Afrikanische Wissenschaftler sehen sich unterschiedlichen Schwierigkeiten gegenüber, wenn sie auf aktuelle Literatur zugreifen wollen. SciDevNet benennt ein paar:
African scientists are making increased use of online scientific journals but many are still not aware of free access, according to a study.
Researchers also warned that slow Internet connections and librarians’ control over passwords is hindering what access there is.
Eine vorläufige PDF-Version der Studie “Access to electronic health knowledge in five countries in Africa: a descriptive study” ist bei BioMedCentral abrufbar.
Respondents were concerned about the management of passwords to access electronic journals within their institutions, explaining that it was difficult to obtain passwords from administration or librarians, who either do not make them readily available, or who “may not always be available to provide them”. Others referred to a tension between library staff (as gate-keepers of passwords) and Internet users, for example, a librarian explained “…use of institutional password is not convenient for users…because they need the librarians to access the password…those who heard from their colleagues about HINARI but do not meet us when they come to the library usually get offended”. Another librarian expressed concern that users “appear to be in a hurry” and don’t consult the librarians before accessing websites; and this was perceived as users “boycotting” the librarians. There were several requests described circumventing high subscription fees by using their contacts in overseas institutions to obtain articles from priced journals, including the Cochrane Library.
Ein Nutzer soll die Bibliothek kontaktieren, bevor er auf eine Homepage zugreift? Ein erstaunliches Berufsbild! Der Bibliothekar als prohibitiver Hüter des Wissens sollte doch eigentlich allmählich ausgedient haben.