The Status Of Web 2.0 Tools In The Namibia University Of Science And Technology (NUST) And University Of Namibia (UNAM) Libraries

ABSTRACT

The introduction of Web 2.0 tools within libraries has become increasingly common and is being incorporated in many libraries’ services worldwide. This study investigated the status of Web 2.0 tools at the Namibia University of Science Technology and the University of Namibia main campus libraries. The study population comprised of library staff and students. The study adopted a mixed-methods research approach, employing a case study research design, with surveys and interviews as data collection methods for the quantitative and qualitative research contexts respectively. For the qualitative part of the study, library staff were selected through non-probability sampling technique applying purposive sampling. Five staff members were selected from NUST library and five from UNAM library. Furthermore, students were selected using the stratified sampling method, where students were divided according to their respective faculties for the quantitative study method. This was followed by convenience sampling that was used to identify large classes with full-time students, who were available to participate in the study within the respective departments of each faculty. This type of sampling was chosen because due to the large on-campus University population, it was not possible to include every subject as the population was almost finite. The researcher administered a total of 200 questionnaires, whereby 177 questionnaires were completed. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) was employed to obtain descriptive statistics for quantitative data. The qualitative data was analysed by identifying patterns in the data, thereafter creating codes, and categorizing those codes into themes. These themes were then presented in an organized manner. The findings indicate a very slow uptake of the adoption of Web 2.0 tools within the NUST and UNAM libraries, which can be associated with the low level of awareness of such tools. The most used tools by students were Facebook and Instagram. The staff indicated that they were familiar with LinkedIn as a Web 2.0 tool, and suggested that library management should host change management workshops to encourage the adoption of new Web 2.0 tools among students and staff.