IFLA/Danida project in Ghana update
IFLA/Danida project in Ghana update
Keywords: Interlending, Document supply, Ghana, Internet, Projects
The IFLA/Danida Interlibrary Lending and Document Delivery project in Ghana was set up to implement a library network connecting different libraries across the country to the Balme Library at the University of Ghana in Accra to facilitate information search and lending procedures. The intention of this pilot project has been to examine different technological solutions and implement some, gaining experience which can be used in other projects, both in Ghana and in other developing countries. The level of development of the telecommunication infrastructure, together with the geographical distance from Balme Library, of libraries from Tamale, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Winneba and Accra has been examined in order to find a suitable system. One of the requirements is that the system is cheap enough to be sustainable after the project has finished. As the telephone network is unavailable, of poor quality or expensive in some geographical areas, the system must also run independently of the telephone infrastructure.
The project has now been running for more than three years but there are still many problems that need to be solved. During the first part of the project staff members in the participating libraries have been trained in interlending functions and communication via the Internet. At the same time attempts have been made to establish technical systems to ensure Internet access from all libraries but it is in this area that the solutions are far from satisfactory.
The final year of the project is 2001 and, during this year, it is hoped to be able to concentrate on giving access to digitised information and use of the Internet in document delivery. An evaluation will be made of the use of new information technology under the special conditions which have been established in an area such as Ghana.
Source: IFLA/Danida Newsletter
