Knowledge without

boundaries

Public Library Perception study in Africa: Usage findings

IFLA, Helsinki, 2012

Research context• EIFL Public Library

Innovation Programme to support innovative use of technologies in public libraries

• Gap of knowledge about perceptions of public libraries in African countries

EIFL – PLIP grantees

Study on the Perceptions of Public Libraries

• General state of public libraries

• Current awareness, perceptions and attitudes

• Role of librarians in local community development

Perceptions of public libraries in Africa

Scope and targets• 6 countries: Ghana, Kenya,

Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Uganda

• 5 target groups: 2000 library users1201 library non-users283 librarians278 local officials112 national officials

Source: Flickr, Labuto Library Project

Key findings

Libraries are important to individuals and communities

Opinion of users

Opinion of local government officials

Primary use of public libraries is educational

Purpose of libraries by (users) Total Kenya Uganda Tanzania Ghana

Base (=total sample) 1990 499 498 499 494

% % % % %

Educational purposes (for homework or to take a class) 91 94 90 86 95

National news or information 34 37 36 32 30

Local news or information 28 33 34 28 15

Entertainment 26 16 19 29 38

Information on health issue 20 18 22 17 22

International news or information 15 14 9 22 12

To conduct a job search or write a CV 12 14 14 14 5

Loan books 11 12 2 2 28

To look for information on starting or running a business 10 15 14 6 6

But the benefits derived go beyond education

Total Kenya Uganda Tanzania Ghana

Base (=total sample) 1990 499 498 499 494% % % % %

Developed new skills or learned something new 89 90 93 92 84

Obtained new ideas, new interests 78 81 78 80 73

Got helpful information for school/ learning 73 67 71 80 72

Experienced the library as safe and quiet place for study and reading 67 63 64 67 73

Save time 55 52 44 71 55

Enjoyed the visits- have you felt comfortable in the library 52 52 58 51 48

Got helpful information for health and well being 36 31 41 47 26

Made contacts with other people 36 27 35 47 36

Got helpful information for business and commerce 31 38 32 43 10

Got helpful information about your community 31 26 30 59 9

Be better in your job 21 24 31 23 5

National officials strongly agree with the library helping to bridge the digital divide

Local government officials’ perceptions regarding the potential of libraries

Overall findings• Awareness of libraries is high• General perception about libraries is positive• There is a need for technology• Librarians are competent but have limitations in ICT• Both local and national government readily accept

the notion that libraries could contribute in the areas of economic development, employment, health, agriculture and the digital divide

Dissemination/Use of findings

DisseminationPublicity, communication•Articles and presentations (IFLA, Ariadne, African Library Summit, IGF)

Internet Governance Forum in Nairobi, Kenya

Workshop title: Do policymakers understand the role of libraries in mobilizing the internet as a catalyst for development, innovation and freedom?

•EIFL web site: http://www.eifl.net

DisseminationPublicity, Advocacy•Presentations of findings to media and stakeholders in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda;

•Africa awareness raising groups – Advocacy plans;

•small grants to support innovation and AARG work

DisseminationPublicity, Advocacy•Presentations of findings to media and stakeholders in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda;

•Africa awareness raising groups – Advocacy plans;

•small grants to support innovation and AARG work

DisseminationPublicity, Advocacy•Presentations of findings to media and stakeholders in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda;

•Africa awareness raising groups – Advocacy plans;

•small grants to support innovation and AARG work

Africa Awareness Raising groups

Uganda ARG

DisseminationPublicity, Advocacy• Presentations of findings to media and stakeholders in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda;

• Africa awareness raising groups – Advocacy plans;

• small grants to support innovation and AARG work Innovative

services in libraries

Thank you!

www.eifl.net