Assessing the prospects of digitisation at the University of Ghana Library System (UGLS)

Abstract

The basic aim of this mini-dissertation was to explore the prospects of digitisation at the University of Ghana Library System (UGLS). The research followed a qualitative approach and a case study research design was adopted. A thorough literature study was conducted. The primary purpose of the literature was to inform the research on the questions and objectives raised on the aspects of digitisation to understand the dynamics and complexity of digitisation. Six staff from the UGLS digitisation programme were purposively sampled for in-depth interviews for their direct involvement in the UGLS digitisation programme. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with UGLS digitisation managers and the current IT and digitisation operations staff to collect data. During the interviews, the following issues associated with digitisation were addressed: policy, planning, goals and priorities, selection criteria, skills and expertise, digital preservation and long-term access, issues and challenges; solutions and recommendations to digitisation constraints of the UGLS. These issues were used to identify and develop themes where thematic analyses of research data were done. Specific recommendations were also develop to share with UGLS to address the digitisation policy and planning issues, selection issues, human resource and skills requirements; the critical challenges, resource requirements, long-term preservation and access of digitised content and the sustainability of digitisation programme. Final recommendations were made based on the findings and conclusions of the research to advise on the sustainability of the UGLS digitisation programme.