The Role of Public Library in South Upper Egypt in Community Development : Libraries Qena Governorate as a model

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the role of public libraries in Qena Governorate in the service of the community and the extent of their contribution to the development of the community, in addition to the presentation of initiatives and events provided by / will be provided by public libraries in Qena to participate in community development. The study was based on the survey method through the inventory of public libraries in Qena Governorate, where the number of libraries reached 193 libraries out of a total of 227 by 85%, of which 155 libraries belonging to youth and sports centers and 20 libraries belonging to houses and palaces of culture and 12 children's libraries and 6 clubs libraries and these libraries distributed over 9 centers within the governorate of Qena, The questionnaire was used as a data collection as a tool consisting of 25 questions divided into four axes. The study found that: The public libraries in Qena Governorate provide many services through which they seek to serve and develop the community in addition to activities and training programs. They also participate in literacy and adult education programs and support the educational process. However, there are many difficulties which face these libraries in increasing its participation in community development such as weak budget and lake of specialists in library and information science, The researcher suggested a program to increase the contribution of public libraries in southern Upper Egypt to community development and empowerment.