From outreach to new models of library service (original) (raw)

Library and information services in South Africa: an overview

IFLA journal, 2007

Opening with a review of information policy, the article describes information sources, systems and services in South Africa, embedding them in the wider national information system. A description of the library and information education and training sector and the organized profession follow. This overview is based on literature retrieved from the available, mostly electronic, databases. Keywords: library and information systems; library and information services; access to information; education and training; South Africa

Library and Information Services in Africa in the Twenty-First Century

2015

This paper traces the important developments in school librarianship in South Africa since 2007, during which time the drive to address huge backlogs in school library provision has gained momentum-largely, it argues, from the intersections of two phenomena: the Library and Information Services (LIS) Transformation Charter; and Equal Education, a civic-action NGO campaigning on behalf of school libraries. South African youth face daunting challenges, and their schooling is perhaps where the heritage of apartheid is most visible. The lack of libraries, it is argued, has undermined the attempts at curricular reform since the late 1990s. The daunting backlogs in school library provision mean that innovative models of service will be needed that cut across existing divisions. Given the impact of the lack of school libraries on all sectors of LIS, the paper examines the recommendations in the LIS Transformation Charter that South African LIS should turn to the concept of ecosystem to pro...

Mapping the fit : library and information services and the national transformation agenda in South Africa, Part 11

South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 2014

This article, the first of two parts, is an update of one which appeared in the IFLA journal in 2007 . Progress since 2007 is mapped in terms of the fit between the library and information services available and the national transformation agenda. It reviews information policy and describes information sources, systems and services in South Africa as part of the wider national information system. It stops short of describing the situation pertaining to school libraries, archives, record centres and museums, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), embassies, commercial database industry and indigenous knowledge which are covered in Part II. The sectors concerned with the dissemination of information and information technology are also described in Part II, as well as the library and information education and training sector and the organised profession. This overview is based on literature retrieved from the available, mostlye/ectronic, databases. Keywords: Library and information systems and services; access to information; South Africa I. Christine Stilwell is Professor, Information Studies Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Email stilwell@ukzn.ac.za. SAJnl Libs & Info Sci 2008, 74(2) appropriate accessfor minors and children which poses particular policy challenges(Internet Access Policy Project 2007).

Mapping the fit: library and information services and the national transformation agenda in South Africa, part II

South African Journal of Library and Information Science Suid Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Biblioteek En Inligtingkunde, 2009

The challenges of building an information society in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

2010

The participants in the World Summit on the Information Society, including South Africa, have committed themselves to building the information society in their respective countries and communities. Most countries and communities that have benefited from the information society have been those in the developed countries. Developing communities specifically those that are poor and rural are

Towards a transformed library and information sector in South Africa: rethinking roles

South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 2009

The paper examines the current state of libraries in South Africa. It draws on the state's role in the provision of library services since South Africa became a democracy in 1994. There seems to be a worrisome aspect that the place of public libraries within local and provincial governments is in a state of uncertainty. Hence the urgency with which the National Council for Library and Information Services (NCLIS) is approaching the problem by having appointed a technical team to develop broad legislative and policy guidelines for the transformation of the library and information services (LIS) sector. The focus of the paper is rather on an argument for a rethink of the role of libraries and librarians within the local and provincial context. It is the author's contention that the services of a library should contribute towards the quality of life, that is, the library should play a role in education, the promotion of moral values, the eradication of illiteracy, the alleviation of poverty and assisting in the quest for knowledge and the promotion of democracy in society. The whole notion of democracy needs to be deconstructed. Certain objectives need to be set in order to attain this aim of the library, namely, the library should foster and provide certain facilities for the development of individuals and groups at all levels of education, for example, a study area and an activity room or auditorium; the library should be accessible to the user to fulfil his/her information needs, in the quickest possible time; the library should be a main centre for the promotion and appreciation of all arts so that cultural life can be enriched; the library should play a positive part in the encouragement of active usage of leisure and recreation time. This calls for a well informed and empowered library professional. Although the concept of library professional is used somewhat loosely here, library workers in general should not be excluded when library services are rendered.

Towards digital inclusion in South Africa: the role of public libraries and the way forward

Interdisciplinary Journal of Economics and Business Law, 2022

Digital inclusion continues to be a recurring theme and pose serious challenge in achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goal. Factors such as growing population, age, gender, education, economy etc., continue to play a major role in inhibiting people's digital access. As a result of the instant exchange of information, people now have access to knowledge, information, data, and other useful things to them than the world has ever recorded in history. People then see the need to be digital inclusive and to be part of the fascinating historical development of ICTs. To enhance people digital inclusiveness, the role of public libraries cannot be overemphasized. This study explores the role of public libraries in making ICTs more accessible to the populations of South Africa, and how these libraries increase ICTs relevance to people's lives, needs, aspirations, and ultimately, in bridging the digital divide. This study adopts the digital divide approach in discussing the state and role of public libraries in South Africa in bridging the digital gap among its citizens. The authors integrate data from studies on digital inclusion and from Public Library Access studies to gives clearer picture on the issue of digital inclusion and the role of public libraries in South Africa. This study found that digital inclusion goes beyond internet literacy and computer access, but it signifies technical proficiency and people's ability to access appropriate digital services and contents as and when needed. This study also found that the public libraries play an indispensable role in providing and sustaining digital inclusion for people across South Africa, however not without some challenges.

Vision and Practice: The South African Information Society Experience

International and national data made available during the past few years indicate access to and use of information and communication technology (ICT) and services is declining in South Africa. In the past, South Africa led African countries in terms of ICT infrastructure development and access. However, more recent ICT statistics indicate other African countries, such as Nigeria, Mauritius, and Tunisia are advancing faster than South Africa. The World Economic Forum Global Information and Communication Report (2012) states the sub-Saharan African region still has the least developed ICT infrastructure in the world, and has a severe lack of ICT skills. Having considered the Southern African ICT infrastructure deficiencies, this article captures and evaluates ICT policy and regulatory interventions instituted by South Africa toward the creation of an information society (IS). This article provides a brief historical background on ICT access and use in South Africa, identifies stakeholders engaged in transforming South Africa into an information society, and evaluates South Africa's progress toward becoming an information society by comparing levels of public access to, and usage of, ICT in South Africa with that of selected African countries and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries.

School Libraries in South Africa and the Post-2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Libri, 2015

Although 2015 marks the target year for attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the United Nations member states are in the process of defining a global development framework to succeed these goals, the MDGs nevertheless remain a development tool for countries’ wider development planning frameworks. In South Africa, various sectors, institutions and organisations are making efforts to attain these goals. Accordingly, the library and information sector is well placed to contribute towards the realisation of the MDGs, as libraries provide a critical support structure for education, economic development and poverty eradication. As time runs out in terms of meeting the 2015 deadline, this paper seeks to demonstrate that school libraries may be instrumental in influencing the pace and extent of progress needed to realise the MDGs beyond 2015. The research on which this article is based adds to the body of knowledge advocating the importance of libraries in realising the MDG...

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