The role of the Web in meeting information needs of librarians in African universities

A Seminar presented by Elizabeth Abena Prempeh.
Odyssey Group workshop on Information Access for Africa Wednesday 29th August 2001,
Centre for Social Policy Studies, University of Ghana..

My name is Elizabeth Abena Prempeh. Abena is the name given to girls born on Tuesday.

I had my primary and secondary education at the Central region. I went to O.L.A boarding school at Elmina for my primary education and Holy Child School in Cape Coast for my secondary education. From the secondary school I went to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to read Social Sciences. My option was Sociology and Law. I did my national service at Nsutaman Secondary School in the Ashanti region and after the service I taught for some time before I entered the University of Ghana to do my second degree. I started my second degree with Post Graduate Diploma in Library Studies at the Department of Information Studies.

In 1998 I joined the Centre for Social Policy Studies (CSPS) as the librarian for the Centre and I work at the Heywood Reserve Library. I took up a part-time M. Phil degree course in Information Studies and I am in my final year.

I was happy when I learnt that there was going to be a workshop on Information Access for Africa by the Odyssey Group, because I know I will learn a lot from the workshop. Before the information age, librarians and clients have face-to-face interaction, but with information age there are different options of interactions between them. Now, librarians can use the following electronic gadgets to make information accessible to their users:

• Internet
• OPAC
• Databases
• Tele-copnferencing
• Video-tapes
• Library software

This workshop is very useful for me as it deals with information access. As a worker at CSPS, I have to help the Centre to achieve its objectives which are as follows:

• To create greater awareness on social welfare policy issues in Ghana.
• To promote participatory development of policies and service programme of action.

As a librarian, it is my duty to obtain all the materials and research papers of the Centre, preserve them and make them accessible to academics, researchers, and policy makers and professionals in the social service field.

With the use of the electronic media in libraries, now the work in the library is less laborious, because a librarian can create his or her own database, or use the CD Rom and the Internet to make information available to its numerous users. The Heyward Library uses the DataTrek Manager Series, which is a library program for its operations. With the use of the Internet in libraries and workplaces across the world, increased access to information is possible for many people throughout the world.

Today (29th August 2001) I learnt how to create my own website and a website for the library. If the library had its own website, I can put the library materials and research papers on the web for others to access. I used Microsoft FrontPage software to create the website. I can also search other websites and find information on social policies and link them to my own website, or use email to contact other librarians for further information. I can also create my own databases on the following policy areas: Family welfare Health Gender issues Ageing Environmental issues Community participation Community Welfare Labour issues Population Development.

Thank you.