Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Kiswahili and information technology (IT): challenges in public university libraries in Kenya |
Author: | Khayesi, Marie K. |
Year: | 2002 |
Periodical: | Kiswahili |
Volume: | 65 |
Pages: | 24-31 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Kenya |
Subjects: | library automation university libraries information technology Swahili language |
Abstract: | Globalization has spread mainly through English. An important component of globalization is information technology (IT). Academic libraries in Kenya face major challenges in using Kiswahili, both for traditional operations and as an IT language in the organization, retrieval and dissemination of information. Challenges include the technology divide, the lack of IT personnel, and the legacy of training in a foreign language, usually English or French. There is little local content and library software is generally available in foreign-language versions only. The author suggests a number of measures and concludes that it requires the collective efforts of librarians in public universities, computer scientists and Swahili language experts to create computer programmes and databases for use by Kenyan libraries and other Kiswahili language users. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract] |