Harzing’s Publish or Perish, and VOSviewer. An information specialist crafted the requisite keywords and verified the final search strategy. The results indicate an increasing trend in publications
focused on AI’s role in enhancing library services within African universities. China, the United States, India, and
Nigeria are the most influential countries in this research domain, contributing 162 (23.41%), 132 (19.08%),
32 (4.62%), and 26 (3.76%) publications, respectively. Wuhan University of Technology emerged as the most
influential institution, with seven (2%) publications. Citation analysis highlighted S. Gupta and S.K. Gupta (2019) and A.M. Cox et al. (2019) as the most cited articles in this field, with 147 and 130 citations, respectively. Keywords analysis revealed that “university libraries”, “libraries”, “data mining”, and “artificial intelligence” were the most frequently used author keywords, appearing in 171 (7.63%), 168 (7.49%), 120 (5.35%), and 117 (5.22%) publications, respectively. Co-occurrence analysis identified six clusters of interconnected concepts, thematically organised around libraries, data mining, academic libraries, artificial intelligence, deep learning, and machine learning. The results reveal a growing interest in AI-driven solutions for cataloguing, digital resource management, user interaction, and predictive analytics, highlighting both the benefits and challenges faced by African university libraries. The study concludes with practical recommendations for policymakers and library managers to optimise AI adoption and suggests avenues for future research to further enhance library services on the continent.