Libraries and user culture: literacy and development implications
| Pages | 506-517 |
| Date | 12 November 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-01-2018-0004 |
| Published date | 12 November 2018 |
| Author | Peter Mose |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion |
Libraries and user culture: literacy
and development implications
Peter Mose
Department of Languages and Literatures, Rhodes University,
Grahamstown, South Africa
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to establish stocking and services offered and user culture at the
Kenya National Library Services Kisii Branch. The study sought to respond to the following questions: Which
books form the stock of Kenya National Library Services Kisii Branch? Which services does the Kenya
National Library Services Kisii Branch offer to the public on a regular basis? What is the user motivationfor
and frequency of use of the National Library Services at Kisii Branch?
Design/methodology/approach –Three instruments were used in data collection; document analysis,
observation and interview. Document analysis obtained data on membership and frequency; observation
obtained data on stocking, services, and user culture; and interview sought clarification on data obtained from
documents and observation.
Findings –The findings indicate that publications in business and accounting and school type books form
the bulk of the stock of books; the library offers only basic information access services; users are motivated by
school assignments, examinations and academic project deadlines to visit the library hence user frequency in
the library is predictable throughout the year.
Practical implications –Current practices at the library by both library staff and user culture have
negative implications on public literacy and socio-economic development.
Originality/value –This paper presents information obtained from a systematic data collection and
analysis. The findings are original and should be addressed by the relevant stakeholders.
Keywords Literacy, Kenya, Public libraries, Development, Implications, User culture
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Books have been known as a source of knowledge in many societies for many years and
they still are. They bear knowledge and ideas on diverse issues that have a bearing on
human lives. Books on philosophy, cosmology, science fact, etc. from different contexts have
played a role in shaping society and some have been behind tremendous social change
across the globe. For instance, the ideas of education thinkers like Pestalozzi, Dewey,
Montenssori, etc. written in books have influenced education systems in many countries.
For the past 40 years, information communication technology (ICT) has made access to
information easier and fast. It was at one point thought that ICT would soon replace books
but time has shown that hard books may still be in use in many societies. As much as
technology has made available knowledge in e-books, such books as holy books, story
books, textbooks, fact books, etc. will be in hard form due, but not limited, to the following
reasons; some religions treat holy books as very special and may not look at e-holy books as
acceptable alternatives; in many societies, there is no guaranteed access to technology, its
accessories and power to run it; and some publishers/authors may not be ready to have their
books on e-platforms with its attendant possibilities of illegal access without payment/
permission, yet publishers/authors are out on business. This study is based on the
assumption of the perpetuity of the hard books as a source of knowledge to masses
especially in rural settlements in developing countries.
Public libraries, literacy, information and development
Cognizant of the role of information and knowledge to society, many countries today have
millions of publications in public libraries. From the Kenyan experience, public libraries are
Library Management
Vol. 39 No. 8/9, 2018
pp. 506-517
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-01-2018-0004
Received 21 January 2018
Revised 21 March 2018
Accepted 13 April 2018
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
506
LM
39,8/9
To continue reading
Request your trial