The study investigates the establishment and development of the Kimberley Africana Library and its mother institution, the Kimberley Public Library within the broader social, economical and political environment in which they took place. The history of these institutions is inextricable until 1984 when the public and Africana sections of the Library were separated and the Kimberley Africana Library was opened to the public in 1986. It was the exceptional collections of Africana and rare books which distinguished the Kimberley Public Library and the main factor which bound the history of these two institutions. The Kimberley Public Library and its progeny the Kimberley Africana Library are the products of a new industrialised era which came about after the discovery of diamonds in South Africa. They emanated from an environment which produced the new wealth of the country, an almost uncharted region which was relatively new to the established British colonies. In order to place the origins of and motivation for the establishment of the Kimberley Public Library and the Kimberley Africana Library in perspective, it is necessary in this study also to include an overview of the development of the diamond mining industry in Kimberley. This development, peculiar as it was to Kimberley, gave rise to the type of social and cultural milieu in which the Public Library was founded by the immigrants to this area. Also included in the study is a brief survey of the development of the library movement in South Africa and the role played by the Kimberley Public Library in the growth of this movement and in the expansion of public library services to the people of the country. The history of the Kimberley Public/Africana Library which covers a period of more than a century is divided into three distinct periods, namely that which deals with the institution as a Subscription Library from 1882 until 1960 and, from 1961 as a free library under the jurisdiction of the Kimberley Municipality and affiliated to the Cape Provincial Library Service. The third period concerns the dichotomisation of the Kimberley Public Library and the establishment of the Kimberley Africana Library in 1986 to house the Library’s renowned collection of Africana and rare books. This section also deals with the period after 1994 when the Kimberley Libraries functioned under the new political dispensation in South Africa. Emphasis is laid on the formation, nature and scope of the Africana Collection which was the raison d’etre for the establishment of the Kimberley Africana Library and the most significant of the items in the collection are broadly described. The study concludes with an assessment of the challenges the Kimberley Africana Library faces and suggests ways and means of resolving these. An Appendix entitled The Founders and the Builders is added in order to elaborate on the exceptional contributions of several prominent Committee members and Librarians who controlled and managed these institutions from their inception in 1882 until 2008. / Information Science / M. Inf. (Information Science)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Dit is vir enige openbare biblioteek wat sy doelstellings suksesvol wil bereik absoluut noodsaaklik om die mens as die belangrikste hulpbron in die ondememing doeltreffend te bestuur en optimaal te benut. Openbare biblioteke in Suid-Afrika ondervind egter sedert die veranderende politieke bestel in 1994, groat druk om 'n leidende rol in die gemeenskap te speel ten opsigte van opleiding en ontwikkeling aan die jeug, volwasse onderwys te ondersteun en aktief by gemeenskapsontwikkelingsprojekte betrokke te raak. Die openbare biblioteek het verder die verantwoordelikheid om inligting aan die gemeenskap te verskaf met die oog op besluitneming en suksesvolle gemeenskapsontwikkeling. Hierdie klemverskuiwing in die openbare biblioteek se doelstellings moet verder bestuur, en ten uitvoer gebring word te midde van 'n moeilike finansiele klimaat, 'n uitgebreide gebruikerskorps met veranderende gebruikersbehoeftes en tegnologiese uitdagings. Ten einde hierdie uitdagings aan die openbare biblioteek te bestuur, is dit noodsaaklik dat die menslike hulpbron so goed moontlik benut sal word volgens sy kundigheid en vermoens. Die werknemer bevind homself in drie omgewings in sy werkplek naamlik die taakinhoudomgewing, die taakverbandomgewi ng en die eksteme omgewing. I hierdie omgewings waarbinne die werknemer sy taak moet verrig is daar ' verskeidenheid faktore aanwesig wat sy prestasie en dus sy benutting kan bei'nvloed. Die teorie onderliggend aan menslikehulpbronbenutti ng is bestudeer en 'n ge·inte-greerde model vir menslikehulpbronbenutting is ontwikkel, waarop 'n empiriese studie gevolg het om die faktore te identifiseer wat menslikehulpbronbenutting in openbare biblioteke in Suid-Afrika kan be'invloed. Uit die empiriese ondersoek is vier faktore ge'identifiseer wat menslikehulpbron­ benutting in die openbare biblioteek kan be'invloed naamlik: • die algemene houding van die werknemer teenoor sy taak en die openbare biblioteekberoep • opleiding en ontwikkeling van werknemers • inligtingtegnologie • loopbaanbestuur Slegs die eerste faktor in die ondersoek het positief na vore getree, terwyl die ander drie negatief gepresteer het. Ten einde openbare biblioteekbestuur in staat te stel om hierdie leemtes, wat deur middel van hierdie faktore ge'identifiseer word reg te stel word 'n geintegreerde menslikehulpbronbenuttingsmodel voorgestel. Hierdie model bestaan uit verskillende komponente wat volgens behoefte van die biblioteek ge'implementeer kan word. / It is absolutely essential, for any public library that wishes to attain its objectives successfully, to manage human beings as its most important resource efficiently and to utilise them optimally.Since the change in the political dispensation in 1994, however, public libraries in South Africa experience mounting pressure to play a leading role in respect of education and the development of youth, to support adult education and engage positively in community development projects. A further responsibility of the public library is to supply information to the community to assist decision making and successful community development. To complicate matters, this shift in emphasis in the public library's objectives has to be managed and brought to fruition under the following conditions: a difficult financial climate, an extended corps of users with changing requirements, and technological challenges. To manage these challenges to the public library, it is essential that human resources be utilised as well as possible in accordance with their expertise and abilities. Employees find themselves in three environments, namely the job content environment, the job context environment and the external environment. A variety of factors which can influence the performance, and therefore the utilisation of employees are present in these environments in which they have to fulfiltheir task.The theory underlying the utilisation of human resources has been studied and an integrated model for human resource utilisation has been developed. This was followed by an empirical study to identify the factors which influence the utilisation of human resources in public libraries in South Africa. From the empirical investigation four factors were identified which can influence the utilisation of human resources in public libraries, namely: • the general attitude of the employee to the task and the profession of public librarianship • training and development of employees • information technology • career management Only the first factor emerged positively from the study, while the other three performed negatively. To enable public library management to remedy the deficiencies identified with the help of these factors, an integrated human resources utilisation model is proposed. This model consists of various components which can be implemented according to the needs of the specific library. / Informations Sciences / D.Litt. et Phil. (Inligtingkunde)

Information literacy is a skill and forms the basis for life-long learning. The aim of this study is to investigate the information literacy skills of first year students at the Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University (NWU), with specific reference to the role of the academic library. The NWU‟s Vaal Triangle Campus Library supports first-year students in their studies by helping them to improve their information skills and teach them to find, evaluate and organise information in different formats. The purpose of this is to help first-year students to find relevant information that meet their information requirements. Students who are information literate not only have the necessary skills; but also have insight, comprehension, and knowledge at their disposal, while being life-long learners. A compulsory literacy module forms part of the curriculum for first-year students at the NWU‟s Vaal Triangle Campus, and is presented by academic staff. The credit-earning module (known as AGLE 121) consists of three components, namely computer and information literacy, reading literacy, and academic literacy. This study focuses on the module for basic information literacy, which is mainly of a theoretical nature. First year students were tested by questionnaires and interviews before and after completion of the information literacy module, to determine what contribution the module makes to their information literacy. This studyconcluded that after completing the information literacy module, first-year students have the theoretical knowledge at their disposal, but still do not know where to find databases or information. The role of the campus library regarding information literacy is to expand and improve students‟ information skills as well as being involved in the planning and development of the information literacy module. A recommendation is made that the information literacy module should already be offered during the first semester (instead of the second semester), so that students can use their information skills effectively for their studies. / Information Science / M. (Information Science)

It became known that South African learners’ learning outcomes rank poorly on the international stage, even if compared to less developed parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. The root cause of this problem is assumed to lie with the concern of illiteracy, which was argued, could be combated inter alia by ensuring that every public school has a stocked and functional library serviced by a fulltime proficient librarian. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of principals in establishing and managing functional school libraries in the King Cetshwayo District, KwaZulu-Natal. A qualitative investigation was done amongst school principals and their teacher librarians at five Dlangubo Circuit Schools. Data were collected by means of in-depth interviews and document analysis. The study revealed that the principals lack the training and resources to fulfil their role in establishing and maintaining functional school libraries. Recommendations were made on how principals might solve these problems in the future. / Dit het aan die lig gekom dat Suid-Afrikaanse leerders se leeruitkomste swak in die internasionale arena vertoon, selfs indien dit met minder-ontwikkelde dele van Sub-Sahara-Afrika vergelyk word. Daar word aanvaar dat die oorsaak van hier probleem vermoedelik die probleem van ongeletterdheid is, wat onder andere oorkom kan word deur te verseker dat elke openbare skool oor ’n toegeruste en funksionele biblioteek beskik wat deur ’n voltydse, bekwame bibliotekaris bestuur word. Hierdie studie ondersoek die rol van skoolhoofde in die vestiging en bestuur van funksionele skoolbiblioteke in die King Cetshwayo-distrik in KwaZulu-Natal. Daar is by vyf skole in die Dlangubu-streek ’n kwalitatiewe ondersoek met behulp van skoolhoofde en hulle onderwyser-bibliotekarisse gedoen. Data is met behulp van diepgaande onderhoude en dokumentanalise versamel. Die studie het aan die lig gebring dat die skoolhoofde ’n gebrek aan opleiding en hulpbronne het ten einde hulle rol in die vestiging en handhawing van funksionele skoolbiblioteke te vervul. Aanbevelings is gemaak oor hoe skoolhoofde in die toekoms moontlik hierdie probleme kan oplos. / Kuvele ukuthi imiphumela yokufunda abafundi baseNingizimu Afrika isezingeni eliphansi mayikeliswe neyamazwengamazwe ngisho noma isiqhathaniswa neyezingxenye ezingaka thuthuki kahle zase- Sub-Saharan Africa. Umsuka walenkinga kusolwa ukuthi udalwa ukungakhuthazwa ukufunda izincwadi nokubhala ,okuyinto okuthiwa ingaqedwa phakathi kokunye ngokuqinisekisa ukuthi zonke izikole zomphakathi zinomtapo wolwazi onezinsizakufunda nezinsizakusebenza ezanele ezisezingeni labantwana nothisha futhi owenganyelwe uthisha oqeqeshiwe ngokusebenza komtapo futhi osebenza ngokugcwele ukuqondana nomtapo wesikole. Inhloso yocwaningo ukuphenya indima yothishanhloko ekusunguleni nasekuphatheni imitapo esebenza ngendlela efanele ezikoleni zase e-King Cetshwayo District, KwaZulu-Natal. Uphenyo olunzulu lwenziwe kothishomkhulu kanye nakothisha ababakhethe ukuthi babuye babhekane nokusebenza nokuphathwa kwe -mitapo yolwazi ezikoleni zabo ezinhlanu ezise Dlangubo Circuit. Ulwazi lwaqoqwa ngama in-depth interviews kanye nokuhlaziywa kwezincwadi abasebenza ngazo ukuze umtapo wolwazi wesikole usebenze ngendlela efanele.Lolu cwaningo luveze ukuthi othishanhloko bashoda ngoqeqesho kwezokuphathwa komtapo wolwazi ezikoleni kanye nezinsizakufunda kubalwa nezinsiza kusebenza eziqondene nokusebenza kahle komtapo wolwazi ezikoleni ukuze bakwazi ukufeza indima yabo ekusunguleni nasekuphatheni gendlala imitapo yolwazi esebenza kahle ezikoleni zabo. Izincomo zenziwe ezikhombisa ukuthi othishanhloko bangazixazulula kanjani lezi zinkinga esikhathini esizayo. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The study investigates the establishment and development of the Kimberley Africana Library and its mother institution, the Kimberley Public Library within the broader social, economical and political environment in which they took place. The history of these institutions is inextricable until 1984 when the public and Africana sections of the Library were separated and the Kimberley Africana Library was opened to the public in 1986. It was the exceptional collections of Africana and rare books which distinguished the Kimberley Public Library and the main factor which bound the history of these two institutions. The Kimberley Public Library and its progeny the Kimberley Africana Library are the products of a new industrialised era which came about after the discovery of diamonds in South Africa. They emanated from an environment which produced the new wealth of the country, an almost uncharted region which was relatively new to the established British colonies. In order to place the origins of and motivation for the establishment of the Kimberley Public Library and the Kimberley Africana Library in perspective, it is necessary in this study also to include an overview of the development of the diamond mining industry in Kimberley. This development, peculiar as it was to Kimberley, gave rise to the type of social and cultural milieu in which the Public Library was founded by the immigrants to this area. Also included in the study is a brief survey of the development of the library movement in South Africa and the role played by the Kimberley Public Library in the growth of this movement and in the expansion of public library services to the people of the country. The history of the Kimberley Public/Africana Library which covers a period of more than a century is divided into three distinct periods, namely that which deals with the institution as a Subscription Library from 1882 until 1960 and, from 1961 as a free library under the jurisdiction of the Kimberley Municipality and affiliated to the Cape Provincial Library Service. The third period concerns the dichotomisation of the Kimberley Public Library and the establishment of the Kimberley Africana Library in 1986 to house the Library’s renowned collection of Africana and rare books. This section also deals with the period after 1994 when the Kimberley Libraries functioned under the new political dispensation in South Africa. Emphasis is laid on the formation, nature and scope of the Africana Collection which was the raison d’etre for the establishment of the Kimberley Africana Library and the most significant of the items in the collection are broadly described. The study concludes with an assessment of the challenges the Kimberley Africana Library faces and suggests ways and means of resolving these. An Appendix entitled The Founders and the Builders is added in order to elaborate on the exceptional contributions of several prominent Committee members and Librarians who controlled and managed these institutions from their inception in 1882 until 2008. / Information Science / M. Inf. (Information Science)

Recent innovations and advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) have resulted into radical changes in the way information resources are provided, and have also brought about several options to handle a wide-range of information services effortlessly. Web 2.0 or social media is one of these innovations which expands the option in information services provision. Against this backdrop, this study intended to investigate the use of Web 2.0 technologies in the public libraries in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa. The study was guided by mixed-methods of quantitative and qualitative approaches, because the approach enables the researcher to cover a wide variety of issues. The study adopted a sample survey research design to guide selection of subjects. Two data collection tools namely: a self-administered questionnaire were used for collecting data from 248 library users, while unstructured interview schedules were used to collect qualitative data from 16 library officials. The response rate for the survey of library users was 69%, a good rate for an unsolicited survey. The findings revealed that Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality libraries have ICT equipment with access to Web 2.0 technologies and that these technologies are also highly utilised. However, lack of training, low bandwidth, and short time allowed to access WIFI makes it difficult for the library users and staff to fully benefit from the web-based services offered by these libraries. Other factors include poor staff attitudes, technical problems, and challenges in marketing of online public access and catalogue, restrictions of social networking sites, non-linkage of the library OPAC to social media, geographical distances, and load shedding. The study concluded by recommending allocation of sufficient funds to cater for ICT trainings, free WIFI, uninterrupted power supply, increased bandwidth, amongst others which will enhance the quick and effective service that will meet the information needs of their users. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)

Documented value of indigenous knowledge (IK) in the lives of communities raises the need to facilitate its accessibility. Public libraries in South Africa can play an important role in facilitating access to this knowledge by integrating it into their services. Apart from positively contributing to the quality of lives of indigenous communities, integration of IK would result in the provision of inclusive and transformed library services. The purpose of this study was to explore how public libraries in South Africa may integrate IK into their services. Located within the critical theory paradigm, a qualitative multiple-case study was conducted among four purposefully selected provincial library services in South Africa. Directors of the selected provincial library services were interviewed. Collection development policies of the selected libraries were also analysed to determine the extent of their alignment with the provision of IK. Atlas.ti. was used to analyse data thematically. Findings revealed that libraries have not integrated IK into their services. Furthermore, collection development policies were not aligned to the provision of IK. Factors contributing to non-integration of IK in public libraries included the perception that librarians did not seem to regard IK as within their purview but rather an aspect for archival institutions. Non- alignment of policies to IK integration, content that is not accessible to indigenous communities and dwindling funding for library services provision also emerged as contributory factors. It was concluded that the hegemony of western knowledge continued to marginalise IK, possibly contributing to its non-integration. A framework based on principles of community involvement, inclusivity, access and transformation was recommended for integrating IK into services of public libraries. It was recommended that public librarians, as stakeholders in the transformation of library services need to engage in the IK discourse in order to enhance their ability to provide inclusive services. The importance of involving communities in defining IK according to their contexts to enable meaningful integration into library services was highlighted. A need to expand the study to other provinces in South Africa to determine librarians’ understanding and views regarding integration of IK was identified. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

This study investigated the factors, best practice, advantages and disadvantages that influence the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) self-help circulation services for service delivery by South African academic libraries with specific emphasis on the University of South Africa (Unisa) Library. Unisa Library Services is the only library service in South Africa that has implemented a fully-fledged RFID self-help circulation service. There must therefore be reasons why other libraries in South Africa have not implemented this type of service. Accordingly, a need was identified to investigate the aspects that should be considered before a library decides to implement such a circulation service. There was also a need to identify the factors, best practice, advantages and disadvantages that influence the use of RFID self-help circulation services. The study gives a brief overview of RFID technology and its use in libraries internationally with specific emphasis on its use for self-help circulation purposes. Through a literature study, certain factors, best practice, advantages and disadvantages that influence the use of RFID self-help circulation services were identified. The identified factors, best practice, advantages and disadvantages were subsequently used to compile questionnaires to obtain information from Unisa library users (students and staff). Only Unisa staff and students who were situated close to Unisa campuses with RFID self-help circulation services were included in the study. During the analysis of the data collected additional factors, best practice, advantages and disadvantages were identified. Recommendations were compiled regarding the factors, best practice, advantages and disadvantages that influence the use of RFID self-help circulation services. These recommendations are meant as a guide for South African libraries when making decisions on the possible implementation and use of RFID self-help circulation services. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)

The study set out to investigate the provision of sustainable internet access to public libraries in South Africa. The rationale of the study was to investigate how sustainable internet access can be provided to public libraries in South Africa and to determine how they have developed and are regulated. Internet access is a key driver in delivering information services to the users and a critical tool in facilitating information sharing regardless of platform and geographic location. Therefore, the level of information and communications technology (ICT) penetration in public libraries formed a critical part of the study as the provision of internet to these libraries depends on available ICTs. The study employed a survey design and used interview tool to collect data from nine participants. Questionnaire augmented interviews as they were used to collect data from 322 respondents. The study used the probability sampling technique to collect data from the participants. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants for the interview, whereas the stratified probability, proportional to size, and systematic techniques were also used to select respondents in the senior categories, namely heads of public libraries. This ensured a sample size of 331 out of a population of 1 621 selected for the study. The sample size consisted of nine directors and 322 head librarians. No sampling was done on the nine heads (directors) of provincial public libraries, as the nature of this population did not warrant further dissection due to its small size. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to analyse data. Questionnaires were analysed when they were returned and interviews were analysed when they were conducted. Written descriptions, tables and figures were used to present data in an elaborative manner. Data was also presented through frequencies and percentages. It emerged from the study that most public libraries (97%) were connected to the internet. The findings of the study showed that most public libraries (80%) were connected to the internet through the fixed lines and that each of the nine provinces had its own internet service providers (table 5.12). The study recommended fixed lines for internet access to be laid to all public libraries in South Africa and that a government agency be used as a dedicated internet service provider for public libraries across all the nine provinces. A further study was recommended about the application of an internet access model used by academic institutions to public libraries. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Dit is vir enige openbare biblioteek wat sy doelstellings suksesvol wil bereik absoluut noodsaaklik om die mens as die belangrikste hulpbron in die ondememing doeltreffend te bestuur en optimaal te benut. Openbare biblioteke in Suid-Afrika ondervind egter sedert die veranderende politieke bestel in 1994, groat druk om 'n leidende rol in die gemeenskap te speel ten opsigte van opleiding en ontwikkeling aan die jeug, volwasse onderwys te ondersteun en aktief by gemeenskapsontwikkelingsprojekte betrokke te raak. Die openbare biblioteek het verder die verantwoordelikheid om inligting aan die gemeenskap te verskaf met die oog op besluitneming en suksesvolle gemeenskapsontwikkeling. Hierdie klemverskuiwing in die openbare biblioteek se doelstellings moet verder bestuur, en ten uitvoer gebring word te midde van 'n moeilike finansiele klimaat, 'n uitgebreide gebruikerskorps met veranderende gebruikersbehoeftes en tegnologiese uitdagings. Ten einde hierdie uitdagings aan die openbare biblioteek te bestuur, is dit noodsaaklik dat die menslike hulpbron so goed moontlik benut sal word volgens sy kundigheid en vermoens. Die werknemer bevind homself in drie omgewings in sy werkplek naamlik die taakinhoudomgewing, die taakverbandomgewi ng en die eksteme omgewing. I hierdie omgewings waarbinne die werknemer sy taak moet verrig is daar ' verskeidenheid faktore aanwesig wat sy prestasie en dus sy benutting kan bei'nvloed. Die teorie onderliggend aan menslikehulpbronbenutti ng is bestudeer en 'n ge·inte-greerde model vir menslikehulpbronbenutting is ontwikkel, waarop 'n empiriese studie gevolg het om die faktore te identifiseer wat menslikehulpbronbenutting in openbare biblioteke in Suid-Afrika kan be'invloed. Uit die empiriese ondersoek is vier faktore ge'identifiseer wat menslikehulpbron­ benutting in die openbare biblioteek kan be'invloed naamlik: • die algemene houding van die werknemer teenoor sy taak en die openbare biblioteekberoep • opleiding en ontwikkeling van werknemers • inligtingtegnologie • loopbaanbestuur Slegs die eerste faktor in die ondersoek het positief na vore getree, terwyl die ander drie negatief gepresteer het. Ten einde openbare biblioteekbestuur in staat te stel om hierdie leemtes, wat deur middel van hierdie faktore ge'identifiseer word reg te stel word 'n geintegreerde menslikehulpbronbenuttingsmodel voorgestel. Hierdie model bestaan uit verskillende komponente wat volgens behoefte van die biblioteek ge'implementeer kan word. / It is absolutely essential, for any public library that wishes to attain its objectives successfully, to manage human beings as its most important resource efficiently and to utilise them optimally.Since the change in the political dispensation in 1994, however, public libraries in South Africa experience mounting pressure to play a leading role in respect of education and the development of youth, to support adult education and engage positively in community development projects. A further responsibility of the public library is to supply information to the community to assist decision making and successful community development. To complicate matters, this shift in emphasis in the public library's objectives has to be managed and brought to fruition under the following conditions: a difficult financial climate, an extended corps of users with changing requirements, and technological challenges. To manage these challenges to the public library, it is essential that human resources be utilised as well as possible in accordance with their expertise and abilities. Employees find themselves in three environments, namely the job content environment, the job context environment and the external environment. A variety of factors which can influence the performance, and therefore the utilisation of employees are present in these environments in which they have to fulfiltheir task.The theory underlying the utilisation of human resources has been studied and an integrated model for human resource utilisation has been developed. This was followed by an empirical study to identify the factors which influence the utilisation of human resources in public libraries in South Africa. From the empirical investigation four factors were identified which can influence the utilisation of human resources in public libraries, namely: • the general attitude of the employee to the task and the profession of public librarianship • training and development of employees • information technology • career management Only the first factor emerged positively from the study, while the other three performed negatively. To enable public library management to remedy the deficiencies identified with the help of these factors, an integrated human resources utilisation model is proposed. This model consists of various components which can be implemented according to the needs of the specific library. / Informations Sciences / D.Litt. et Phil. (Inligtingkunde)