Examining key strategies for building assistive technology (AT) competence of academic library personnel at university libraries in Midlands and Harare provinces in Zimbabwe

Abstract This study examines key strategies for building AT competence of academic librarians in three university libraries in the Midlands and Harare provinces in Zimbabwe. The three institutions are full members of the Zimbabwe University Libraries Consortium (ZULC). The study used a qualitative research approach. Using data from 30 participants collected through semi-structured interviews, the study established the need to scale up AT training of academic librarians in the participating institutions. The study provides insight into the extent to which participants were exposed to AT training, the major challenges to becoming better trained in AT, the appropriate solutions for eliminating the challenges, and ways of improving AT skills of academic librarians. The findings will alert consortium members in the Midlands and Harare provinces on the inadequacy of AT training of academic librarians. The study's recommendations will hopefully generate interest to apply appropriate strategies to improve AT competencies of academic librarians. This will promote effective AT implementation and usage in consortium members based in Midlands and Harare provinces.