The Role of Academic Libraries in Enhancing Workflow in African Universities

Abstract

An academic library may be beautifully designed but with little impact on the research output of its users. This study identified these gaps with reference to African libraries. Researchers, irrespective of their area of interest, have a common research workflow which defines the entire research process. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tools can be embedded at every level of the workflow creating an enabling research environment to ease research process and better output. Academic librarians, as part of their role in supporting teaching, learning and research, are expected to introduce, advocate and create awareness and offer support services on available relevant products and services that can be embedded at every level of the research workflow. This study identified new products and services and suggested how they can be embedded through the research process. The study concluded that embedding these new products and services in research workflow will improve the quality of researches emanating from Africa and ultimately improve our research visibility globally.