{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,16]],"date-time":"2026-02-16T20:46:53Z","timestamp":1771274813180,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":24,"publisher":"Emerald","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2009,2,13]],"date-time":"2009-02-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1234483200000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/site-policies"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2009,2,13]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Purpose<\/jats:title><jats:p>This paper seeks to report on an investigation of the implementation of a common library system for the Lesotho Library Consortium (LELICO). The outcome is to be a strategy for implementing the INNOPAC library system in LELICO.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Design\/methodology\/approach<\/jats:title><jats:p>The paper drew on a survey of LELICO member libraries and the experiences of selected consortia and libraries in the Southern African region. The level of automation, financial status, preferred system properties, and the modules required by LELICO member libraries were the main areas of investigation. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaires were sent to the 12 heads of the LELICO member libraries, and there were follow\u2010up interviews with five library heads. Relevant sources were consulted to provide additional information.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p>It was found that financial constraints influenced levels of computerisation in the majority of LELICO member libraries. It was also found that the required modules are: Acquisitions, Cataloguing, Circulations, Management Information, OPAC, and Serials. The system properties of Functionality, Usability, Support and Training, and Vendor were considered important for a common library system. The experiences of selected consortia and libraries in the Southern African region showed that the INNOPAC library system is the most suitable for LELICO.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Practical implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The paper proposes a strategy for implementing the INNOPAC library system in LELICO, and makes recommendations for member libraries.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p>The findings may be useful to other small, multi\u2010type consortia considering the implementation of a common library system.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/02640470910934551","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2009,2,14]],"date-time":"2009-02-14T07:52:17Z","timestamp":1234597937000},"page":"5-19","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["Implementing a common library system for the Lesotho Library Consortium"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"27","author":[{"given":"Nthabiseng","family":"Taole","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Archie L.","family":"Dick","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2022012920092920100_b1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alemna, A.A. 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(1999), \u201cBarriers in using new information technology in document delivery in the Third World: prospects for the IFLA project in Ghana\u201d, Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 108\u201015.","DOI":"10.1108\/02641619910285367"},{"key":"key2022012920092920100_b13","unstructured":"Kopp, J. (1998), \u201cLibrary consortia and information technology: the past, the present, the promise\u201d, Information Technology and Libraries, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 7\u201012."},{"key":"key2022012920092920100_b14","unstructured":"LELICO web site (n.d.), available at: www.lelico.org.ls (accessed September 2006)."},{"key":"key2022012920092920100_b15","unstructured":"Lesotho Government web site (n.d.), available at: www.lesotho.gov.ls (accessed February 2008)."},{"key":"key2022012920092920100_b16","unstructured":"Lesotho Review (2008), An Overview of the Kingdom of Lesotho Economy, Wade Publications, Maseru."},{"key":"key2022012920092920100_b17","unstructured":"Makara, M. 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