EIFL’s PLIP commissioned perception study

EIFL’s Public Library Innovation Programme (PLIP) commissioned a research study conducted by TNS RMS East Africa that explored perceptions of public libraries in Africa among different stakeholders, including people who use libraries and people who do not; government decision-makers, librarians and library officials. The research was conducted from December 2010 to July 2011 in six African countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Objective: status and role of public libraries in Africa

The objective was to better understand the status and role of public libraries in Africa and the vision, aspirations and expectations of library stakeholders. The research will be used to inform outreach and advocacy efforts to build and strengthen policies and long-term support for public libraries. 

Summary of findings

In all six countries, an overwhelming majority of stakeholders – library users and non-users, librarians, library officials, and government decision makers – perceive public libraries to be for books and study rather than spaces for technical innovation and provision of community development services. Only 5% of users and non-users associate libraries with information and communication technology (ICT). Funding for libraries is low: national and local government officials say that because poverty is the main issue facing communities, libraries are lower on the list of services supported. Yet, all stakeholder groups believe that library services can improve lives and livelihoods and contribute to community development goals. There is strong agreement among all stakeholder groups that libraries need and deserve more funding.

 

There is some quite positive information about agriculture - with a variety of stakeholders supporting public libraries as providers of agricultural information and services.

For a summary of the key findings and the full report please go to: www.eifl.net/perception-study