Abstract

While under the jurisdiction of the Administrative College (Adcol), a training centre for the public service, librarian education in Papua New Guinea was plagued by shortages of staff and resources. In 1986, the Library Studies Program was moved from Adcol to the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG). Despite this, research in library and information science can be expected to continue at a slow rate until a core of high-quality staff emerges to foster it. A major problem is the teaching staff's lack of experience in information management, particularly in the area of the new information technologies and tools. This project, which focuses on human resources development, aims to improve the quality of output of the Deptartment of Library and Information Studies at UPNG, thereby enhancing the country's research environment.

Post-Project Summary

The Department of Library and Information Science carried out a number of continuing education workshops with a view to improving school libraries, enhancing information skills at the school and university level, and providing rural information services. The Library Development Seminar (May 1991), laid the framework for the development of a national library policy, while the School and Public Library Development Seminar (May 1991) resulted in the commissioning of a plan for a new Lae Public Library. Other seminars or conferences dealt with bibliographic standards and automation of library catalogues (December 1991); information support systems for development planning in Third World countries (July 1992); future development of libraries and the library profession in Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific Island States (July 1992); library networking in the South Pacific (July 1992); information skills in education; school libraries and information resources (September 1992); community information services (September 1992); information support for government, non-governmental organizations and small industries (December 1993); and geographic information systems (December 1993). A community information module was developed in two versions: a basic version for use in rural areas and a standard version for use where higher levels of literacy are involved. The module was tested at the community information services workshop mentioned above.

Recipient Institution(s)