UEW Appoints Dr. Antonia Bernadette Donkor as Substantive University Librarian

The Governing Council of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has appointed Dr. Antonia Bernadette Donkor as the University’s substantive University Librarian. She assumed duty on 1st October, 2026.

Dr. Donkor succeeds Ms. Agatha Gifty Larson, who served as Acting University Librarian.

Her appointment marks a new chapter in the leadership of the University Library, which plays a vital role in supporting teaching, learning, research and knowledge dissemination across the University.

Profile of Dr. Antonia Bernadette Donkor

Dr. Antonia Bernadette Donkor is an accomplished information professional, researcher and academic leader whose career sits at the intersection of knowledge management, academic librarianship, digital transformation and scholarly communication. As a Senior Librarian, she has combined frontline professional practice with research, institutional leadership and the delivery of responsive, innovative library services, over the past two decades. She has held a number of leadership responsibilities at the University of Ghana’s Balme Library.  These include; Head of the Reference Services Department and Head of the Africana Library,

Her academic journey reflects a strong commitment to both scholarship and professional excellence. She holds a PhD in Information Science from the University of South Africa, an MPhil in Information Studies from the University of Ghana, a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from the University of Education, Winneba, a Bachelor’s degree in Information Studies and Sociology, and a Diploma in Librarianship from the University of Ghana. She has complemented these qualifications with specialist training in statistical analysis, regression and modelling, inferential statistics, digital marketing, gender in public-sector administration, and scientific publishing.

Dr. Donkor’s professional distinction is particularly evident in her research and scholarly contributions. Her work explores how libraries and information professionals can respond to the rapidly changing digital, technological and research environments. Her areas of focus include open science, digital literacy, personal information management and library services for students with disabilities. Her work further examines research support services, academic library contributions to research and scholarly communication, open data, open peer review, incentives for open science and citizen science.

She has developed a notable body of scholarly work spanning journal articles, books, and book chapters addressing personal information management, information technology adoption, online learning, artificial intelligence in academic libraries, digital service delivery and the changing role of libraries in higher education. Her recent scholarship includes research on AI applications in academic library services, online learning, the integration of newly employed librarians into academic libraries and technology adoption in education. Her scholarly presentations have taken her into national and international forums where she has addressed issues ranging from AI readiness in African academic libraries and digital learning to personal information management, copyright, library service continuity and the transformation of academic library practice.

Dr. Donkor has taken on significant leadership and institutional service responsibilities at the University of Ghana, serving on the Library Board, Academic Board, Research, Innovation and Development Management Board and Volta Hall Council. She has also chaired major committees on open science, information literacy, research seminars, publications, online content and library development. These responsibilities demonstrate sustained engagement with institutional planning, professional governance and the advancement of academic support systems.

Dr. Donkor has also been pivotal to institutional capacity building and knowledge transfer. She has facilitated library instruction and orientations for undergraduate and postgraduate students, supported visiting international students, coordinated student internships, contributed to professional workshops and served as a reviewer for scholarly publications and conferences. Her professional service includes leadership roles within the Ghana Library Association, membership of professional networks including the American Library Association and the founder of the Females in Librarianship Network.

Her professional profile reflects a sustained commitment to strengthening academic library services, improving access to and use of information, supporting researchers and learners and positioning libraries to respond meaningfully to emerging developments in technology and open scholarship. With her expertise, she brings to the University of Education, Winneba a multidisciplinary perspective to the evolving role of libraries in higher education and knowledge development.