Academic Libraries Participating in Promoting Open Science

 

Open Science, the movement to enhance accessibility to scientific information at all levels of society through collaborative networks, has impacted the crucial role academic libraries play in the area of information sharing, hence there is an ever-growing emphasis on new innovations which aim to encourage access to and networking of information and skills. In the period of 30 years of democracy there have been new developments to promote Open Science in libraries, such as digitisation and dissemination of information largely through institutional repositories, use of artificial intelligence (AI), collaboration between academic libraries and the growth of a personalised librarian service.

The creation of the African Open Science Platform (AOSP) in 2017, hosted by the National Research Foundation aims to develop policy, governance, enabling practices and institutional frameworks to support the development and deployment of Open Science in South African higher education institutions. The focus is to prioritise capacity building through networking, infrastructure capacitation and a federated system for researchers to create, deposit, manage and share data, since it has been identified that research data management and information sharing capacity are lacking in universities. In some higher institutions there is a lack of capacity and ability to coordinate information sharing of research on a local as well as a national basis. Most academic libraries are now set to kick start the implementation of Open Science in South Africa at the national level and across universities in the country.

Academic libraries are deliberately focusing on institutionalising Open Science and   Open Access Repository in South Africa. In academic libraries, there is a need to adopt formal policies and invest in appropriate infrastructure to convince researchers to support this initiative and record progress in their research.

According to Ngulube (2024) the Open Science movement is on the same trajectory regarding the need to share knowledge, irrespective of the origin as envisaged in the pronouncements made by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),  International Communication Association (ICA) and International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

 

However, many issues and difficulties arise when managing institutional knowledge in a digitised environment. The Open Science movement recognises access to information as a basic human right, and asserts that access should be equitable and fair.  The underlying principle of the Open Science movement is that data should be findable, accessible, interoperable and usable.

Open access publishing offers wide benefits to the scholarly community and may also afford relief to financially embattled academic libraries. The progress of the open access model rests upon the acceptance and validation of open access journals and open archives or institutional repositories by the academic mainstream, particularly by publishing researchers.

In addition, open access publishing offers wide-ranging benefits to the scholarly community and may also afford relief to financially embattled academic libraries. The progress of the open access model rests upon the acceptance and validation of open access journals and open archives or institutional repositories by mainstream academia and particularly by publishing researchers (Fullard, 2007). Faculty librarians can act as change agents by informing and advocating for open access within the departments they serve.

 

In South Africa, libraries are progressively establishing the foundation for enhanced services, achieving varying degrees of success. This evolution includes formulating policies, building infrastructure, training library staff, and conducting awareness and advocacy campaigns aimed at academic staff and researchers. However, these efforts are met with challenges, such as limited resources and infrastructure, as well as a notable scarcity of data management skills among library personnel.

 

The University of KwaZulu-Natal has an achievement on the digitisation of information for easy access to the users. The university academics are publishing their journals in the open access to promote easy access of the information. The university is enhancing library services by integrating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to automate repetitive tasks and streamline operations.

 

In conclusion, South African academic libraries have made significant progress in facilitating user access to information in a convenient and free manner. This advancement has notably enhanced the quality of education, ensuring users no longer face obstacles in their information search. A prime example of this is the University of KwaZulu-Natal's investment in an extensive collection of e-books, ensuring everyone can easily access the information they need.

 

Bibliography

Chiware, E., & Mathe, Z. (2015). Academic libraries' role in research data management services: A South African perspective. South African Journal of Libraries and Information

Fullard, A. (2007). South African responses to open access publishing: a survey of the research community. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 73(1), 40-50.

Ngulube, P. (2024). From Orality to Digital Assets: Managing Indigenous Knowledge in Africa in theWake of the Open Science Movement. The Serials Librarian, 1-15. 

Simon Shezi completes Two Oceans

Shorba Harkhu

Simon Shezi, a subject librarian based at the Life Sciences Library in Pietermaritzburg has just completed the Two Oceans Marathon in a time of 5:38:53. Well done Simon!  The race is run against a backdrop of spectacular scenery through places such as Chapman’s Peak, Muizenburg and Hout Bay. No wonder the Two Oceans Marathon is known as “the world's most beautiful marathon.” Simon said that the hills were a bit of a challenge, other than that he enjoyed the race and the view. Simon was part of the UKZN team. What next for Simon? He is gearing up for his second Comrades Marathon.

Simon is on the left in the photo

The impact of Artificial Intelligence on Subject Librarians in Academic Libraries

 

Ashika Pramlal

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed various industries, and academic libraries are no exception. With the advent of AI technologies, subject librarians, who traditionally played pivotal roles in curating and disseminating information, are facing both challenges and opportunities. In this blog, we’ll explore the evolving landscape of academic libraries in the age of AI and delve into the impact it has on subject librarians.

AI technologies, including machine learning algorithms, natural language processing and data analytics have revolutionized how libraries manage and deliver information. AI powered systems can analyze vast amounts of data, extract insights and enhance user experiences. In academic libraries, AI applications range from intelligent search engines and recommendations to virtual assistants and automated cataloguing tools.

Impact of AI on Subject Librarians

As AI continues to reshape the landscape of academic libraries, Subject Librarians must embrace technological innovation while upholding their core values of user-centered service, intellectual freedom and information literacy. By harnessing the power of AI to enhance resource discovery, personalized assistance and data driven decision making, subject librarians can adapt to evolving user needs and remain indispensable partners in supporting teaching, learning and research in academic institutions.

Enhanced Resource Discovery – AI driven search engines and recommendation systems empower users to discover relevant resources efficiently. This reduces the need for manual assistance in basic information retrieval. Subject Librarians can focus on more complex queries and provide specialized support tailored to individual research needs.

Data Analysis and Visualization – AI tools enable Subject Librarians to analyze usage patterns, citations and research rends within disciplines. By harnessing AI data analytics, librarians can gain valuable insights into evolving information needs of their academic communities, facilitating evidence evidence-based collection development strategies.

Personalized Assistance – Virtual assistants powered by AI, such as chatbots, offer round the clock support to library patrons. Subject Librarians can collaborate with AI systems to develop personalized LibGuides, recommend resources and address frequently asked questions to a FAQ knowledge base, thereby extending their reach and accessibility beyond traditional service hours.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite the benefits, the integration of AI poses several challenges and considerations for Subject Librarians:

Ethical Implications – AI algorithms may exhibit biases in data processing and decision-making, perpetuating existing inequalities in information access. AII tools can ensure equitable and transparent information services for all users.

Skills Development – Subject Librarians need to acquire new skills in AI technologies, data analysis and information visualization to effectively leverage AI tools in their professional practice. Continuous learning and professional development programs are essential to empower librarians in adapting to technological advancements.

User Privacy and Data Security – AI applications in academic libraries raise concerns regarding user privacy and data security. Subject Librarians must prioritize the ethical handling of sensitive information and implement robust data protection measures to safeguard user confidentiality and trust.

In conclusion, while AI presents both challenges and opportunities for subject librarians, proactive engagement with AI technologies can empower librarians to redefine their roles and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of academic libraries in the digital age.

 

South African Library Week 2024

By Jillian Viljoen

The UKZN PMB Main Library hosted South African Library Week with lively festivities from 18-24 March. The theme of the week was ‘Libraries foster social cohesion’. There were song competitions throughout each day with many prizes being handed out. A snippet of a popular song was played over the intercom and the first student to identify the song and singer got a prize. This created a lot of excitement and interest in the program and the library as a whole. Some students said that they had no idea that they could have fun in the library. There was also a range of guest speakers from various departments on campus. Some students mentioned that they learned a lot from the guest speakers and enjoyed engaging in the talks. All participants conveyed their appreciation for being included in the program and for the library being used to highlight the services of various campus departments. Freebies were handed out to attendees at the talks, which were a hit with the students.

 

The winners of our song competitions:

To add to the celebrations, we had a dance competition where 6 students participated enthusiastically. It was very exciting.

The winners of the dance competition, with Dr Nonhlanhla Ngcobo in the middle:

The various guest speakers discussed the services which they provide and they included the theme of South African Library Week “Libraries Foster Social Cohesion”.

The guest speakers:

Some of the attendees at the talks:

Many entries were received for the competition on the library resources, based on the online training sessions offered between 4-16 March. With so many correct entries, it was a pity that there could be only 5 winners.

Four of the winners of the library resources competition:

The fifth winner was Ms Aamina Danka.

The library is a source of information for assignments and research but it is also a place where we can engage in discussions on various topics. South African Library Week was a platform for social engagement in the library and we had loads of fun in the process. Have a look at the pics and judge for yourself. Hope you will join us next year for another exciting program.