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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Articles 1 - 10 of 10

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Ict Usage In Microfinance Institutions In Uganda, Joseph Kaumba Ssewanyana Dec 2009

Ict Usage In Microfinance Institutions In Uganda, Joseph Kaumba Ssewanyana

The African Journal of Information Systems

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are always often faced with high operating costs to provide financial services to the poor people and Small and Medium Enterprises. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has been found to promote the dual objective of microfinance - sustainability and outreach to the poor people. Using a quantitative survey and descriptive research approach, this paper has established the extent to which ICT has been used in the microfinance institutions in Uganda. Despite the barriers, ICT usage in MFIs has been on the rise; and different applications and technologies have been adopted by some MFIs to control costs, create …


Reinventing Libraries For The Next Generation Of Library Users, La Loria Konata Oct 2009

Reinventing Libraries For The Next Generation Of Library Users, La Loria Konata

Georgia Library Quarterly

The article calls for the need to reinvent libraries for the next generation of library users. It stresses the value of being able to provide customer satisfaction, building and maintaining loyalty as well as resolving customer complaints so as to compete with other libraries. It also points out the importance of branding as a marketing strategy and encourages libraries to adhere to the liaison model or subject specialist model in providing specialized service. Also suggested are steps for marketing library services.


Macon State Showcases 'Lost' Literature Oct 2009

Macon State Showcases 'Lost' Literature

Georgia Library Quarterly

The article reviews the literature exhibit "Lost" at the Macon State College's library in Georgia.


Blogging Communities Spurred To Action, Leonard Witt Oct 2009

Blogging Communities Spurred To Action, Leonard Witt

Faculty and Research Publications

The article discusses the use of blogs to raise awareness of civil rights and social justice issues. When the public recognizes the invaluable role that high-quality journalism plays in social action, the author says that social media and journalism will become truly linked in common purpose. He suggests making the coverage of civil rights and social justice issues the core of a digital news organization or creating such content in partnership with other journalistic enterprises. He believes that if various online communities can find ways to come together in common purpose, they can come up with a new model of …


Georgia Library News Now On Twitter Oct 2009

Georgia Library News Now On Twitter

Georgia Library Quarterly

The article informs that the Georgia Public Library Services (GPLS) has created a Twitter account, Georgialibs. According to GPLS Webmaster Darin Givens, the GPLS Twitter feed will be useful communications tool for getting brief reminders about upcoming library events, conferences and workshops. Given adds that it will also be used for linking public library news items.


Encouraging Faculty Requests For Library Materials: Midwest’S New Book Selection Service, Lydia F. Knight Jul 2009

Encouraging Faculty Requests For Library Materials: Midwest’S New Book Selection Service, Lydia F. Knight

Georgia Library Quarterly

The article discusses the use of Midwest Library Service's notification scheme by Dalton State College in Georgia. It offers a New Book Selection Service, which replaces the notification slip as a medium of distributing announcements on forthcoming titles. This information is sent by electronic mail instead. The lists can be profiled using the Library of Congress Subject Classification.


We Love Libraries!, Jenny Mccurdy Jul 2009

We Love Libraries!, Jenny Mccurdy

Georgia Library Quarterly

The author discusses how she can contribute to the advocacy of the interests of libraries. She emphasizes the importance of timely communication with authorities involved in funding. She also cites social networking and collaboration as crucial factors in library success. Selling proposals to library authority is also discussed.


Building Collaborative Reference And Instructional Services For Distance Education Students, Angela P. Whitehurst, Carolyn N. Willis Apr 2009

Building Collaborative Reference And Instructional Services For Distance Education Students, Angela P. Whitehurst, Carolyn N. Willis

The Southeastern Librarian

To meet the needs of rigorous educational programs, academic libraries must make a commitment to serve growing distance education (DE) populations. Students who participate in distance education are typically older, nontraditional students with unique characteristics who need special services provided by their university library in order to obtain an education equal to their on-campus counterparts. Creating a successful reference and instructional service for distance education students not only takes planning, collaboration, and assessment, but also requires knowing your audience, constantly experimenting with new technologies, expecting the unexpected, and being ready to problem-solve at a moment’s notice. In this article, the …


Social Networking As A Communications Weapon To Harm Victims: Facebook, Myspace, And Twitter Demonstrate A Need To Amend Section 230 Of The Communications Decency Act, Joshua N. Azriel Apr 2009

Social Networking As A Communications Weapon To Harm Victims: Facebook, Myspace, And Twitter Demonstrate A Need To Amend Section 230 Of The Communications Decency Act, Joshua N. Azriel

Faculty and Research Publications

The article discusses how social networking sites can pose a danger to victims of online offensive content. Part II provides an overall analysis of the dangers the Internet, especially social networking, poses to victims. Part III reviews Section 230 of the CDA, including the “Good Samaritan” provisions for social networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook. Part IV analyzes three recent court cases that demonstrate how these social networking tools are used as weapons to harm victims. Part V concludes with a discussion of how the growing number of online incidents stem from social networking sites. It recommends that Congress …


Formalisation Of Information Systems In Sub-Saharan African Small And Medium Enterprises: Case Of Botswana, Richard Duncombe, Alemayehu Molla Feb 2009

Formalisation Of Information Systems In Sub-Saharan African Small And Medium Enterprises: Case Of Botswana, Richard Duncombe, Alemayehu Molla

The African Journal of Information Systems

This article provides an exploratory model that assesses the factors that influence formalisation of information systems (IS) for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa drawing on data gathered in Botswana. The paper defines four levels of formalisation of IS for SMEs and identifies the internal and external factors that influence the process of IS formalisation. Key findings demonstrate a strong reliance on informal information practices amongst SMEs, alongside widespread unmet demand for formal information. It is also observed that successful enterprise development requires optimum use of both formal and informal IS. Evidence suggests this is achieved through developing …