Abstract:
With the high levels of present-day technological advancement, many institutions and colleges in
developing countries have awakened to the need of establishing institutional repositories to match
the standards of well-established long-standing colleges, in spite of inadequate infrastructure and
limited financial resources. The aim of the study was to make an ethical investigation on the
preparedness of selected Universities and colleges in Zambia, regarding the establishment of
institutional repositories in higher learning Institutions.
A total of three (3) selected higher learning institutions from Lusaka was the sample size of the
study. The method used was in-depth interviews (face-to-face) to elicit key information from
particular staff in the three institutions so as to qualify preparedness in the institutions.
Respondents included twelve (12) members, that is, from management, chief librarian, IT
technician and teaching staff (Lecturer).
The findings revealed that there was little knowledge or competent ignorance of the existence of
IRs in the selected institutions in Zambia. It was also noticed that the institutions had inadequate
infrastructure to fully establish an IR. Although most institutions indicated to have management’s
full support, others did not despite having expressed interest. Further, the limitation of the study
was that it will be exclusive to the selected institutions meaning, generalization can only be to the
institutions that share similar conditions and setting as the selected ones in the setting up of IRs.
With regard to the investigation, the utilization evaluation showed that benefits of the study will
equip the higher learning institutions with knowledge and information required by students,
lectures and the community at large.
Consequently, the investigation concluded that the selected Universities and colleges in Zambia
needed wide spread orientation to enhance preparedness in establishing IRs. The study contributes
empirical literature regarding preparedness in establishing IRs in the selected higher learning
institutions in Zambia.
