Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van die studie was om 'n model te ontwikkel vir openbare bibiioteekdiensiewering in 'n ontwikkelende land met 'n multikulturele samelewing. Die kernprobleem was om die teoretiese fundering van dienslewering en die toepassing daarvan in die praktyk te ondersoek. Die eerste subprobleem was om die eienskappe van 'n professie en professionele dienslewering te ondersoek. Die eienskappe van die professionalis/bibiiotekaris wat leiding aan die gebruiker moet gee, is geidentifiseer. Sleutelelemente is: outonomie (gekoppel aan deskundigheid en opieiding), 'n altruistiese diensorientasie en funksionele diens (volgens professionele riglyne en standaarde) aan alle groepe in die gemeenskap, ongeag sosiale kias. Die tweede subprobleem was om die doelstellings en funksies van die openbare biblioteek en die roi van gebruikersleiding daarin te ontleed. Daar is gevind dat diensleweringsfunksies in die teorie swak gefundeer is. 'n Kategorisering is voorgestel wat onderskei tussen ondersteuningsfunksies, diensleweringsfunksies en bestuursfunksies. Gebruikersleiding is geidentifiseer as oorkoepelende begrip en kernelement van alle diensleweringsfunksies wat gerig is op die optimalisering van die waarde van inligting tot beswil van die samelewing. Die derde subprobleem was om die ontstaan van 'n diensbegrip in die openbare biblioteek te beskryf en paradigmaverskuiwings uit te wys. Professionele riglyne, beginsels en standaarde, is ontleed. Afleidings is gemaak oor 'n heersende diensbegrip en rol van die openbare biblioteek. Daar is bevind dat die riglyne vir die identifisering van gebruikersgroepe en hulle behoeftes asook diensleweringsfunksies ontoereikend is. 'n Kategorisering van potensiele gebruikersgroepe en hul behoeftes is gedoen en 'n model vir openbare biblioteekdiensiewering ontwikkel om die leemte in teoretisering te vul. Die model onderskei 'n diensparadigma van dienslewering aan alie individue en groepe in die gemeenskap en missie van ontwikkeling; die primere doeiltelling opvoeding; beginsels van gemeenskapskontak; behoeftebepaling en toegang lot inligting; diensfunksies en uitreikaktiwiteite; die professionalis-klientverhouding; wetgewing, organisatoriese strukture en omgewingsfaktore. Die model is in 'n vraelysopname in die Suid-Afrikaanse openbare biblioteekpraktyk getoets. Daar is bevind dat die doelsteliings nagestreef en diensfunksies toegepas word. Die grootste probleme word in organisatoriese strukture en finansiering ondervind. Hierdie sake moet dringend aandag kry om die gestelde missie, naamlik om 'n wesenlike rol te speel in die ontwikkeling van die hele Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing, te verwesenlik. / The purpose of the study was to develop a model for public library service rendering in a developing and multicultural society. The core problem was to investigate the theoretical foundation of service rendering and the application thereof in practice. The first subproblem was to examine the characteristics of a profession and professional service rendering. The characteristics of the professional/ librarian who has to provide guidance to the user were identified. Key elements are: autonomy (linked to expertise and training), an altruistic service orientation and functional service (according to professional guidelines and standards) to all groups in the community irrespective of social class. The second subproblem was to analyse the aims and functions of the public library and the role of user guidance in it It was found that service rendering functions are not theoretically well grounded. A categorisation is proposed which distinguishes between supporting, service rendering and management functions. User guidance is identified as an umbrella concept and core element of all service rendering functions which is directed at optima/isirtg the value of information to the benefit of society. The third subproblem was to describe the origins of a service concept in the public library and to expose paradigm shifts. Professional guidelines, principles and standards were analysed. Conclusions were drawn about a predominant service concept and the role of the public library. It was found that guidelines for the identification of user groups and their needs as well as service rendering functions are inadequate. A categorisation of potential user groups and their needs was compiled and a model for public library service rendering was developed to bridge the gap in XXtheorisation. The model distinguishes a paradigm of service to all Individuals and groups in the community and a developmental mission; the primary aim of education; service principles of community networking, needs assessment and information access; service functions and outreach activities; the professionalclient- relationship; legislation, organisational structures and environmental factors. The model was tested in South African public library practice by means of a questionnaire survey. It was found that aims are pursued and service functions are applied. The greatest problems are experienced In organisational structures and financing. These issues must be urgently addressed to realise the public library's declared mission, namely to play a substantial role in the development of the South African society as a whole. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

This study investigates the history of the phenomenon illiteracy and the response of the public library in selected countries for about one hundred and fifty years with particular focus on the Republic of south Africa. The influence that this manifestation has on the individual Black urban adult, the society in which the illiterate adult lives and the economy of the country are sharply focused. The principal argument is that public libraries have historically adapted their services to meet new social challenges, and in South Africa illiteracy among Black urban adults constitutes such a challenge. As an extension of its traditional educational function, the public library is beginning to meet this challenge in the role of literacy support. The reasons for the high illiteracy rate among the Black adult urban population are discussed in their historical context. As far as the methodology is concerned, extensive literature studies were undertaken on international as well as local data bases. Correspondence was entered into with overseas research institutes, academics and consultants. Interviews were conducted to ascertain the most recent developments relating to the literacy problem in a well-defined geographical region. Conclusions are made to the effect that there is a historical imperative for the South African public library system to fully discharge its responsibility to Black South Africans. In order to achieve this the public library in South Africa should re-examine, re-interpret and extend its educational function to include the challenge of the role of literacy support. It is further reconunended that the Provincial Library services in south Africa should coordinate disparate efforts and activities in this regard. The marketing of the public library has become more important in the prevailing economic climate. If the public library wishes to remain an indispensable social institution in the lives of the citizens of South Africa and specifically if it takes the role of literacy support seriously, it will of necessity have to market its services. Other organizational implications for public libraries of this new challenge of literacy support are spelled out clearly and areas requiring further research are indicated. / Information Studies / D. Litt. et Phil.

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van die studie was om 'n model te ontwikkel vir openbare bibiioteekdiensiewering in 'n ontwikkelende land met 'n multikulturele samelewing. Die kernprobleem was om die teoretiese fundering van dienslewering en die toepassing daarvan in die praktyk te ondersoek. Die eerste subprobleem was om die eienskappe van 'n professie en professionele dienslewering te ondersoek. Die eienskappe van die professionalis/bibiiotekaris wat leiding aan die gebruiker moet gee, is geidentifiseer. Sleutelelemente is: outonomie (gekoppel aan deskundigheid en opieiding), 'n altruistiese diensorientasie en funksionele diens (volgens professionele riglyne en standaarde) aan alle groepe in die gemeenskap, ongeag sosiale kias. Die tweede subprobleem was om die doelstellings en funksies van die openbare biblioteek en die roi van gebruikersleiding daarin te ontleed. Daar is gevind dat diensleweringsfunksies in die teorie swak gefundeer is. 'n Kategorisering is voorgestel wat onderskei tussen ondersteuningsfunksies, diensleweringsfunksies en bestuursfunksies. Gebruikersleiding is geidentifiseer as oorkoepelende begrip en kernelement van alle diensleweringsfunksies wat gerig is op die optimalisering van die waarde van inligting tot beswil van die samelewing. Die derde subprobleem was om die ontstaan van 'n diensbegrip in die openbare biblioteek te beskryf en paradigmaverskuiwings uit te wys. Professionele riglyne, beginsels en standaarde, is ontleed. Afleidings is gemaak oor 'n heersende diensbegrip en rol van die openbare biblioteek. Daar is bevind dat die riglyne vir die identifisering van gebruikersgroepe en hulle behoeftes asook diensleweringsfunksies ontoereikend is. 'n Kategorisering van potensiele gebruikersgroepe en hul behoeftes is gedoen en 'n model vir openbare biblioteekdiensiewering ontwikkel om die leemte in teoretisering te vul. Die model onderskei 'n diensparadigma van dienslewering aan alie individue en groepe in die gemeenskap en missie van ontwikkeling; die primere doeiltelling opvoeding; beginsels van gemeenskapskontak; behoeftebepaling en toegang lot inligting; diensfunksies en uitreikaktiwiteite; die professionalis-klientverhouding; wetgewing, organisatoriese strukture en omgewingsfaktore. Die model is in 'n vraelysopname in die Suid-Afrikaanse openbare biblioteekpraktyk getoets. Daar is bevind dat die doelsteliings nagestreef en diensfunksies toegepas word. Die grootste probleme word in organisatoriese strukture en finansiering ondervind. Hierdie sake moet dringend aandag kry om die gestelde missie, naamlik om 'n wesenlike rol te speel in die ontwikkeling van die hele Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing, te verwesenlik. / The purpose of the study was to develop a model for public library service rendering in a developing and multicultural society. The core problem was to investigate the theoretical foundation of service rendering and the application thereof in practice. The first subproblem was to examine the characteristics of a profession and professional service rendering. The characteristics of the professional/ librarian who has to provide guidance to the user were identified. Key elements are: autonomy (linked to expertise and training), an altruistic service orientation and functional service (according to professional guidelines and standards) to all groups in the community irrespective of social class. The second subproblem was to analyse the aims and functions of the public library and the role of user guidance in it It was found that service rendering functions are not theoretically well grounded. A categorisation is proposed which distinguishes between supporting, service rendering and management functions. User guidance is identified as an umbrella concept and core element of all service rendering functions which is directed at optima/isirtg the value of information to the benefit of society. The third subproblem was to describe the origins of a service concept in the public library and to expose paradigm shifts. Professional guidelines, principles and standards were analysed. Conclusions were drawn about a predominant service concept and the role of the public library. It was found that guidelines for the identification of user groups and their needs as well as service rendering functions are inadequate. A categorisation of potential user groups and their needs was compiled and a model for public library service rendering was developed to bridge the gap in XXtheorisation. The model distinguishes a paradigm of service to all Individuals and groups in the community and a developmental mission; the primary aim of education; service principles of community networking, needs assessment and information access; service functions and outreach activities; the professionalclient- relationship; legislation, organisational structures and environmental factors. The model was tested in South African public library practice by means of a questionnaire survey. It was found that aims are pursued and service functions are applied. The greatest problems are experienced In organisational structures and financing. These issues must be urgently addressed to realise the public library's declared mission, namely to play a substantial role in the development of the South African society as a whole. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

This study investigates the history of the phenomenon illiteracy and the response of the public library in selected countries for about one hundred and fifty years with particular focus on the Republic of south Africa. The influence that this manifestation has on the individual Black urban adult, the society in which the illiterate adult lives and the economy of the country are sharply focused. The principal argument is that public libraries have historically adapted their services to meet new social challenges, and in South Africa illiteracy among Black urban adults constitutes such a challenge. As an extension of its traditional educational function, the public library is beginning to meet this challenge in the role of literacy support. The reasons for the high illiteracy rate among the Black adult urban population are discussed in their historical context. As far as the methodology is concerned, extensive literature studies were undertaken on international as well as local data bases. Correspondence was entered into with overseas research institutes, academics and consultants. Interviews were conducted to ascertain the most recent developments relating to the literacy problem in a well-defined geographical region. Conclusions are made to the effect that there is a historical imperative for the South African public library system to fully discharge its responsibility to Black South Africans. In order to achieve this the public library in South Africa should re-examine, re-interpret and extend its educational function to include the challenge of the role of literacy support. It is further reconunended that the Provincial Library services in south Africa should coordinate disparate efforts and activities in this regard. The marketing of the public library has become more important in the prevailing economic climate. If the public library wishes to remain an indispensable social institution in the lives of the citizens of South Africa and specifically if it takes the role of literacy support seriously, it will of necessity have to market its services. Other organizational implications for public libraries of this new challenge of literacy support are spelled out clearly and areas requiring further research are indicated. / Information Studies / D. Litt. et Phil.