Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a degree of Masters of Arts in Library and Information Science from the Department of Information Studies at the University of Zululand, 1997. / Since the establishment of the first libraries paradigm shifts occured, especially during times of political, social and cultural upheavals and change. It was the public library, more than any other library system, which had to continually adapt its services as its clientele changed from the privileged few who could read and write, to the masses who looked upon the library as an instrument for mass education. Although the Western public library service did not fulfil a formal educational role, it aimed to support informal and life¬long education . On the African continent public libraries were perceived as tools for mass education for a population thirsting for knowledge. Whereas in developed countries public libraries could still function by providing a relatively passive, buildings-based service, this was not possible in developing countries. What was needed to be relevant to the needs of the public, was a pro-active service, based on each specific community's needs. The ills of the public library system transplanted to Africa prevented such pro¬active and innovative services, thus leaving in its wake a disillusioned public as well as governments. Alternative approaches to rendering the services needed have been attempted, but with little sustained effort and success. At face value the South African public library system has seemed to be a well-organised and well-developed service. Unfortunately the country's political past hampered the provision of equal services to all race groups. This resulted in a service based on the needs of just one race group, excluding the majority of the population from gaining equal access to information. This situation is currently under revision, and serious efforts are being made to rectify the situation. As is the case with the rest of Africa, it would seem that far reaching adaptations to the existing service structure need to be made to enable the whole society to benefit from the services provided by libraries. Some pro-active and innovative library professionals have already started implementing alternative services to communities previously excluded from using library services provided for developed communities. These vanguard services, known as community libraries and resource centres have found innovative ways and means of serving their respective communities. The characteristics of community libraries were analysed in order to determine the functioning of this innovative system. The Pinetown community libraries aim to bring an information service to their disadvantaged communities. The research has shown that these community libraries are providing a service which has moved a considerable distance along the road of becoming a pro-active community service. Although there are still many shortcomings, the process of transformation is well under way.

Thesis (M.Arch.(Prof)) -- University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Chicago. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 180-183).

Social capital is the processes between people which establish relationships and social trust facilitating mutual cooperation and collaboration. It is the social fabric or glue that holds a community together. Since the mid 1990s, the concept of social capital has emerged as a key strategic driver underpinning many areas of government and public policy. This trend parallels concerns expressed by politicians, policy makers, academics and social theorists that levels of civic engagement are diminishing and communities are breaking down due to social disconnection, loss of trust and low levels of resilience. Emphasising the capacity of communities to build social capital, therefore, is envisaged as the way towards a social policy climate that prioritises community building and values of social cohesion and social inclusion. / Recent studies suggest that public libraries, in particular, with their commitment to social, equity and inclusiveness, have a crucial role in building communities and connecting people. By providing communities with a free and safe public place, libraries are in a unique position to facilitate the building of trust and relationships within their communities, thereby increasing social capital. However, the reality is that the broader social and community role of the public library is often neglected within general social capital debates, as well as within the library sector. / Against this background, this thesis sets out to articulate and demonstrate the role of public libraries in developing social capital. The contribution of public libraries to building social capital is illustrated through the undertaking and reporting of a social capital audit study of one public library. Through its demonstration of a social capital audit in practice, this thesis offers frameworks and guidelines to other libraries interested in conducting similar research. It therefore opens the way for others to build upon, and refine, the social capital audit tool as a means to measure and evaluate social capital performance in public libraries. / Thesis (MArts(InformationStudies))--University of South Australia, 2004.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 1990. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-130).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Chicago. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 180-183).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2008. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on June 2, 2009). Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 1990. / Title from title page screen, viewed November 17, 2005. Dissertation Committee: John R. McCarthy (chair), Patricia Klass, Larry Kennedy, JoAnn McCarthy, Glenn Gritzmacher. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-130) and abstract. Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-130).