Browsing by Author "Nyantakyi-Baah, Lydia"

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Achieving Sustainable Development Goals Two and Three: Role of Academic Libraries
(Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), 2020-08) Mbagwu, Francisca Chinyeaka; Nyantakyi-Baah, Lydia; Lyaka, Martha; Kiwelu, Jackline E.; Holmner, Marlene
Purpose: This study investigated the role academic libraries play in the achievement of sustainable development goals 2 and 3 Design/Methodology/Approach: An exploratory approach through an extensive review of related literature and case study was adopted for this study. Discussion on the efforts made by academic libraries in Federal University of Technology Library Owerri, Nigeria; Makerere University Library, Uganda, Kampala International University, Uganda and Ghana Institute of Journalism Library made in the achievement of SDGs 2 and 3. The study was guided by three research questions. Research questions 1 and 2 were gotten from the literature reviewed while the answer to research question 3 was based on information provided by the researchers being staff in the universities studied and the result of the interview from the rural host community. Findings: Major findings revealed that natural disasters (extreme weather, drought, flood,etc); ineffective food distribution, poor packaging, processing and storage, social support networks, untimely delivery of information, physical environment, inappropriate media for information dissemination among others were the problems militating against attainment of food security and good health. The finding also revealed that the community lacked agricultural information such as where to get the best variety of farm inputs, where and how to source agricultural loans, the market where they will get a better bargain for the products among others. Members of the rural host also lacked health information. Practical Implication: In a hunger crisis society and where health care services are not given the utmost attention, the life of the citizens are endangered. The provision of library and information services to people will empower them to seek and find the solution to these problems. Originality/Value: It is recommended that academic libraries can achieve SDGs 2 and 3 through repackaging of agricultural and health information in different formats and in the language rural communities will understand and make it accessible to them. Libraries can also partner/collaborate with agricultural and health professionals in the provision of extension services to their host communities.
Be Information Literate: The Ghana Institute of Journalism Employees’ Experience
(Ghana Library Journal, 2016) Nyantakyi-Baah, Lydia; Afachao, Ernest; Abrokwah, Stella
The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship between information literacy and the workplace. The study also aims to have a better understanding of information literacy skills of GIJ staff and it influence on their work performance. The study population consisted of the registry staff of the Ghana Institute of Journalism. A questionnaire was developed to collect data from respondents. The study found that poor Internet connectivity at the workplace coupled with staff’s lack of information literacy skills and inadequate print materials were challenges affecting the effective delivery and experience of information literacy at the Ghana Institute of Journalism. Some workers expressed confidence in using information to accomplish task at the workplace. However, ten (10) or 33% of the respondents said they always have the confidence and felt competent, to evaluate information and their sources. It is hoped that the findings will inform both management and librarians at the Ghana Institute of Journalism to equip the Institute's information centres with the necessary information resources and also plan effective information literacy programmes for staff of the Institute to enhance performance of task at the workplace.
Building Healthy Communities: The Role of Libraries in Promoting Selected Sustainable Development Goals (Goal Three)
(University of Pretoria, 2017-01) Nyantakyi-Baah, Lydia
Healthy living is crucial to sustainable development for every nation. The paper looks at the role libraries can play in promoting sustainable health development in Ghana. Substance abuse, road accidents, viral hepatitis and access to health information were main area considered. The paper indicates that libraries can achieve this by providing timely and relevant information to support researchers, collaboration with health and other institutions and identifying and addressing health needs of their communities through education and campaigns.
Easy Guide to Long Essay/Dissertation Writing
(UniMAC-GIJ, 2020) Nyantakyi-Baah, Lydia
The guidelines and examples in this handbook reflect a long essay or a thesis that has five chapters. The purpose of this handbook is to serve as a guide for both undergraduate and postgraduate students when writing their research work. It covers tips on how to select a research topic and write a proposal, general guidelines and layout of the various chapters, that is, chapters one to five and the preliminary pages, abstracting, online searches and information sources that can be useful for literature review. Some examples have been provided in this handbook.
Impact of Information Centres on Scientific Research: A Case Study of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(Journal of Communications, Media & Society, 2012-03) Nyantakyi-Baah, Lydia
Information centres are of prime concern as far as managing information is concerned. They have become significant in the provision of scientific and technical resources for scientists. Hence there is the need for information centres to process and repackage information in a suitable format that will satisfy and meet users’ information needs. This study looked at the impact of information centres on scientific research with reference to the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana. The impact of any information centre’s services on research or on a parent organization depends on the satisfaction users derive through the services. The study adopted the expectation disconfirmation theory, a customer satisfaction model, and used the survey method, employing the semi-structured questionnaire to collect data from 60 library users and 20 information centre staff. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to present the analysis. Findings from the study show that the Library is used frequently and patronage is very high. The information resources were found to be reliable, current and produced in a timely manner. Users derive a lot of benefits in using the Information Centre and this has increased research output. However, there are areas of dissatisfaction like the poor nature of Internet connectivity, inadequate information resources and limited funding.
Library Value through User Satisfaction: The Case of Academic Libraries in Ghana
(International Journal of Library and Information Science, 2019-12) Nyantakyi-Baah, Lydia; Tetteh, Evelyn Ogboo Apronti
The study is an investigative survey of library users’ satisfaction of library services, resources, staff conduct and impact of the library on the academic achievements of users. Qualitative data was collected from College students, faculty and library staff of two academic libraries in Ghana using questionnaires and interview instruments. The survey established that library services, information resources and the physical library environment have value because users have shown high satisfaction of them. Material lending, photocopying, library space and staff conduct recorded higher level of satisfaction. It is however recommended that academic libraries in Ghana should be equipped with online resources, adequate and knowledgeable staff, and computer systems with high broadband. Also, libraries should endeavor to market library services and resources in order to demonstrate value among stakeholders.
Reality Versus Desire: The Case of GIJ Library Users’ Expectations
(The Committee of University Librarians and their Deputies (CULD), 2012) Nyantakyi-Baah, Lydia; Afachao, Ernest
The paper looks at users‘ expectations and their view of library services at the Ghana Institute of Journalism library. The study identifies the GIJ library users‘ expectations by adopting the LibQUAL model propositions to collect data from 20% of the Bachelors degree students. The objective of the paper is to find out how service delivery is currently experienced by users. The paper also offers the evidence to managers of the Institute the need to improve services to meet increasing demands of users‘ expectations. Findings indicate that the dimensions in which users expressed the highest expectations were ‗access to information‘ and affect of services‘: materials that are relevant to their study at GIJ, easy access to electronic information, and staff who are courteous. Findings suggest that the library is well perceived regarding staff services‘: staff who are willing to help users. However, it emerged that the library did not meet the users‘ expectations in some of the propositions in all the three dimensions. Recommendations are made to guide the library strategically and operationally to better meet users‘ expectations.
Reducing Copying and Copyright Infringement: The Case of Ghana Institute of Journalism
(Journal of Communications, Media & Society, 2019-07) Nyantakyi-Baah, Lydia; Afachao, Ernest
The paper researched copying and copyright infringement among students at the Ghana Institute of Journalism. The quantitative research used a questionnaire to conveniently collect data from two-hundred (200) level 400 students. The Reference Librarian of the University was also interviewed to supplement data collected from the students. Analysis of the data revealed that even though majority of the students are aware of the Copyright Law, infringement of the law still exists among students. This phenomenon has been attributed to the unavailability of the information resources on the market. The expensive nature of some of the information resources have also been identified as a reason for photocopying, which makes it cheaper in acquiring the material. It was also found that the Institute has a guideline for referencing information sources. Besides the referencing guideline handbook, students of GIJ are given some education on Copyright issues by the Library. It is visible from the study that GIJ has measures in place to protect intellectual property among students. Students proposed severe punishment for those who infringe the law. Students proposed punitive measures such as the cancellation and deduction of marks from their overall score obtained from an assignment or an examination. The paper suggests continuous education among students and reprographers on campus about copying and copyright.
The Role of the Academic Library in Capturing Indigenous/Local Knowledge and how such a Programme can be Formalised: Examples from Ghana, Tanzania Uganda and South Africa
(University of Pretoria, 2016-11) Nyantakyi-Baah, Lydia; Mtega, Wulystan Pius; Mwembe, Maria Nankya; Nkonyeni, Sixolile
With the enhancement of information and communication technology, science and society has begun to accept that "indigenous knowledge and indigenous knowledge systems are blending with the modern scientific and technical knowledge" (Jain & Jibril, 2016:2). More and more, indigenous knowledge is becoming significant world-wide. The continued existence of every culture, depends on its folklores, legends, customs, rituals, beliefs the knowledge that supports this needs to be preserved for future generations. For this reason, the capturing and preservation of indigenous knowledge is definitely essential for the preservation of the local communities and their identity, which is strongly related to their culture and development of Africa as a whole.