Subject Specialisation at the University of Botswana Library and the Rand Afrikaans University Library: A Comparative Study

Authors

  • Edwin Qobose University of Botswana

Abstract

The University of Botswana Library and the Rand Afrikaans University Library have both adopted a subject specialisation approach in the delivery of services. This article seeks to establish similarities and differences in the application of subject specialisation in the two libraries. The comparisons reveal interesting findings from which both can learn and improve services. Subject librarians at the University of Botswana spent relatively more time on technical related functions, while the information librarians at Rand Afrikaans concentrate more on customer–centred services. Automation is viewed as an indispensable tool for quality services in both cases. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of customer service, which is inherent in subject specialisation.

Author Biography

Edwin Qobose, University of Botswana

Edwin Qobose is Senior Assistant Librarian at the University of Botswana.

Downloads

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (1999)

Section

Articles

License

World Libraries allows authors to maintain the copyright of their article or to give permission to World Libraries to hold the copyright. If contributors decide to maintain copyright, a Creative Commons license allows authors to determine how their work can be used. For more information on the types of licenses available, visit http://www.creativecommons.org/.

Authors submitting a paper to World Libraries do so with the understanding that Internet publishing is both an opportunity and a challenge. In this environment, authors and publishers do not always have the means to protect against unauthorized copying or editing of copyright-protected works.

World Libraries is a copyrighted product, and all rights are reserved worldwide. Permissions to use any materials appearing in World Libraries should be directed to Questions about World Libraries.

Downloads of specific portions of World Libraries articles are permitted for personal use only, not for commercial use or resale. Educational uses of World Libraries are permitted with permission of the authors of specific works appearing in World Libraries.

PRIVACY

World Libraries respects the privacy of both its readers and its contributors. To that end, World Libraries does not collect in its logs or other server tools the exact identities of its readers. World Libraries does not require its readers to sign in or to secure a unique ID or password. World Libraries does not use cookies.

World Libraries collects general information in its logs on the origins of users at the highest domain levels. Usage patterns are tracked in World Libraries to assist editors in making decisions about future content. In addition, this information is used for research on usage patterns to improve the site over time.

E-mail addresses used by World Libraries to notify readers of new issues are not disclosed to third parties.