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1 – 10 of 11Portia Bowen-Chang and Yacoob Hosein
This study aims to present a detailed investigation into the approaches of academic librarians in Trinidad and Tobago in pursuing continuing professional development (CPD…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to present a detailed investigation into the approaches of academic librarians in Trinidad and Tobago in pursuing continuing professional development (CPD) activities. The paper also examines the extent of their participation in CPD at both the institutional and external levels in contributing to the development of their careers.
Design/methodology/approach
The instrument used was a questionnaire which assesses the effectiveness of the librarians in their involvement in and attitude toward CPD activities.
Findings
The paper demonstrates the active role and willingness of academic librarians in Trinidad and Tobago in providing and participating in CPD training and support to library and information personnel at both the national and international levels.
Originality/value
The paper underscores the effectiveness of a group of academic librarians in Trinidad and Tobago who pursue and provide a high level of CPD activities to professionals.
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Marsha Winter and Portia Bowen‐Chang
The paper seeks to examine the challenges of implementing DSpace at the Main Library at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and highlights the…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper seeks to examine the challenges of implementing DSpace at the Main Library at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and highlights the creation of a digitization project at the Main Library that was used to promote DSpace to faculty members on the St Augustine Campus.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper describes the Main Library's decision to implement an institutional repository using the DSpace platform, looking at the submissions of the Michael Goldberg Collection of Postcards and the University of the West Indies theses abstracts over a period of one year.
Findings
The paper reveals that significant attention must be given to factors such as selection, content management, finance, training, metadata, security and copyright in setting up an institutional repository on the DSpace platform. It also concludes that the Main Library is yet to explore fully the capabilities of the DSpace software. Despite the constraints, it is clear that there are enormous benefits to be derived from utilizing DSpace to promote the intellectual output of the University of the West Indies, St Augustine and consequently the Main Library will continue to map a way forward in the realm of DSpace.
Originality/value
The research draws upon the DSpace experience of the University of the West Indies, St Augustine and serves as a model for future projects in the implementation of the DSpace software, particularly in developing countries.
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Yacoob Hosein and Portia Bowen-Chang
This paper aims to provide a study of a structured approach at map cataloguing training by a team of cataloguers at the Alma Jordan Library of the University of the West Indies…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a study of a structured approach at map cataloguing training by a team of cataloguers at the Alma Jordan Library of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is a case study which underscores the value of the experiences of cataloguers at training themselves in a particular cartographic format.
Findings
The collaborative efforts of the cataloguers facilitated the further development of institutional expertise and provided the required skills set for increasing bibliographic access in a specialised format.
Originality/value
The paper brings to bear the uniqueness of the cataloguing of Caribbean cartographic materials in a team-teaching setting which serves as a model for other academic libraries and information centres.
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Portia Bowen‐Chang and Yacoob Hosein
This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of a series of in‐house training offered to cataloguers and para‐professional cataloguing staff at the University of the West Indies…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of a series of in‐house training offered to cataloguers and para‐professional cataloguing staff at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Design/methodology/approach
The instrument used for the survey was a questionnaire which sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the training over a two‐year period. Through the application of a five‐point Likert scale respondents were required to indicate their levels of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the training sessions.
Findings
The paper reveals the relevance and effectiveness of a structured approach to cataloguing training and highlights the need for cataloguing staff to keep abreast of current trends through continuing education. It also demonstrates a dire need for greater collaboration between library schools and libraries in the development of proficiencies for entry level cataloguers.
Research limitations/implications
The collective evaluation of professionals and para‐professionals with varying levels of cataloguing knowledge and competencies impacted on the reliability of the data.
Originality/value
The paper serves as a model for future cataloguing training at the St Augustine Campus Libraries and can be adapted by other libraries for meeting their training needs in cataloguing.
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Portia Bowen‐Chang and Marsha Winter
This paper intends to provide an annotated bibliographic guide for scholars and researchers studying the critical works of Samuel Selvon, one of the founding fathers of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper intends to provide an annotated bibliographic guide for scholars and researchers studying the critical works of Samuel Selvon, one of the founding fathers of the Anglo‐Caribbean literary movement.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors identify and evaluate items from print bibliographies, online and card catalogues, electronic databases and the world wide web.
Findings
Numerous scholars have critically assessed the novels of Selvon and this is evident in the existence of published and unpublished works in English and other foreign languages.
Originality/value
The forte of the bibliography lies in the annotative aspect and the inclusion of unpublished works and non‐English speaking documents.
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Yacoob Hosein and Portia Bowen‐Chang
The purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of cataloguing training for professionals at the St Augustine Campus Libraries of the University of the West Indies…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of cataloguing training for professionals at the St Augustine Campus Libraries of the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, with emphasis on the cataloguing of special formats and the overall importance of continuing education.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology is based on a questionnaire which involved the use of a rolling survey for the periods 2005‐2007 and 2007‐2010, and utilized a five‐point Likert scale.
Findings
The findings clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of cataloguing training in the quest for professional development amongst librarians and also serve to highlight the need for greater collaboration between libraries, library schools and library associations.
Practical implications
The paper considers effectiveness of training in cataloguing and thus of the skills adopted in practice.
Originality/value
The study brings to the fore the importance of structured training for cataloguing professionals over a five‐year period. It also provides further insights into bridging the gap between entry level and working cataloguers in a developing country.
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