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This paper reports on a study on delinquent acts in three academic libraries in northern Ghana. A survey method was used for the study and a questionnaire was used to collect data. The study population consisted of staff in the Reader Service Sections of the three libraries. The study found that failure to observe library regulations, keeping overdue materials, eating in the library, littering, reserving seats unjustifiably, and hiding of books for the purpose of monopoly are examples of delinquent acts practiced by library users. According to the participants, the main reasons for delinquent acts are inadequate orientation to users, insufficient copies of books, and indiscipline among library users. The respondents further reported that these actions led to a reduction in library resources and low patronage. To curb deviant behaviors in libraries, the study recommends the adoption of pragmatic approaches including massive orientation for users, imbibing positive library culture that fosters respect, bolstering commitment and cooperation among library users and the staff, increasing library budgets as well as finding more creative ways of acquiring more copies of books, such as using Open Educational Resources (OERs), belonging to consortia and building and/or enhancing existing Institutional Repositories (IR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the use of online public access catalogues (OPAC) at the Catholic University College of Ghana. The research aims to assess the awareness of OPAC among library users, analyze its usage, identify related challenges, and determine user satisfaction. A quantitative research approach was employed, targeting students at the Catholic University College of Ghana as the study population. Data were analyzed using version 25 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings revealed challenges related to the limited availability of computers for OPAC systems, with users experiencing delays due to others occupying the available computers. Additionally, respondents showed a lack of sufficient IT knowledge. To address these issues, the study recommends that the library authority invest in more hardware or computers to improve accessibility. It also suggests ongoing training for patrons to enhance their IT skills and familiarity with the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the gap between decreased budgetary allocation and the need to sustain free and improved quality public library services continues to increase, librarians are expected to think more innovatively about how to bridge this gap while ensuring the notion of free public library services is not compromised. This study aimed to investigate revenue mobilization and the sustainability of free public library services in Ghana. The study adopts a multiple case study approach, exploiting the advantages of the use of a combination of varied data collection techniques using 3 Regional Public libraries in Ghana to enhance representativeness. The data was collected from some major stakeholders, including Head Librarians, library staff and patrons of public libraries using questionnaires and qualitative interview sessions. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were employed in selecting respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and thematic analysis were deployed as analytical tools to examine the data. Based on the findings of the study, the researchers conclude that the challenge is in tracking down the elusive mix of fee-based services that deliver more than they take away. We therefore, admonish that those who still preach against fee-based services on moral grounds accept the reality that seeking alternative funding (beyond government's subventions) to sustain public library services has become a Hobson's choice to most public librarians. Recommendations are also proffered in mitigating the present challenges affecting service delivery in public libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study set out to investigate the reference service provision at the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), Ghana from the perspective of users. A total number of 335 copies of questionnaire were administered to students and faculty of the National Film and Television Institute out of which 234 copies of the questionnaires were returned and used for the study representing a 69.9% response rate. The findings show among others that though the majority of respondents found the services and resources provided in the reference section coupled with staff attitude and skills of the library satisfactory, there is lack of electronic reference service provision. The researchers therefore strongly recommend the immediate adoption of electronic tools for reference service provision in addition to adequate user education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright exceptions and limitations, which allow information consumers the right to use copyrighted materials without necessarily obtaining permission from or payment to the rightsholder, promote advances in the arts and sciences. Poor knowledge of copyright laws results in improper use of copyrighted materials. However, the extent to which academic library users in Ghana know about the exceptions and limitations, as well as their understanding of permissible use of information in the Copyright Act 690, 2005 of Ghana are not known. The sequential mixed methods approach was employed to collect data from 530 postgraduate students from two public and two private universities in Ghana to assess their knowledge of copyright exceptions and limitations, as well as their understanding of permissible use of information in Copyright Act 690, 2005 whilst using the services of their libraries. The study shows that students were poorly knowledgeable about the various applications of the exceptions and limitations clause in the copyright laws of Ghana: students were either indifferent (i.e. 'neutral'), or 'disagree', and 'strongly disagree' on whether the Copyright Act 690, 2005 had clauses on exceptions and limitations on various uses of information such as for 'Private copying', for 'Quotations' or 'For the benefit of persons with disability'. Over 50% of respondents were not sure that the copyright laws of Ghana had provisions for permissible use of information. Age and gender of respondent significantly influenced these responses: older students 46 years and above, and females, were more knowledgeable compared to younger students and males respectively about exceptions and limitations for 'Private copying', and 'For the benefit of people with disability' in the copyright laws of Ghana. Policymakers in Ghana should therefore adopt youth- and gender-focus strategies in copyright education for efficient administration of copyright laws in academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to examine academic libraries' patrons' level of awareness of, and engagement with social media in the use of academic libraries services in Ghana. The study employed the cross-sectional survey whereby quantitative data were collected from a total of 417 respondents, who consisted of students and library staff from public, private and technical universities in Ghana. Findings indicated that the academic libraries have adopted and used a number of social media applications, with Facebook and instant messaging as the most popular and frequently used platforms, for the provision and access to library services and resources as well as for contacting the academic libraries. However, the level of awareness, extent of use, as well as the level of engagement with the platforms was low as social media tools adopted by the libraries were not prevalent among the library patrons. Recommendations and conclusions based on the research findings are offered in the paper. This study uses a cross-sectional survey, with the data being collected at a specific point in time. However, due to rapid technological change and trends, future research studies could consider longitudinal studies to investigate the adoption and use of social media in academic libraries across time and environment. The analysis of social media use for academic library services from both the library staff and library patrons' perspectives will inform decisions on how to improve the use of such platforms for effective and efficient library services delivery and access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was largely quantitative and employed the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) as its theoretical lens. The target population was 31,157 consisting of library staff and library patrons from four academic libraries in Ghana. Sampling tables and census sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 767 respondents. Adopting a cross-sectional survey design, the study used a pre-tested questionnaire to collect data from the sampled respondents. Statistical analyses were carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The structural equation modelling technique was further used to estimate the relationships and correlations between the theoretical constructs from the UTAUT to understand behavioural intentions and use behaviour of social media in the academic libraries. The study found that performance expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions have significant influence on the intention to use and subsequent use of social media in academic libraries in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine transformations in academic library spaces in Ghana. A quantitative approach was adopted for this study. Data was collected using Google Forms. A total of 98 librarians from five academic libraries in Ghana, which represents less than 10% of all librarians in academic libraries in Ghana, participated in the study. The data collected was analysed using R4.0 programming software and is presented using charts and tables. Eighty-one per cent (81%) of the participants agreed that their libraries were moving from "book-centred" to "technology-supported and learning-centred" libraries engineered by emerging technologies and the changing demand of academic library users. It was found that the librarians in the study had moderate to low skills in providing advanced technological support to users in creating, capturing, editing, and sharing multimedia (video, audio, text, images) content for their research, teaching, and learning purposes. The results from the multinomial regression analysis with p values shows that the availability of information technology (IT) facilities, their usability and the skills of librarians were significant, revealing that they have effects on the levels of library space transformation. The capabilities of librarians should be improved from undertaking basic computing tasks to providing advanced support to their users. Stakeholders and academic library management should encourage their young librarians to further their education and engage in continuous professional development programmes. Libraries should develop strategies to secure the necessary funding to integrate IT facilities. The study used quantitative methods to study transformations in academic library spaces, a grey research area in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic resources (ERs) in academic libraries have become a global phenomenon due to technological developments, and these resources are changing the expectations of library users as well as the nature of the work of librarians. Although there is an extensive body of literature on the management and usage of ERs in academic institutions, few researchers have taken a holistic view by studying both concepts in a single study to reveal how they are related. Previous studies have investigated only the management or usage of ERs as separate concepts. This study investigates the management and usage of ERs in academic libraries in Ghana to explore the connection between the two concepts. The aim is to provide better recommendations for practice. This research applied a mixed methods design. Twenty-four library staff and three library consortium executives were interviewed. Faculty members and postgraduate students from four institutions were surveyed. Our findings show the various ways in which the management and usage of ERs have an influence on each other. These were mainly in the areas of selection, access provision, publicity, training, evaluation, and usage of ERs. The importance of appropriate and adequate resourcing, the marketing and demonstration of the value of ERs, training and usage evaluation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic nature of information use has called for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in entirely every field of the human venture, and information services and academic libraries are not an exception. The adoption of ICT based services has provided the platform where universities can source and access information easily. Though some studies on ICT availability and utilization have been conducted in the developed world, few studies on ICT services availability and utilization exist in Ghana, especially in the University for Development Studies (UDS). Underpinned by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study employed mixed research design to gather data from 300 library users, librarians, and library officers in the UDS. The findings revealed that four major ICT services (Wi-Fi, internet technology, digital library resources, and online public access catalog) are available across the five campuses' libraries of the University for Development Studies, Ghana. The findings also revealed that less available facilities/services in the UDS libraries are the E-mail facilities and the CD-ROM technology facilities while laptops and iPads were non-available for library users to independently search for information in the absence of their personal laptops. Despite the perceived availability of library facilities and services, the usage of library services and facilities among library users in the UDS is generally modest. The increasing availability of ICT facilities and services has facilitated communication between libraries and among library users. As recommendations, the provision of ICTs facilities and services in university libraries must be accompanied by in-services training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the influence of library service quality dimensions (i.e. service affect, information access, library as place, and personal control) on user satisfaction, as well as user satisfaction on user loyalty. Data were drawn from 349 library users from a public university library in Ghana. The hypothesized relationships were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The study revealed that with the exception of library as place all the service quality dimensions had a positive significant relationship with library user satisfaction. The study further established a positive significant relationship between user satisfaction and user loyalty. The practical implication is that the attainment of library user loyalty is possible when the management of libraries improve the level of user satisfaction with services. This study is one of the few on assessing library service quality, customer satisfaction, and user loyalty in a developing country context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to assess the information needs and information-seeking behaviour among library users in the CHS Library, the University of Ghana amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The study adopted the survey design to select 128 respondents using the convenience sampling technique with a response rate of 68.75 per cent. The study found that most respondents were competent health information literates. Moreover, most users look for health information to gain a better understanding of the causes, severity, and prognosis of a disease. Again, most respondents demonstrated that their main source of health information during the COVID-19 pandemic was the internet followed by medical databases. The findings also indicated that major challenges encountered in seeking health information by most respondents were internet connectivity followed by lack of time and inadequate library resources. Earlier studies have focused on health information and there is relatively little research on health information provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study provides insights into the information needs and information-seeking behaviour among library users during the pandemic in a developing country setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this study was on collection development practices at Valley View University (VVU) Library in Ghana. The study was set out to find out if there exists a collection development policy at VVU library. The population of the study was stratified into two main categories namely users of the library and the library staff. In selecting the students, simple random sampling technique was employed to select the students from four departments out of seven. The total population for both library staff and faculty members were used. Therefore sample size for the study was three hundred and two (302) made up of 210 students, 74 faculty members and 18 library staff. Data for the study was collected through questionnaires. The SPSS was used to analyze the questionnaire. The findings of this study indicated that VVU library stock both print and non-print materials for their users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]