The need for continuing education in information technology among librarians in Namibia

Abstract

None provided. The following is taken from the author's introduction:

This research aimed to investigate the information technology skills among the librarians in Namibia, such as the use of computers for storing, collecting, processing and communicating information through the online public access catalogues, cd-rom' s, internet, electronic mail services etc.; and to find how these services are relevant and useful to librarians and also to users of libraries

The decision to do research on this specific field was made on the basis of the importance of the proper use of information technology facilities by librarians, in the sense that they are custodians, educators and communicators in information society. The librarians are responsible to know and use information technology skills in libraries, to educate, help, advice the users, so that the users know how they can find information through using the electronic equipment or services

Therefore, I hope that this research will lead to the identification of continuing education needs of librarians on the area of information technology, for the benefit of both professionals, semi-professionals and non-professionals. Information technology is a new subject in the field of librarianship, especially in Namibia. Therefore the majority of librarians are not capable of using computers, due to the lack of training and information technology facilities, especially in school and community libraries as well as teachers' resource centres at rural areas