Reports and Publications

Growing knowledge: access to research in east and southern Africa

Researchers in sub-Saharan Africa commonly highlight poor journal access as a serious hindrance to their academic work, but thanks to partnerships between librarians, publishers and a number of access initiatives, the four universities studied had 79% of the top 20 journals across 15 subject areas in 2009. But while availability and electronic access is improving dramatically in many universities, actual usage amongst staff and students  does not appear to be keeping pace.

For more details see our Growing knowledge page.

Digital resources for research: a review of access and use in African universities

This review was prepared as a background paper as part of the ACU's study for Arcadia on the the challenges and constraints to accessing and using online information.

For details of the project and to access the full report see our Growing knowledge page.

Unlocking the Potential: New Opportunities for Commonwealth Libraries

In 2009 the Network published a report based on a survey of members undertaken in 2008. In undertaking the survey and publishing this report, we were concerned with gaining a greater understanding of what libraries actually looked like in universities across the Commonwealth. This now gives us a firm foundation on which to build the future activities of the Network, and we would be keen to hear your views.

Consistent with our wish to engage university management in these issues and demonstrate that libraries really matter, we also sent a copy to all Vice-Chancellors. Additional print copies are available to Network members on request – please contact libraries@acu.ac.uk. ACU members can also download copies below (log-in required).

Download full report: Unlocking the Potential: New Opportunities for Commonwealth Libraries (Jonathan Harle, February 2009)

Download VC briefing: Commonwealth libraries: changing roles and new opportunities (Jonathan Harle, November 2008)