In Botswana, secondary schools are expected to be at the forefront in imparting information literacy to students to prepare them adequately for higher education or even for the labour market. However, students entering the University of Botswana from secondary schools to pursue academic programmes are largely information illiterate, thus posing great challenges to the university in terms of offering effective academic programmes. This paper discusses the information literacy (IL) challenges facing the University of Botswana occasioned by the admission of new students who lack the capacity to pursue university education because they are information illiterate. The conclusion proposes a framework for IL to help the University of Botswana address these challenges.
Australia. Department of Education and Youth Affairs. ( 2001) Information and communication technology for teaching and learning. (Online). Available at http://www.detya.gov.au/schools/publications/index.htm (Accessed 5 September 2004).
2.
Barrett, L. and Danks, M. ( 2003) Information literacy: a crucial role for schools. (Online). Available at: http://www.cilip.org.uk/publications/updatemagazine/archive2003/may/update0305c.htm (Accessed 17 May 2009).
3.
Botswana Gazette. (2009) UB celebrates Masire’s second coming. Wednesday 12-18 August, 2009, p. 6.
4.
Carr, J.A. ( 2004) Information literacy and teacher education. (Online). Available at: http://www.libraryinstruction.com/information-lit.html (Accessed 17 May 2009).
5.
Donnelly, A. and Craddock, C. ( 2002) Information literacy at Unilever R & D. Library & Information Update, December2002, 40-42.
6.
Dwyer, D.C., Ringstaff, C. and Haymore, J.S. ( 1986) Apple classrooms of tomorrow: research: ACOT Report 8 . Apple Computer Inc.
7.
e-Europe+. (2003) A cooperative effort to implement the information society in Europe: action plan. Lisbon: European Commission. 1-32.
8.
Farmer, L. ( 2001) Information literacy: a whole school reform approach. 67th IFLA Council and General Conference, August 16-25, 2001.
9.
Gaolathe, B. ( 2006) Budget speech. (Online). Available at: http://www.gov.bw/speeches/2006bs.pdf (Accessed 21 February 2006).
10.
Gerhan, D. and Mutula, S.M. ( 2005) Bandwidth bottlenecks at the University of Botswana: complications for library, campus, and national development. Library Hi Tech, 23(1) 102-117.
11.
Government of Botswana (2007) Botswana National ICT Policy. Gaborone: Government Printer.
12.
Horrocks, G. and Haines, M. ( 2004) Health information literacy and higher education: the King’s College London approach. Paper presented at the World and International Congress: 70th IFLA General Conference and Council, 22-27 August 2004, Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Online). Available at: http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla70/prog04.htm (Accessed on 10 November 2004).
13.
Jacobs, M.E. ( 2009) Integrating information literacy in elementary schools . N. York: New York City School Library System.
14.
Kedikilwe, P.H.K. ( 1998) Official opening speech. In Yandila, C.D. et al. (eds.) (1998) Improving education quality for effective learning: the teacher’s dilemma. Papers presented at the 3rd Biennial Conference on Teacher Education , Gaborone, August 26-29, 1997.
15.
Lloyd, A. ( 2005) Information literacy: different contexts, different concepts, different truths?Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 2005; 37: 82-88.
16.
Moahi, K. ( 2003) Teaching at the Department of Library and Information Studies: issues and concerns to consider as we prepare to commence teaching . Paper presented to Library and Information Studies Board on 20 August 2003. pp. 1-2.
17.
Mutula, S.M., Wamukoya, J. and Zulu, S.F. ( 2005) An evaluation of information literacy competencies amongst LIS students at the University of Botswana. Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery and Information Supply, 15(3) 77-93.
18.
Mutula, S.M., Kalusopa, T., Moahi, K. and Wamukoya, J. ( 2006) Implementation of online information literacy module: experiences of the Department of Library and Information Studies (LIS), University of Botswana. Paper presented at the UBel Workshop held on 25 January 2006 at the CAD Smart Room.
19.
Mutula, S.M. and Mutula, D.L. ( 2007) ICT integration in Botswana secondary schools: digital divide factor and implications for information literacy. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science, 17(2) 125-134.
20.
Onen, M. ( 2009) Assessment of information literacy programme in Maru-a-pula Private Senior Secondary School. M.Phil. Dissertation submitted to the Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Botswana .
21.
Pianfetti, S. ( 2001) Teachers and technology: digital literacy through professional development. Language Arts, 78(3) 255-262.
22.
Presidential Task Force. (1997) Long-term vision for Botswana: towards prosperity for all. Gaborone: Government Printer. 6p.
23.
Priestley, C. ( 2001) Revitalising public libraries in Africa: Kenya and Botswana update. INASP Newsletter, June, p 6.
24.
Ramsay, E., Ibbotson, P., Bell, J. and Gray, B. ( 2003) E-opportunities of service sector SMEs: an Irish cross-border study. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development , 10(3) 250-264.
25.
Republic of Botswana. (2007) Botswana National ICT Policy. Gaborone: Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology.
26.
Tella, A. and Mutula, S.M. ( 2008) Gender differences in computer literacy among undergraduate students at the University of Botswana: implications for library use. Malaysian Journal of information Science, 13(1) 61-76.
27.
Tomas Rivera Policy Institute. (2002) Information technology, TRPI. (Online). Available at: http://www.trpi.org/information_tech.html (Accessed 26 March 2003).
28.
Underwood, P. ( 2001) Report of the external examiner to the Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Botswana, for the academic year 2000/ 2001. Gaborone, Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Botswana, pp.1-9.
29.
UNESCO. (2003) Developing the ICT in education policy-makers toolkit: issues and rationale, Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education. (Online). Available at: http://www.unescobkk.org/education/ict/v2/info.asp?id=10985 (Accessed 5 September 2004).
30.
University of Botswana (2005) University of Botswana Calendar 2005-2006. Gaborone, Public Affairs Department. University of Botswana.
31.
University of Botswana (2008) Information skills baseline study 2007/2008 year one intake: A report. Gaborone: University of Botswana Library Services.
32.
University of Botswana (2009) University of Botswana Calendar 2008-2009. Gaborone, Public Affairs Department. University of Botswana.
33.
World Summit on the Information Society (2003 ) Draft declaration of principles. Geneva : SIS Civil Society Working Group. (Online). Available at: http://www.wsis-pct-org/prepcom2-declaration.html (Accessed on 7 November 2004).
