South African Public Libraries Research Articles

Leveraging community engagement to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 11

The aim of this study was to determine the ways in which academic libraries in South Africa use community engagement as a strategy to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – specifically Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 11 – in the context of the study. It followed a multi-methods approach to interview and hold focus group discussions with heads of libraries and librarians, respectively, in South African public university libraries. It was found that the libraries advance these Sustainable Development Goals in various ways, such as by employing library student assistants and interns from different backgrounds, and by serving as employers themselves. Furthermore, the libraries serve as custodians of local culture and heritage by curating, digitising and preserving local collections for posterity. However, collaborative efforts between the libraries and other heritage institutions, such as museums, archives and galleries, are few and far between, which is deemed a missed opportunity for more meaningful cultural and heritage impacts for these institutions. More collaborations and partnerships between these institutions are recommended, especially with regard to the digitisation of cultural heritage collections. Therefore, a clarion call is made for libraries to think more expansively about their role and consider including sustainable thinking as part of their mission in line with the American Library Association. The results demonstrate that libraries are uniquely positioned to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Cataloging Library Resources in a South African Public Library: A Case Study of Professional Knowledge

The paper examines the knowledge and practices of catalogers at the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Public Libraries (CCTML). The study aims to understand the extent to which catalogers understand current and emerging cataloging practices and to make recommendations for improving practice. The extent of access and the use of library resources depends greatly upon the quality of the library catalog. The following research questions were formulated: what cataloging knowledge do catalogers of CCTML have? How is cataloging carried out in CCTML? What challenges do catalogers of CCTML experience in cataloging library resources? Qualitative approach and case study design were employed. The population of the study was made of 6 catalogers. Data was collected through the focus group interview. Findings indicated that catalogers had knowledge of cataloging standards. They downloaded the catalog records from the OCLC although, they also created original catalog records in case they did not find the matching manifestations on OCLC. Moreover, they experienced challenges of assigning subject headings for non-roman scripts, allocation of the correct classification notation and the advanced use of the cataloging standards. The study recommends the exchange programmes in cataloguing, use of technological tools, artificial intelligence in cataloging.

Availability and use of assistive technologies at selected South African public libraries.

Assistive technologies (ATs) enable persons with visual impairment (PwVI) to equitably benefit from public library resources and services as their sighted counterparts. However, the extent to which this facility is available and used at public libraries in less-developed countries remains largely unknown. This study reports on the investigation done on the availability and use of ATs by PwVI at public libraries in the cities of Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg in South Africa. The study used a multimethod and explanatory sequential design in which data were collected through questionnaires administered with 131 librarians and interviews held with 10 PwVI. The findings of the study point towards inadequate availability of computers with internet services, audiotapes, screen magnifying and reading software, and these were used for, among others, leisure, research, job searching and communication. The study concludes that certain ATs were inadequately available and used by PwVI at some libraries in the cities of Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg. The study recommends training for PwVI on how to use ATs, marketing of available ATs, training of staff on how to render AT-based services as well as management availing adequate budget for the development of AT-based collection. The study contributes to the understanding of the types of ATs available and used by PwVI in public libraries.

Institutional commitment to community engagement in South African academic libraries

The paper sought to examine institutional commitment to community engagement (CE) in South African public university libraries. The research approach adopted was qualitative using three methods, interviews with Library Heads (LHs), focus groups discussions with Librarians and content analysis of the libraries' strategic plans. Data were collected, analysed and interpreted thematically using ATLAS.ti and according to the objectives of the study. Findings revealed that most libraries in South Africa reflect CE in their strategic objectives. However, having CE in the strategies objectives does not often translate to its funding and assessment by the universities. This points to a dissonance between policy and implementation. The study recommends that South African academic libraries should strive to utilise more quantitative and qualitative methods to assess their CE initiatives. Similar to other main functions of universities, such as teaching, learning and research; government should consider introducing a competitive funding model for the CE mandate to stimulate practical, academic and research interest in this niche.

Library books as environmental management capacity building opportunities exclude most South African languages

Social inclusion in South Africa’s environmental management remains a concern regardless of equality being enshrined in the country’s environmental management policy. This policy makes provisions for citizens to be afforded equal opportunities to learn about the environment and develop capacity to participate in environmental management. As South Africa is a multilingual country where most of the population does not use English as their primary language, environmental capacity development opportunities should ideally be linguistically accessible to all citizens to avoid perpetuating the pre-democratic exclusion of the languages spoken by most of the population of African descent. Given that public libraries play a role in promoting democracy, the books they catalogue are assumed to provide environmental management capacity development opportunities. Here we use the language of publication of public library books as an indicator for assessing the role of native South African languages in promoting environmental management opportunities. The books from South African public libraries considered in this study’s sample were found to provide environmental management capacity development opportunities in mostly English. Dominance of English in these capacity development opportunities excludes many citizens as most South Africans do not use English as their primary language. This study argues that such exclusion is at odds with South Africa’s inclusive environmental management policy and decreasing exclusion will require actions that support policy by encouraging publishing in Indigenous languages and elevating the status of marginalised languages.

Birds of a feather: partnerships towards community engagement in South African academic libraries

This paper adopted a qualitative research approach to assess the formation of partnerships towards community engagement (CE) in South African public university libraries. Online interviews with Library Heads and Community Participants as well as focus group discussions with Librarians were the two data collection methods used. Data were collected, analysed and interpreted thematically using ATLAS.ti. Findings revealed that in conducting CE, South African libraries foster several internal and external partnerships. These partnerships help the libraries to bridge the gap between the university libraries and the external communities as well as to strengthen bonds between the libraries and internal communities. Barries to partnerships include lack of commitment, non-sustainability of some partnerships, differences in organisational culture and internal processes, and poor or lack of communication. Strengths include sharing responsibility and resources, and an opportunity to create long-lasting bonds based on mutual benefits and trust. None of the academic libraries have an explicitly stated exclusion criteria for partners which may expose them to the danger of partnering with unscrupulous organisations and individuals. Therefore, it is recommended that, in forming partnerships, academic libraries should develop clear guidelines on the type of organisations and individuals to collaborate with to protect themselves from the possibility of partnering with unscrupulous organisations. Therefore, all academic library partnerships must be based on shared vision and values.

Addressing Epistemicide through the Integration of Indigenous Knowledge Are South African Public Libraries Ready

Addressing Epistemicide through the Integration of Indigenous Knowledge Are South African Public Libraries Ready

Measuring the Quality of Internet Connectivity Service Rendered to South African Public Libraries

The measuring of rendered services in any industry, especially in libraries, remains a critical tool to assess the satisfaction level of clients as well as the quality of the services. This article reports on a study that was undertaken to measure the quality of internet access service to South African public libraries by using the service quality model. The paper was guided by these objectives to identify the service quality models applicable to public libraries’ internet access; to determine how the quality of internet access service fits within the South African broadband policy; and to apply service quality dimensions to public libraries’ internet access. The study employed a quantitative approach and survey design in which a questionnaire was used to collect data from 322 heads of public libraries in South Africa. The stratified sampling method was used to obtain a proportional representation of public libraries. It emerged that most respondents regarded their internet service providers (ISPs) as incapable of solving their technical problems. It was further found that in most cases ISPs applied the internet access policies inconsistently to public libraries they served. The study recommended, among others, that internet connectivity to public libraries be centralised and that a competent provider be appointed to manage this service.

Examining the Extent of Internet Access in Public Libraries in South Africa

The provision of free internet access to users, anchors public libraries as the beacon to be heavily relied on for information access. This article reports on a study undertaken to determine the extent of internet access in South African public libraries. The paper was guided by research questions on the level of internet connectivity in South African public libraries and the challenges experienced in providing internet access to public libraries in South Africa. The study employed a survey design in which a questionnaire was used to collect data from 322 respondents, while interviews were used to collect data from nine participants. The study used the non-probability purposive sampling technique to select heads of provincial public libraries (directors) and further used stratified, probability proportional to size, and systematic techniques to select heads of public libraries. No sampling was done on the nine heads (directors) of provincial public libraries, as the nature of this population did not warrant further dissection due to its small size. The study achieved a response rate of 63% which was adequate to proceed with the analysis. It emerged that 97% of public libraries were connected to the internet, 80% of them were connected to the internet through fixed lines, and that each of the nine provinces had its own internet service provider. The study recommended, among others, that fixed lines for internet access be laid to all public libraries in South Africa, and that a government agency be used as a dedicated internet service provider for public libraries across all nine provinces.

Regulatory Frameworks Impacting on the South African Public Libraries Internet Access

ABSTRACT Legislation governing public libraries as well as internet access exists in many countries across the globe. Key to the existence of legislation is the assurance that information services and access are developed within the set regulatory framework. Since the existence of public libraries especially in South Africa is highly regulated, it becomes imperative for Library and Information Services (LIS) practitioners to be conversant with regulations governing the sector. This paper reports on a study that was undertaken to examine legislation and support mechanisms that promote equitable information access in South African public libraries. Internet access was part of the study as it forms the basis toward bridging the digital divide. The study was necessitated by the view that puts access to information as a right which is guaranteed by Chapter 2 of the Bill of Rights, enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act No. 108 of). As a result, public libraries serve as the platform on which information is disseminated and accessible to communities. The paper was guided by research questions on; the extent of public libraries development in South Africa; regulations impacting on public libraries and awareness of regulation governing internet access to public libraries. The study employed a survey design in which a questionnaire was used to collect data from sampled 322 respondents while interviews were used to collect data from nine participants.

Debating Darwin at the Cape

This paper focuses attention on the fortunes of Darwin's theory among the English-speaking community in Cape Colony during the latter part of the nineteenth century. The paper begins with a review of early encounters with Darwin dwelling particularly on the response of figures like Roderick Noble - professor and editor of the Cape Monthly Magazine, the geologist John Shaw, and Sir Henry Barkly, governor of the colony. Besides these more theoretical responses, Darwin's ideas were also mobilised in a range of scientific inquiries on such subjects as birds and butterflies. But most conspicuous was the use of evolutionary thought-forms in the work of the eminent philologist Wilhelm Bleek, cousin of Darwin's leading German apologist, Ernst Haeckel. The prevailing sense is of a liberal intelligentsia calmly interacting with a novel theory with all due deference. During the 1870s, an address by Langham Dale at the South African Public Library injected new energy into the Darwin discussion. Dale expressed disquiet over some of the anthropological implications of evolution as well as its apparent reductionism, and this stimulated a range of reactions. Several anonymous commentators responded but the most sustained evaluation of Dale's position emanated from the Queenstown physician and later politician, Sir William Bisset Berry. Then, in 1874, copious extracts from John Tyndall's infamous 'Belfast Address' were printed in the Cape Monthly and this added yet further impetus to the debate. Tyndall's seeming materialism bothered a number of readers, not least Hon William Porter, former attorney-general of Cape Colony. To figures like these the materialist extrapolations of radical Darwinians such as Haeckel were deeply disturbing, not just for religious reasons, but because they seemed to destabilise the moral and pedagogic progressivism that lay at the heart of their civilising credo. While reservations about Darwin's proposals were certainly audible, taken in the round Darwinian conversations among the English-speaking literati at the Cape were conducted with liberal sentiments, not least when evolutionary science approached questions of race. For Darwin's writings were seen to confirm a monogenetic account of the origin and unity of the human race, and could readily be called upon to justify the paternalistic ideology that governed colonial affairs.

Developing a GIS-based inventory of South Africa's public libraries: The Public and Community Libraries Inventory of South Africa (PaCLlSA) project

During 2000-2004 a project was undertaken to create a comprehensive and informative inventory of South African public and community libraries, the Public and Community Libraries Inventory of South Africa (PaCLISA). The project was executed in two phases, initially under the guidance of the Libraries Working Group of the Print Industries Cluster Council (PICC). Phase 1 was carried out during 2000-2001 and funded by The Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Foundation for Library and Information Service Development (FLISD), through the National Library of South Africa. The Centre for Geo-Information Science of the University of Pretoria was contracted to carry out the project. In light of the response to Phase 1, a consultative process was followed to redesign the inventory questionnaire, after which Phase 2 was carried out during 2003-2004 as a project of the Department of Information Science and the Centre for Geo-Information Science of the University of Pretoria. Although the project was not an unqualified success, it was a valuable learning experience. The article provides an overview of the project with special emphasis on the lessons that have been learned and what these imply for future efforts to inventorise South Africa's public libraries.

Towards measuring the performance of public libraries in South Africa

Following the publication of the report of the Public and Community Libraries Inventory of South Africa (Paclisa), an issue for further investigation was raised given the difficulties that many libraries had experienced in completing the questionnaire. A Working Group on Public Library Statistics (WGPLS) was established to work on the drafting of a simpler data collection instrument. Our paper describes the process of arriving at joint understanding of the aims and objectives of measuring performance in the South African public library system. A brief discussion of the purpose and rationale of collecting statistical data, and their role as performance measures and indicators for public libraries in South Africa follows. The proposed statistical form and the indicators that could be derived are presented. The paper concludes with suggestions of future steps to be taken, including a consideration by libraries of outcomes, and the difference made by libraries to people's lives.

Adult education in South African public libraries: a profile of activities

This paper reports on the ftndings of a research investigation into the role of South African public libraries in adult education]. A questionnaire was distributed to 1295 public libraries for the collection of statistical and qualitative information in an attempt to build national and provincial proftles of adult education activities. There was a good response rate of 45.5%. The survey was complemented by site visits to eleven public libraries in order to illuminate the issues facing libraries in this fteld The results show that most public libraries do not participate at all in any adult education initiatives: 76.9% do not participate while 23. I% do. A profile of activities is presented. A case study of a single anonymous library is presented to provide an opportunity to understand the lived experience of the activities from the perspective of the providers and of the learners. The paper concludes by speculating on the reasons for the low lev'el of engagement in an area that is theoretically espoused by the library community.

Social capital : a fresh vision for public libraries in South Africa?

The article argues that the construct of social capital offers South African public librarianship fresh vision - urgently needed if it is to fulfil its potential role in social inclusion. Social capital refers to the stocks of social trust, norms and networks that a community can draw on to solve common problems. A wide body of research in Southern Africa bears witness to its role in the success of development projects. Restrictive economic policies, coupled with new demands, have put pressure on public libraries and research points to a prevailing low morale among their staff, who, it is suggested, find themselves caught in the transition towards new models of service. Government's acceptance of social capital as a crucial tool in the developmental state and the news of its intervention to transform South African public libraries suggest the need to articulate the library as ''a place for all''. In reaction to neglect in the literature of social capital, internationally, librarians have documented their building of social capital through their education, information and community programmes. This work offers South African librarians a rich resource to draw on in their search for new direction and vision.

Poverty, Social Exclusion, and the Potential of South African Public Libraries and Community Centres

Is the full potential of public libraries and community centres, in combating poverty and social exclusion in disadvantaged communities, acknowledged in South Africa and can a heightened awareness of their role as social institutions make a difference in this regard? In addressing these questions, the researcher defines social exclusion and identifies its characteristics. Poverty is also defined and its statistics are provided for South Africa. Sachs' (2005) concept of the role of 'public understanding' in poverty reduction strategies is considered in conjunction with the role of libraries in combating social exclusion. The research approach comprises a survey of the literature on attempts to address social exclusion. The results of a survey are presented, and identify specific, achievable, local instances of social exclusion initiatives from South Africa. The research is qualitative and uses a simple form of thematic analysis. The initiatives identified support the view that efforts at broad social inclusion are found in South African public libraries and community centres. While small scale in its reach, the work of public libraries and community centres is being directed at areas where the need is very great in terms of addressing poverty. In depth studies of the communities are needed to evaluate the projects and their level of success. Collaborative approaches, together with adequate funding from government are likely to succeed in fostering social inclusion in the longer term and libraries have the potential to be key role players. Ideas and practice about the development of such endeavours should be shared.

South African Public Libraries After Apartheid

One of the challenges a postcolonial society has to face is reconciliation, the righting of wrongs and forgiveness. In South Africa, this includes the integration of all ethnic groups into every part of society. Public libraries are one such part of society. This paper studies the changes that have been going on in South African public libraries since the end of Apartheid. The paper also explores how public libraries can play a role in the preservation of all South African cultures, with a view to the future and the essential role of public libraries in the post-Apartheid society.

Place, Space and Time: Adult Education Experiences of Learners and Librarians in South African Public Libraries

Drawing on results of a national survey, this article examines adult education in South African public libraries from the perspective of adult learners and librarians. Quantitative data from 589 libraries from the total sample of 1295 libraries was collected. This was supplemented by qualitative data collected during site visits to eleven libraries selected to cover geographical spread. The activities of the 26.7% of the libraries involved in adult education are analysed with a view to understanding the interventions through the experience and perceptions of the participants, and so arriving at an understanding of the contribution of the libraries' role in the fight against illiteracy which is acknowledged by the South African government as a serious impediment to its development efforts. An attempt is made to assess the extent to which the experiences in the libraries can be said to be particular to the local situation, or whether the lessons learned form part of a broader pattern of adult education policy and practice observed in other parts of the world, especially developing countries. It is concluded that, in spite of the modest scale of the interventions, the impact is sufficiently encouraging to recommend intensifying and spreading initiatives in the public library's drive for social inclusion.

South African Public Library Services to Culturally Diverse Communities: Analysing the Status Quo and Planning for the Future

South African Public Library Services to Culturally Diverse Communities: Analysing the Status Quo and Planning for the Future

Adult education in South African public libraries: enabling conditions and inhibiting factors

Adult education in South African public libraries: enabling conditions and inhibiting factors