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