Conference Papers, Presentations & Posters (Department of Library Services)

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Makerspaces and XR Toybox to enhance teaching, learning, research, and innovation: The case of the University of Pretoria Department of Library Services
Ngobeni, Clara; Mbonambi, Linda; Bapela , Rebecca (University of Pretoria, 2025-10)
The University of Pretoria (UP) launched the first Makerspace in South Africa at its main campus in Hatfield to enhance teaching, learning, research and innovation. The main campus was chosen strategically because it is home to various faculties, making it easier for the library to collaborate with the faculties. The facility enables academics, researchers, and students to develop prototypes, experiment with ideas, and be innovative. Currently, the DLS is in the process of creating a customised Makerspace for the Education faculty designed to meet the needs of Education students. In addition to Makerspaces, Health Sciences library features the XR Toybox (Extended Reality), which is designed to transform medical student learning experiences, and improve medical education. This study examines and presents user experiences in both Makerspaces and XR Toybox facilities, as well as best practices, lessons learnt, and benefits of these spaces within library services. Furthermore, the study highlights partnerships the library has established amongst various faculties through these spaces, as well as how the positioning of these spaces caters to the distinct needs of the different faculties. This is a qualitative case study methodology. This method enables researchers to explore Makerspaces and the XR Toybox. The objectives of this study are the following. • examine user experiences in both the makerspaces and XR Toybox facilities. • present best practices, lessons learnt, and benefits of these facilities within library services.
Evaluating the impact of AI on information literacy and critical thinking in academic libraries
Ngobeni, Clara; Mphuthi, Kamogelo; Bapela, Rebecca (University of Pretoria, 2025)
In a time of rapid digital innovation and widespread data availability, it is more crucial than ever to integrate technology and critical thinking skills in higher education (HE) settings (Essien et al, 2024). This study aims to explore how AI affects critical thinking and information literacy in academic libraries and higher education. Critical thinking, defined as the ability to evaluate information, challenge assumptions, and generate innovative solutions, is fundamental in business education (Essien et al, 2024). Recent studies indicate a shift in university education focus from discipline-specific knowledge towards developing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, addressing concerns that graduates may lack these critical skills. Over the past 20 years, library services have undergone significant change, and artificial intelligence has unexpectedly contributed to this evolution. It has permeated as a modern technology for library operations (Jha, 2023). Statement of the research problem The main purpose of this study is to investigate the implications of AI on information literacy and critical thinking skills in HE and academic libraries. The objectives of this study are therefore:  To assess whether the use of AI risks diminishing information literacy skills such as critical thinking, evaluating information, and finding credible sources. To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of integrating AI in academic libraries and its role in enhancing or undermining information literacy education. To propose strategies for academic libraries to effectively integrate AI into information literacy education while enhancing critical thinking skills. Methodology This study utilized desk research as its primary method, reviewing 13 journal articles relevant to the impact of AI on information literacy and critical thinking in HE and academic libraries. Six articles focused on critical thinking and information literacy, two on integrating AI in libraries, three on the impact of AI in HE and libraries, and one on reshaping education in the AI era. One article was deemed irrelevant due to its focus on AI and critical thinking in middle school. Findings (preliminary) The findings for this research at the time of writing this abstract are preliminary (few reviews of journal articles have been conducted and the analysis is in the state of near completion). Currently the following findings are emanating at this stage:  AI integration could improve both basic and advanced critical thinking skills, as outlined in Bloom’s Taxonomy. Teachers' roles may shift from information deliverers to guides for responsible AI use, emphasizing ethical considerations.  Critical thinking remains multifaceted and influenced by factors beyond AI integration.  The use of AI in libraries is growing, with potential to transform services such as cataloguing, referencing, and library management. Recommendations Libraries should require users to validate AI outputs and educate them about the biases and limitations of AI in order to prevent a decline in critical thinking. To ensure that AI enhances rather than replaces human judgment, a balanced approach that combines librarian expertise for advanced critical thinking support with AI automation for routine tasks is used. Frequent evaluations of AI's effects on user skills can support libraries in keeping an emphasis on lifelong learning and intellectual engagement.
SDGs integration on Figshare
Ramokgola, Mankaleme (Department of Library Services (UPDLS), 2025-07-31)
no abstract
The use of AI and automation in transforming scholarly communication services and leverage SDGs
Ramokgola, Mankaleme (Department of Library Services (UPDLS), 2025-07)
Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are game changers that change the landscape of academic publishing and scholarly communication services. The use of AI-powered Cutting-edge tools in transforming scholarly outputs into indigenous languages is an important part of the scholarly and publishing services. It allows knowledge to be communicated across the globe transcending language barriers. These cutting-edge tools offer opportunities to automate routine or repetitive tasks, enhance accessibility, discovery, and user experience. Scholarly communication services keep on evolving not only to meet the scholarly needs of their research communities but also to contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and societal goals. An academic library’s objective is to support teaching, learning, and research. The paper will explore the use of AI tools in transforming scholarly communication services in an academic library, and the power of automation to drive progress towards achieving the SDGs.
Institutional Repositories as tools to advance Open Science: maximizing research visibility and impact
Mathiba, Tlou (Department of Library Services (UPDLS), 2025-10-22)
Redesigning the University of Pretoria Library website with users in mind: a case study
(2025-10-01)
The annual library website statistics report and support request logs at the University of Pretoria (UP) revealed a notable decline in the use of the library website, particularly for accessing academic resources. A significant number of logged helpdesk queries came from students seeking assistance as they were struggling to navigate the platform. To address the problem, the Department of Library Services collaborated with the UP UX Lab to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the website’s usability and accessibility. The evaluation revealed key challenges. Student-focused content was difficult to locate, site navigation was unintuitive, and the platform lacked inclusive features for users with visual or cognitive impairments. Based on these findings, a redesign and development initiative was launched to enhance usability, improve accessibility, and embed user-centricity into every aspect of the site. The project also involves restructuring menus to better cater to the needs of end users (i.e, students, researchers, and academics), prioritising essential services and resources on the homepage, and aligning content and design with accessibility standards (e.g., alt-text for images, transcripts for videos, accessible navigation). Staff training is integrated to sustain accessibility practices. Benchmarking against both local and international academic library websites helped identify best practices, guiding the development of a more inclusive, intuitive, and engaging digital experience designed to meet the diverse needs of the University of Pretoria’s academic community.
Embedding Evidence Synthesis Support in Health Sciences Research Training: A Case Study from an Academic Library at University of Pretoria
Mbonambi, Linda (Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA), 2025-10-02)
As the demand for high-quality evidence to inform health sciences research continues to grow, academic libraries are transitioning from support roles to becoming integral partners in the research process. This case study presents the experience of the Health Sciences Library in integrating evidence synthesis support into both undergraduate and postgraduate research training within the Faculty of Health Sciences. The paper outlines the library’s strategic approach in aligning services with the evolving research needs of faculty and students. Key initiatives include embedding systematic and scoping review support into postgraduate orientation programs and research modules, delivering targeted workshops for researchers and supervisors, and offering personalized consultations. For undergraduate students, introductory sessions focus on developing foundational evidence-based research skills. A practical example of a scoping review process will be shared, illustrating the librarian’s involvement, ranging from search strategy design, screening workflows, PRISMA, and data extraction. The use of tools such as Covidence, EndNote, Rayyan, and PRISMA templates has played a significant role in streamlining processes and enhancing researcher confidence. Over time, the library has developed LibGuides, reusable templates, and custom training content to support learning. Achievements include a steady increase in collaboration requests from departments, improved quality of research outputs, and stronger recognition of librarians as research partners. Reflections on lessons learned, such as the need for early engagement, adaptable services, and ongoing professional development, underscore how libraries can effectively foster a culture of evidence-based research across all academic levels.
Institutional repositories as tools to enhance research visibility and leverage SDGs
Mathiba, Tlou (Department of Library Services (UPDLS), 2025-07)
Institutional repositories are digital platforms in which institutions archive, manage and disseminate scholarly outputs within and beyond. The repositories leverage the knowledge to advance research and development (R&D), and innovation. The 2015 National Research Foundation (NRF) statement on Open Access states that, “the data supporting the publication should be deposited in a trusted open access repository, with the provision of a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for future citation and referencing.” In supporting the NRF open access mandate, the South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and research institutions implemented the repositories such as open source and/or proprietary. Academic libraries as knowledge hubs are well positioned to ensure discoverability and retrieval of information, scholarly outputs and sustainable development goals (SDGs). Researchers need to expose their work by publishing in a repository and use appropriate tools to enhance research visibility and impact for wider audience. When the research is discoverable, it has societal impact such as advancing knowledge, informing policy, or solving real-world problems. Therefore, the visibility makes libraries one of the key partners and contributors in achieving United Nations SDGs. This also shows that libraries are also contributors to the global knowledge economy and the advocators of the Open Science movement and knowledge equity.
Integrating Research Data Repository with Altmetric, Dimensions and ORCID: increasing research visibility and impact voltage
Ramokgola, Mankaleme; Mathiba, Tlou (UPDLS, 2025-07-02)
Research data repositories are powerful and enable the management of research activities and services. Research data repositories facilitate data publishing, sharing, and collaboration of academic research, allowing institutions to manage and showcase their data to the wider spectrum. Integrating research data repositories with scholarly identity and impact tracking tools such as Altmetric, Dimensions, and ORCID presents a transformative opportunity to enhance the visibility, discoverability, and societal impact of academic outputs. By aligning persistent identifiers (ORCID IDs) with real-time metrics and citation networks, researchers and institutions can track engagement, showcase the impact of their work beyond traditional citations, and strengthen academic profiles. The paper will demonstrate how such integration synergy can increase “impact voltage” when visibility tools are interlinked. The paper will also validate the notion that holistic integration is essential in the evolving scholarly communication ecosystem, driving both researcher recognition and institutional prestige.
Enhancing research visibility and SDG alignment through metadata and AI: a case study from the University of Pretoria
Nel, Marguerite A. (2025-08-28)
Academic libraries are uniquely positioned to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by utilising their expertise in information management. This presentation outlines an innovative project led by metadata specialists at the University of Pretoria, aimed at linking Faculty research outputs and activities to the SDGs through enriched metadata in the University’s institutional repository, UPSpace. Using the Faculty of Veterinary Science as a pilot, the team developed a structured workflow to retrospectively tag research items with SDG-related metadata and created a subject guide to enhance their discoverability. Recently, the project has evolved to incorporate artificial intelligence tools that assist in identifying relevant keywords and aligning them with the SDGs, significantly improving both efficiency and accuracy. This initiative not only supports institutional reporting and strategic alignment but also fosters awareness and engagement with the SDGs across various disciplines. The presentation will provide insights into the methodology, challenges faced, and future directions.
Upskilling for the Next Generation of Research Support: AI, Robotics, and Digital Transformation at the Forefront, the University of Pretoria Library Case
Chipa Maimela (UP Space, 2025-03-24)
The rapid advancement of digital technologies is reshaping research practices, placing digital transformation at the forefront of the research support ecosystem. As the next generation of research professionals navigates this evolving landscape, upskilling has become imperative to remain relevant and effective. This paper explores the critical role of digital transformation in redefining research support and highlights key strategies for upskilling professionals to meet emerging demands. Key focus areas include mastering data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), Robotics, and digital collaboration tools to optimise research workflows, agentic AI, and outcomes. The paper underscores the importance of developing digital literacy, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and cultivating ethical practices to address challenges like data privacy and algorithmic bias. Training initiatives, such as micro-credentialing, modular learning, and immersive workshops, are proposed as effective solutions to bridge skill gaps. Partnerships between academic institutions, technology providers, and industry stakeholders are emphasised as pivotal to building a digitally adept research workforce. By embracing digital transformation, research support professionals can enhance efficiency, foster innovation, and contribute to the development of robust, data-driven research ecosystems. This paper serves as a roadmap for institutions aiming to future-proof their research support services by prioritising strategic upskilling in a rapidly digitising world.
Dimensions: grants information
(University of Pretoria, 2024-11-08)
The presentation is on using the Dimensions database to find grant information for research and to identify possible collaborators and funding sources.
Upskilling research support: AI, robotics & digital transformation at University of Pretoria library
Maimela, Chipa; Mchunu, Lathola (UP Space, 2025-05-29)
The rapid advancement of digital technologies is reshaping research practices, placing digital transformation at the forefront of the research support ecosystem. As the next generation of research professionals navigates this evolving landscape, upskilling has become imperative to remain relevant and effective. This paper explores the critical role of digital transformation in redefining research support and highlights key strategies for upskilling professionals to meet emerging demands. Key focus areas include mastering data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), Robotics, and digital collaboration tools to optimise research workflows, agentic AI, and outcomes. The paper underscores the importance of developing digital literacy, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and cultivating ethical practices to address challenges like data privacy and algorithmic bias. Training initiatives, such as micro-credentialing, modular learning, and immersive workshops, are proposed as effective solutions to bridge skill gaps. Partnerships between academic institutions, technology providers, and industry stakeholders are emphasised as pivotal to building a digitally adept research workforce. By embracing digital transformation, research support professionals can enhance efficiency, foster innovation, and contribute to the development of robust, data-driven research ecosystems. This paper serves as a roadmap for institutions aiming to future-proof their research support services by prioritising strategic upskilling in a rapidly digitising world.
Integrated Big Data Analytics Conceptual Framework for Information Sharing across the fast-moving consumer goods industry
(IEEE, 2022-12)
Industrial revolution 4.0. (I.R.4.0) has augmented the number of cyber-physical systems (CSP) that generate., store and process data at an unprecedented rate hence., requiring big data (BD) and big data analytics (BDA) technologies. The FMCG consist of complex and dynamic entities., wherein., physical goods and information exchange occur and generate massive amounts of data., classified as big data (BD)., which is siloed., fragmented., etc. and requires BD technologies to be processed. The absence of information integration and data defusion deprives the FMCG SC of opportunities to achieve and maintain balanced demand and supply., reduce inventory holding costs and improve logistic efficiency. The utilization of technologies such as Hadoop., etc. to process and integrate the massive amounts of BD provides streamlined information processes., reduced operational costs., information integration and fusion throughout the diverse SC to achieve accurate., timely and reliable data/information was presented in this paper using a BDA conceptual framework.
Special Collections: Research and Reflection
Haw, Nikki (2024-11)
The Freedom in the Archives event asked how anti-apartheid activism has been captured, commemorated and continues to drive research in post-apartheid South Africa and beyond. This presentation discusses these aspects with regard to the DLS Special Collections and shows how collections that have previously been regarded as less important can become our most valued research resources.
Collaborate and uncomplicate: best practices for managing and maintaining African languages collections
(2024)
In the past decades, South Africa's democratic advancements have significantly transformed the needs of academic library users. Driven by the User Experience (UX) movement, along with other factors, these have fostered a push for more inclusive and user-oriented collections. Concurrently, the field of African languages literature has expanded, with a notable increase in both publishers and publications. Managing and maintaining African languages collections in libraries involves unique challenges, largely stemming from historical imbalances. These collections have often been underdeveloped, underrepresented, and neglected in academic libraries. The diversity of languages and genres and the non-standard formats of many books, require dedicated attention and problem-solving from a multidisciplinary team. This presentation will explore the complexities of cataloguing and shelving African languages literature and highlight the collaborative efforts that have led to a more efficient system. We will discuss specific obstacles, such as the need for accurate cataloguing in multiple languages and the practical challenges of organising books from various genres in a continually growing collection, and keeping them tidy, to ensure a pleasant user experience. By detailing the successful partnership between information specialists, cataloguers, and shelving staff, we will demonstrate how a coordinated approach has significantly improved the management of the African languages literature collections. The implementation of these best practices has streamlined library operations, improved communication between units, and enhanced the user experience. This has made it easier for patrons to access and enjoy this rich and diverse collection while creating space for future additions. This presentation aims to provide insights and practical strategies for libraries facing similar challenges, fostering greater appreciation and accessibility of African language literature.
An introduction to theological resources represented at Special Collections
Haw, Nikki (2024-10)
The DLS Special Collections Unit curates a number of collections related specifically to the study of theology. In addition, the Van Warmelo collection covers many subjects related to Traditional African Religions which still need to be explored. This presentation gives a brief overview of these collections and their potential for future research.
Intra-host quasispecies reconstructions resemble inter-host variability of transmitted chronic hepatitis B virus strains
(bioRxiv, 2023-05-15)
The hepatitis B virus is a partially double stranded DNA virus in the Hepadnaviridae family of viruses that infect the liver cells of vertebrates including humans. The virus replicates through the reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate by a viral poly-merase, akin to retroviruses. The viral polymerase has high replication capacity but low fidelity and no proofreading activity resulting in a high mutation rate. This contributes to the emergence of a cloud of mutants or quasispecies within host systems during infection. Several host and viral factors have been identified that contribute to mutations and mutation frequency in shaping viral evolution, however, because the dynamics of viral evolution cannot be understood from the fittest strain alone, the need exists to sequence and reconstruct intra-host diversity, recently made possible through next generation sequencing. Due to the extensive pipeline of bioinformatic analyses associated with next generation sequencing studies are needed to ascertain if quasispecies reconstruction methods and diversity measures accurately model known diversity. Here, next generation sequencing and various quasispecies reconstruction methods are used to model the natural evolution of viral populations across the full genome of hepatitis B virus strains from South Africa. This study illustrates that (i) different methods of quasispecies reconstruction reconstruct the same amount of diversity, (ii) intra-host diversity derived from full quasispecies analyses re-sembles diversity measures obtained from previous methods, (iii) inter-host diversity resembles the diversity between closely related quasispecies variants, (iv) diversity is increased in HIV-negative individuals, and (v) corroborate that seroconversion of HBV biomarkers increases mutation rates.
The construction of occupational professionalism among business rescue practitioners supplying professional bodies.
AYAYA, ONESMUS; Pretorius, Marius (The Centre for Business & Economic Research, 2021-07)
The study aimed to explore the construction of professionalism in a multiple professional bodies (MPB) landscape in South Africa (SA) and demonstrate how this construction can be used to enhance a professional accreditation regime. Professional accreditation has become a pre-requisite for business rescue practitioners (BRPs). The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) licensing is linked to multiple professional bodies’ knowledge and practices but are not generic. This study was guided by one key question: How do PBs providing BRPs construct professionalism, and to what extent can the existing construction of professionalism facilitate the development of a professional accreditation regime? A qualitative research design used required research to use four consecutive steps, namely (a) interviewing member services managers at four professional bodies (PBs); (b) systematic content analysis of codes of professional conduct and policy statements to identify constituent professionalism notions; (c) a systematic search of the literature to identify notions of professionalism mentioned in definitions and explanations of the construct; and (d) analysis of notions of professionalism using the constant comparison procedure to reveal key themes. A total of 90 separate notions of professionalism were identified in the 192 scholarly papers included in our study. The identified theme within business rescue practitioner (BRP) professionalism (emphasising relational aspects) points to practitioner dealings with (i) clients (business rescue candidates); (ii) government and others; (iii) the PB; and (iv) oneself to gain the essence of occupation. There is fragmentation between the constructed conceptualisations of professionalism among PBs, leading to an incoherent and inconsistent expert accreditation regime. The results from these steps were used to advance a programmatic framework to construct professionalism in an MPB landscape and a future research agenda
Innovate and Integrate: Key Trends and Developments in Library Technical Services
Nel, Marguerite (2024-06)
Traditionally, cataloguers played essential roles in libraries to ensure that materials were organised, accessible, and easily discoverable by users. While the core principles of cataloguing remain the same, many of these tasks have evolved with the introduction of new technologies and methodologies in the field. In this presentation, we will explore some of the most significant advancements in the ever-changing landscape of the modern 21st-century library, with a particular focus on how these influential trends shape the future of library technical services.

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