Page 33 - UNAM Executive Annual Report 2018

Library
The UNAM Library provides quality services to support teaching, learning and research. The Centre for Quality
Assurance and Management(CEQUAM) conducted a benchmarking exercise during the period under review.
The final report commended the UNAM Library on community engagement, adequate collection of electronic
information resources and quality of traditional basic information services. Improvements, however, would be
required to create a more innovative and flexible culture, physical and ICT facilities, skills structure to address
emerging new academic library services in developing research and scholarly communication support services.
This include review of the structure and job descriptions.

The Library during the period under review continued with literary instruction to first year students focusing on
information search in subject specific journal databases and searching strategies. Training of third, fourth and
postgraduate students was aligned to their research projects focusing on APA referencing skills and citation,
and advanced literature searching skills.

It is important to note that the Library continued to subscribe to e-journals databases during the period under
review. These resources included; Emerald, Science Direct, SpringerLink, Hein Online and SA e-publications.
Further, the Library subscribed Wiley Online and Taylor and Francis Journals Online, amongst others. Library also
subscribed to the South African Pharmaceutical Veterinary Medicine MIMS database to improve resources to the
Veterinary Medicine programmes. Complimentary academic resources were provided through interlibrary loan
service, including internationally through Southern African Bibliographic Information Network collaboration. Due
to budgetary constraints, only 4 292 copies consisting of 1 327 titles were purchased during the reporting period.

The University Institutional Repository made significant impact in publicizing the research outputs of the University.
216 249 downloads of theses and institutional publications were recorded in 2018. The Institutional Repository
included 976 UNAM theses/ dissertations with full access to Masters and PhD dissertations and theses of UNAM
graduates. Also links on studies completed by UNAM academic staff at other institutions.

Regarding staff development, a total of 23 library staff were upgrading their qualifications during the reporting period.
The staff included, one a certificate level course, two pursuing diplomas, four Bachelor degrees, four postgraduate
diplomas, two Honours degrees, seven pursuing Master degrees, and three pursuing PhDs. Seven staff members
supported by the University Staff Development Programme or own funding completed their studies in 2018.

The Library collaborated with international partners during the period under review, and staff published articles
in journals, presented papers at conferences, and engaged in community activities. University of Cardiff
supported the Library during benchmarking process by funding the participation of the Executive Director
of the Cardiff University, who was the Chair of the Panel. Library staff benefitted from the Commonwealth
Professional Fellowship at Cardiff University Library for a period of one month. The Oshakati Library, as a service to
the community, continued to avail library resources to the community, and library resources to the community,
and staff members serve on library and archives-related bodies.

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