ACTEA Librarians eNews #3, Jan 2002

Greetings fellow librarians/information workers,

I trust that you all had a blessed Christmas and that you are excited about 2002. Let's launch right in!

In this edition of ACTEA Librarians eNews:

1. Let's get to know one another
2. University of South Africa - Publishes books on Africa
3. Libraries and human destiny
4. Library automation specialist in Kenya - Our personal consultant!
5. Software for automating your library
6. News from ACTEA Librarians around Africa
7. Book on Association of Evangelicals in Africa discounted
8. Christian classics on CD-ROM - Free!
9. Selection of e-resources (electronic resources)

1. Let's get to know one another 

We have had a few letters from librarians giving us snippets of information about their work and providing useful information for us all to share. These were included in issues one and two of eNews. Let's really get to know one another! Please write in and give details about yourself and your libraries so that we can feature one or two members of the "family" in each issue of ACTEA Librarians eNews. If you feel shy about sharing, include only those details you want to share - as long as we get to know one another.

2. UNISA (University of South Africa) books on Africa 

Did you know that UNISA publishes books on Africa and will post them anywhere in Africa? Their latest title is: African Earthkeepers: Interfaith Mission in Earthcare (Vol. 1) by M.L. Daneel. Daneel grew up in Zimbabwe and has done extensive research on the traditional and Christian religions of the Shona people. In this book he records the religo-ecological motivation and endeavour of the African Earthkeeping Movement and its impact on Shona peasant society. This volume deals mainly with the traditional religious contribution of the earthkeeping struggle.

To obtain a catalogue of UNISA publication on Africa:

The Business Section, Unisa Press, PO Box 392, Pretoria, 0003 South Africa Phone 27 (012) 429 3221 e-mail thearl@unisa.ac.za http://www.unisa.ac..za/dept/press/index.html

3. Libraries and human destiny 

In his article on "Theological Librarianship as Ministry", Raymond P Morris makes some important comments on the nature of librarianship. Sorry, I have forgotten the journal source! I am going to quote him in full, as what he has to say is useful.

"Your day will not be my day. What we do varies from institution to institution, from job to job, and from person to person. You will do your job in an equally important way, and perhaps in a more effective way. Though the details of our tasks will vary, our days will have this in common - they are crowded, they are unpredictable, they are varied and they are demanding. It takes flexibility, knowledge, insight and physical and nervous stamina to be a librarian. We don't sit around in our offices, in an atmosphere of quiet and order, unmolested, pursuing the contemplative life. If we are doing our jobs, we are engaged deeply and in a truly fundamental way in the life and process of the school, in the complexities, the tensions, the drive of a community which is at work and which is throbbing with vitality. Always we work under a sense of pressure. Each of us, if he/she is truly effective, will participate in this in his/her own way.

The important aspect of all of this which we are stressing is the HUMAN side of our task, the problem of HUMAN RELATIONS. Let me say that the greatest mistakes which I have made as librarian have been mistakes in human relations. I have never been a better librarian because I didn't understand people. I should like to press upon you that the THING WHICH GIVES IMPORTANCE TO OUR JOBS IS THAT THEY INVOLVE PEOPLE AND THEIR DESTINY".

4. Library Automation specialist in Kenya - Our personal consultant! 

Phyllis Masso writes to eNews, "I am a library professional from the USA who is living as a missionary in Nairobi, Kenya, and am assisting librarians (not just theological, but anyone) who would like to automate their libraries". Phyllis is available to answer basic questions about simple library automation. She has had experience with SIRS Mandarin Library Automation software and uses ResourceMate at Daystar University, which is her base.

Phyllis was active in the the African Virtual library during its short life and taught a couple of introductory workshops on MARC (the international library cataloguing standard for automating your library) and how to do retrospective conversion of a card catalogue for AVLI using the ITS for Windows program. She also served as chairman of an ad hoc cataloguing subcommittee whose task was to identify an affordable library automation company to recommend to the stakeholders. The subcommittee chose SIRS Mandarin. Phyllis would be happy to share the criteria that were mandated to use for the search. (Yes, please, Phyllis - send me an e-mail and we will include it in the next ACTEA Librarians eNews.)

Send your queries to ACTEA Librarians eNews (dfitz@new.co.za) and we will feature your question and Phyllis' answer in the newsletter so that we can all benefit from shared information. Phyllis will contact you directly (for faster turn around time) but by your sending your questions to me initially I can get a copy of your question and Phyllis' response for inclusion in the newsletter.

Pyllis thanks a million for your help.

5. Software for automating your library 

As mentioned above Phyllis uses ResourceMate at Daystar University. She says that it is particularly useful for small libraries that don't need extensive networking (though the OPAC can be networked) and is good for people serving as librarians who do not have much library training. The cost for cataloguing, circulation, and OPAC is about US$300. This allows you to catalogue on one computer and transfer the information onto another one. It converts records from Librarian's Helper for those who are currently using that cataloguing program and wishing they had a circulation program to go with it. It also allows one to copy cataloguing from the internet and import it into one's own catalogue. One can also put one's catalogue on the internet for a minimal amount each year.

Contact David Abramsky at sales@resourcemate.com

What software are you using to automate your library? Write in and tell us about it. Do you recommend it, or are you looking for something better?

6. News from ACTEA Librarians around Africa 

*Pontien N Batibuka (on study leave from the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology) writes, "I am very happy that ACTEA Librarians Newsletter has been revived. I used to receive it during the early 90's while I was running the Bunia Seminary Library".

Pontien is interested in the article mentioned in eNews issue no. 2, on guidelines for theological libraries. Pontien, I will look for someone with a scanner so that I can scan the article and then I will forward it to you. You ask if there is a French edition of eNews. How would you feel about translating the present eNews into French? Think about it! It would be great to have you on the team.

You ask for the address of Martina Bastian, the librarian of a Institut Biblique de l'Alliance Chretienne in Cote d'Ivoire. Does anyone know Martina? If so please e-mail Pontien at Ndagijimana.Batibuka@negst.edu

*Sannetjie Marais (ASM Memorial Library, Africa School of Missions, White River, South Africa) writes, "Although I am not formally trained as a librarian, I have been in this post since January 2001. Up to now I managed to maintain the day-to-day operation of the library.

There are approximately 10,000 volumes in our library. We use Inmagic DB Textworks. The total number of users is about 120. Earlier this year Petra College for Children's evangelism's library and our library merged.

It has been a personal dream since I arrived here (which was reinforced when I recieved the first newsletter) to help the ASM library develop into a theological and missions information centre - not only focusing on books, but also to keep up-to-date with the latest developments and resources in information. I would like to get involved in helping our Bible Colleges establish and build their libraries."

Sannetjie, this is great news! Wonderful when librarians start thinking beyond their own libraries. Let's think Africa when we think libraries. Please let us know more about your plans for "outreach". You ask if ACTEA librarians workshops are worth attending. In my experience - YES! As well as learning practical things from top class lecturers we all get a chance to shake hands and enjoy one another's company.

7. Book on Association of Evangelicals in Africa discounted 

Christiana Breman's important book, "The Association of Evangelicals in Africa", is the definitive work on this organisation. AEA links together national evangelical fellowships in Africa and also sponsors ACTEA through its Theological and Christian Education Commission.

Our friends at the Evangelical Literature Trust have informed ACTEA that they have copies available at substantial discount for African readers. If you don't have a copy for your library yet, it is highly recommended.

ELT is willing to send you a copy for only £5.00, which will just cover the surface mail postage costs.

Send payment with order to:

Mrs Christina Lowe, Administrator Evangelical Literature Trust St Peters Church Office Stoke Park Drive Ipswich, IP2 9TH, England

Tel 44 (0) 1473 687513 Fax 44 (0) 1473 690881 Email Tina@lowe-elt.freeserve.co.uk

8. Christian Classics on CD-ROM - Free! 

ACTEA is pleased to pass along the following announcement from Harry Plantinga of Calvin College:

The Christian Classics Ethereal Library is a digital library of hundreds of the most important writings from Christian history. Included are the Early Church Fathers and works by Albert the Great, Anselm, Aquinas, Arminius, Athanasius, Augustine, Baxter, Bede, Bernard, Bonaventure, Bunyan, and hundreds of others. This digital library is used by millions of people around the world via the World Wide Web at www.ccel.org.

Much of the library is also available on CD-ROM. Copies for distribution in Africa are available at cost, namely, US$3 per copy, including postage. Institutions and individuals may also request a free copy, though the number available may be limited.

To request a copy send email to Harry Plantinga, hplantin@calvin.edu

or write

Christian Classics Ethereal Library Calvin College - Computer Science 3201 Burton St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA

9. Selection of e-resources 

Whilst I do realise that many of us do not have the resources to purchase expensive electronic resources, we should nevertheless try to purchase at least a basic selection of useful e-resources (e.g., a few CD-ROM's). What criteria should be used in selection? Listed below are some criteria suggested by Stephen Pinfield in his article, "The changing role of subject librarians in academic libraries" in the Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 33 (1) March 2001.

•  Content: What does the resource contain? How far does it go back?
•  Functionality: What searches are possible? Can results be downloaded and printed?
•  Interface: Are different interfaces available from different suppliers? Which one is best?
•  Access methods: Can the resource be made available on a network?
•  Licensing: Can it be used off campus as well as on campus? Can walk-in library users access it or just members of the school?
•  Authentication: Does the resource require a username and password or is authentication based on IP address?
•  Format: CD-ROM or Web?
•  Technical requirements: Does the resource require a particular browser version or special software?
•  Integration with existing services: Will users have to get to know another interface and go through more authentication hoops?
•  Substitution possibilities: Can an electronic subscription replace a print subscription?
•  Cost: What is it? Can it be negotiated? Does it involve a complex calculation?
•  Training and support requirements: To what extent will training sessions and guides be required?
•  Archiving and preservation arrangements: Will the supplier provide access to backfiles or will individual institutions have to archive material?
•  Hidden costs: How much staff time will be required to network the CD-ROM? Is there enought bandwidth or will it need upgrading?

The above criteria are important when considering e-journal subscriptions. They should help in selecting e-journal packages. Have any of your libraries subscribed to e-journals yet? Priscillah Kioni (NEGST, Kenya) sent me a copy of the Nov/Dec Christian Academic Librarian's Association (Kenya) newsletter. In this edition of the newsletter Priscillah mentions that one can access (via the internet) journals from Blackwell Publishers and EBSCO. Let eNews know if any of you have any experience with e-journals (or other electronic resources - CD-ROMs etc).

What are the positives? What are the problems?

Hoping to hear from you all soon. If you write in to eNews, you write to the whole of Africa!

God bless,

David Fitz-Patrick, Editor Librarian, Bible Institute of South Africa dfitz@new.co.za

The mission of ACTEA is to promote quality evangelical theological education in Africa by providing supporting services, facilitating academic recognition, and fostering continental and inter-continental cooperation.