https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/26675 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:50:25 GMT 2026-04-24T03:50:25Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/30465 Title: Information literacy before and after information communication technology Abstract: IL has become an integral part of our lives. It is the basis of Lifelong Learning and professional development. It gives us the skills necessary to integrate better in today’s “Information Society” (IS). The basic library and Information Technology (IT) skills are how to recognise the need of information; determine ways of addressing this information; create and plan on how to approach the locations to look for information; discover and acquire information; come up with and assess information; set up structure to the information, put to use and pass on the information; and how to combine resources and develop information in the most efficacious way. IL is not just the IT training specific to the IT industry or to the skills necessary for performing IT jobs, but it also includes courses related to the application, design, development, implementation, support and management of computer-based information systems and not just how to send e-mail, use word processors and operating systems. The unfolding of a collection of understanding and skills vital in the IS are research, interpretation, assessment, dissemination and implementation for appropriate judgement making. There are many different definitions of IL but the three main ones I will adhere to are according to the American Library Association (ALA); IL is defined as a set of abilities requiring individuals to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate and use effectively the needed information. Description: DIP.L.I.S. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/30465 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/26976 Title: The Gozo Civic Council Fond Abstract: This study shows the importance of the Gozo Civic Council in the history of politics in Gozo. It was the first form of administration of the present local councils. With his determination and courage Dr. Anton Tabone obtained the permission from the British Colonial Government to form an administrative Council specifically for the island of Gozo. In line with Ordinance XI, Dr. Tabone formed the Council with all the requested committees. Each and every committee discussed with the Council their proposals and important issues which regarded the villages around Gozo and also works that needed to be done urgently in the island. The Council functioned more or less the way politics function today. A yearly election was held so that the members of the Council and the Committees could be elected, and after that every elected member was voted for all the positions available within the Council to be filled. The president together with the vice-president and secretary/treasurer always conducted the meetings. Motions were presented by the members themselves and almost in every meeting resolutions were presented by the committees so that they can be accepted or postponed for another meeting by the Council. Apart from these meetings, the Council and sometimes the President himself had meetings with other departments of the Central Government and also with important figures which at the time served the British Colony or the Government of Malta. Together they discussed important matters that were left dormant before the Council was formed, thus needing immediate action to be taken, for the improvement of the tiny island of Gozo. The Council also had its bank account, where funds were collected from renting and selling of property and lands and from funds received by the government to continue with the projects and to pay its employees. Such funds were transferred from the government departments. Without them, the Council could not materialise the projects discussed during the meetings. It is interesting to note that the concept of ‘civic council’, or even better, ‘regional council’, is actually being discussed again today, since the concept of Gozo as a region is very important and may be the solution for many administrative challenges that exist. With all the problems it encountered, the Council was able to make important achievements for Gozo, and information about all this is available to the general public at the National Archives of Malta – Gozo Section, in the Gozo Civic Council Fond (CC). The National Archives of Gozo is a very important depositary of the national memory where the island of Gozo is concerned. The Gozo Civic Council material was passed on to the Archives by the son of the Council’s founder and President, Dr. Anton Tabone, who also carries his namesake, and at the time served as Minister for Gozo. This material together will all the other fonds found at the Archives is kept in a very good condition by the administration. This fond is not complete and thus one must appeal to the general public to pass on to the Archives any material related to the Gozo Civic Council. Description: DIP.ARCHIVES&RECORDS MANGT. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/26976 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/26720 Title: The Malta libraries online e-book library : extending adoption through outreach within the Maltese population Abstract: E-books are a relatively modern phenomenon brought about by technological forces and the increasing value attributed both to mobility and accessibility. E-books are amongst the novelties that have redefined the role of libraries. This study adopts the definition proposed by Armstrong and Lonsdale (2011), in that an e-book comprises any content that is recognisably ‘book-like’ and made available electronically for reference or reading on any device that includes a screen. Nurturing a reading culture is desired in an environment characterised with a relatively low level of reading literacy. Meticulous outreach within the Maltese population is a fruitful approach offered by Malta Libraries through its various services. E-books could be considered as one of the tools to fostering a much-needed reading culture, deliver library services to those individuals unable to reach the library premises or finding difficulty in reading conventional books, promote inclusion and also fulfilling portability needs of users. This study focuses on how Malta Libraries is utilising the potential of community outreach to extend adoption of e-books within the Maltese population. E-books could exploit the keenness that the Maltese population has for technology, including heavy use of smart-phones, tablets, laptops and the social media. In fact, e-books are having their fair share of success since their launch in 2016, with approximately 350 monthly e-book loans. A qualitative case study approach was employed for this study. Three face-to-face semi-structured interviews were held with senior officials at the Malta Libraries to obtain a practical overview of the strategic thoughts on e-books, the future prospects and outreach techniques being explored to extend adoption within the Maltese population. These interviews complement the reviewed literature on ebooks and the revamped role of memory institutions. This study also comprises a Strength/Weakness/Opportunities/Threats (SWOT) analysis of the e-books project at Malta Libraries, thereby reinforcing the importance of providing a strategic approach to e-books and outreach activities. It transpires that the most promising segment for e-books is ‘children’. Thus, executing outreach efforts in schools and related institutions could be highly beneficial. Story-telling, educational activities/events, informative leaflets, the internet and particularly social media have been found to be the principal outreach methods adopted by Malta Libraries. Amongst the critical recommendations, one could mention the importance of having a proper collection development policy for e-books, broaden the variety of titles, and follow best practices on community outreach for e-books by strengthening cooperation with other foreign public libraries and local stakeholders. The potential of OverDrive’s marketing and outreach materials should also be fully utilised. The most important element that could extend adoption of e-books within the Maltese population is the mindset of the library staff itself. Librarians at Malta Libraries must realise that the role of libraries is being redefined and thereby their roles and responsibilities must be redefined accordingly. Description: DIP.L.I.S. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/26720 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/26717 Title: Records management in the public sector : the transition from registries to records centres Abstract: Since 1961, the government registries have always been the hub where every document written on paper was kept for various business transactions. The introduction of computers in government registries created a secure and efficient system to register the daily activities. Upon the enactment of the National Archives Act (NAA) in 2005, the government administration also had to address the salient issue of keeping records for posterity by employing records officers within the public service. The main objective of this study is to investigate the current records management practice in the government registries, compared to autonomous records centres. It also aims to investigate to what extent the efforts to restructure records management systems answer the current challenges and create the desired impact in the respective entities. In order to reach these objectives, the study engaged relevant local professionals who took part in interviews and email questionnaires. Although a range of other aspects of records management had been studied locally, the investigation of transitioning government registries to records centres is a relatively new topic. The main findings of the essay highlight how the scope of registries and records centres differ from each other in particular, in the domain of electronic records. The records centres are more advanced and comply with the practices of records management. Hence they are good practice for government registries which can be adopted wider in the future. Description: DIP.ARCHIVES&RECORDS MANGT. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/26717 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z