Zodwa Somi | Vaal University of Technology (original) (raw)
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Papers by Zodwa Somi
South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 2013
Welcome to the one-stop library guide destination for Health Sciences students and lecturers.
Welcome to the one-stop library guide destination for Health Sciences students and lecturers.
Emerging trends in technology have changed the academic libraries' landscape and services. These ... more Emerging trends in technology have changed the academic libraries' landscape and services. These changes will forever impact and influence how libraries conduct their businesses to satisfy the most important people in their lives; that is; the customers we serve, especially in academic libraries.
Students today are faced with many difficulties in finding information, because new technology ma... more Students today are faced with many difficulties in finding information, because new technology makesinformation available in different, mainly electronic, formats. For this information to be accessed and used properly, students are required to be information literate. It is a duty of today’s libraries to equip students with the necessary information skills to function effectively and to meet challenges of the information age.
This paper reports on an investigation into the role of the University of Fort Hare Library in the enhancement of students’ information literacy. A survey was conducted among both undergraduate and postgraduate students and results of a total of 246 responses were analysed. Findings show that
while there is some evidence that the University of Fort Hare Library is engaging in information literacy activities, students still have difficulty in finding, critically evaluating and using information.
Key words: Academic libraries; information literacy; Fort Hare Library
The advent of Internet as a tool used to facilitate and share information impacted negatively on ... more The advent of Internet as a tool used to facilitate and share information impacted negatively on the library and information fraternity. Traditional roles and the status libraries used to enjoy as gate-keepers of information have declined, because the Internet made information available fast and massive in the form of Web pages accessible via the Internet.
This paper is about the role played by the Internet and how it impacted negatively on our fraternity. As the competition with Internet became rife, libraries especially in South Africa struggled to survive or define the role they should really play, and I felt the same. At the beginning of 2000 universities in South Africa started to close down departments that used to offer library and information studies. Those who survived are still struggling to attract students in the field. A new dawn called Internet Age made its impact felt by all.
These changes were the defining moment for me. This paper further explore the move I had to take as a results of this new dawn, that is how I embraced it, transformed and get out of my comfort zone and acquire new skills in order to survive. The new skills enabled me to develop a vibrant information literacy programme, thus making myself visible as a librarian. Seeing Vaal University of Technology students developing quality research papers, making informed and critical decisions, producing new knowledge through effective use of information will put a smile not only on my face but to other librarians as well.
Teaching Documents by Zodwa Somi
South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 2013
Welcome to the one-stop library guide destination for Health Sciences students and lecturers.
Welcome to the one-stop library guide destination for Health Sciences students and lecturers.
Emerging trends in technology have changed the academic libraries' landscape and services. These ... more Emerging trends in technology have changed the academic libraries' landscape and services. These changes will forever impact and influence how libraries conduct their businesses to satisfy the most important people in their lives; that is; the customers we serve, especially in academic libraries.
Students today are faced with many difficulties in finding information, because new technology ma... more Students today are faced with many difficulties in finding information, because new technology makesinformation available in different, mainly electronic, formats. For this information to be accessed and used properly, students are required to be information literate. It is a duty of today’s libraries to equip students with the necessary information skills to function effectively and to meet challenges of the information age.
This paper reports on an investigation into the role of the University of Fort Hare Library in the enhancement of students’ information literacy. A survey was conducted among both undergraduate and postgraduate students and results of a total of 246 responses were analysed. Findings show that
while there is some evidence that the University of Fort Hare Library is engaging in information literacy activities, students still have difficulty in finding, critically evaluating and using information.
Key words: Academic libraries; information literacy; Fort Hare Library
The advent of Internet as a tool used to facilitate and share information impacted negatively on ... more The advent of Internet as a tool used to facilitate and share information impacted negatively on the library and information fraternity. Traditional roles and the status libraries used to enjoy as gate-keepers of information have declined, because the Internet made information available fast and massive in the form of Web pages accessible via the Internet.
This paper is about the role played by the Internet and how it impacted negatively on our fraternity. As the competition with Internet became rife, libraries especially in South Africa struggled to survive or define the role they should really play, and I felt the same. At the beginning of 2000 universities in South Africa started to close down departments that used to offer library and information studies. Those who survived are still struggling to attract students in the field. A new dawn called Internet Age made its impact felt by all.
These changes were the defining moment for me. This paper further explore the move I had to take as a results of this new dawn, that is how I embraced it, transformed and get out of my comfort zone and acquire new skills in order to survive. The new skills enabled me to develop a vibrant information literacy programme, thus making myself visible as a librarian. Seeing Vaal University of Technology students developing quality research papers, making informed and critical decisions, producing new knowledge through effective use of information will put a smile not only on my face but to other librarians as well.