This dissertation reports on a study undertaken to determine interventions that community libraries can engage in to improve HIV/AIDS awareness. Chapter One describes the background for the study by providing information portraying the background, research problem, aim and objectives -as well as the research methodology to be followed to ensure its successful completion. Chapter Two examines the social role and responsibility of the community library - with reference to HIV/AIDS awareness. International and national sources are used to establish what role the community libraries should play in providing resources for communal benefit. Chapter Three deals with HIV/AIDS awareness interventions currently engaged in by community libraries as well as proposed interventions. A list and description of intervention types is included. This list forms the foundation for the interview guide. Chapter Four describes the interview process. Chapter Five reports on the results of the interviews. Chapter Six provides an integrated summary of the findings from the literature review and those from the interviews in the Bojanala region. Chapter Seven concludes with a summary of recommendations and suggestions for possible further research. Essentially, the study consists of an examination of the social role and responsibility of the community library regarding HIV/AIDS awareness. An international and national literature review of the types of interventions that community libraries can embark upon to promote HIV/AIDS awareness amongst community members of all age groups. An investigation - by means of interviews with librarians/library workers in the Bojanala region - on what interventions are currently undertaken to promote HIV/AIDS awareness among the community of the Bojanala region. Recommendations regarding the types of interventions that community libraries in South Africa may provide to assist in enhancing HIV/AIDS awareness. The literature review identified the social role and responsibility of the community library; interventions currently engaged in by community libraries; and pointed the way for proposed HIV/AIDS awareness interventions that community libraries could embark on as part of their social responsibility role. It was clear from the national and international literature review that the community library - with its years of experience in information acquisition, organisation, dissemination and use - is a natural ally in supporting HIV/AIDS awareness. The aim of this investigation was to determine the social role and responsibility of community libraries in the promotion of HIV/AIDS awareness. The interventions that community library services could embark on to promote HIV/AIDS awareness. The researcher investigated the interventions that the Bojanala region could embark on to comply with the vision of the Department of Social Development (2002:9) ”that both the government and civil society as a whole develop well directed and purposeful programmes to tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic.” This was done through face-to-face interviews with librarians/library workers responsible for managing community projects. Compared with the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in other regions and provinces (Northern Cape and Limpopo) with similar populations, the Bojanala region was identified as a region with a high HIV prevalence rate. The recommendations made by the researcher covered nine sections pertaining to HIV/AIDS interventions, namely: Users Policies HIV/AIDS information resources Collection Development Partnerships HIV/AIDS awareness programmes Interventions Promotion Staff training The recommendations that emerge from the research could be implemented in any community library in any given country with a high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. / Information Science / (M. Tech. (Business Administration))

This dissertation reports on a study undertaken to determine interventions that community libraries can engage in to improve HIV/AIDS awareness. Chapter One describes the background for the study by providing information portraying the background, research problem, aim and objectives -as well as the research methodology to be followed to ensure its successful completion. Chapter Two examines the social role and responsibility of the community library - with reference to HIV/AIDS awareness. International and national sources are used to establish what role the community libraries should play in providing resources for communal benefit. Chapter Three deals with HIV/AIDS awareness interventions currently engaged in by community libraries as well as proposed interventions. A list and description of intervention types is included. This list forms the foundation for the interview guide. Chapter Four describes the interview process. Chapter Five reports on the results of the interviews. Chapter Six provides an integrated summary of the findings from the literature review and those from the interviews in the Bojanala region. Chapter Seven concludes with a summary of recommendations and suggestions for possible further research. Essentially, the study consists of an examination of the social role and responsibility of the community library regarding HIV/AIDS awareness. An international and national literature review of the types of interventions that community libraries can embark upon to promote HIV/AIDS awareness amongst community members of all age groups. An investigation - by means of interviews with librarians/library workers in the Bojanala region - on what interventions are currently undertaken to promote HIV/AIDS awareness among the community of the Bojanala region. Recommendations regarding the types of interventions that community libraries in South Africa may provide to assist in enhancing HIV/AIDS awareness. The literature review identified the social role and responsibility of the community library; interventions currently engaged in by community libraries; and pointed the way for proposed HIV/AIDS awareness interventions that community libraries could embark on as part of their social responsibility role. It was clear from the national and international literature review that the community library - with its years of experience in information acquisition, organisation, dissemination and use - is a natural ally in supporting HIV/AIDS awareness. The aim of this investigation was to determine the social role and responsibility of community libraries in the promotion of HIV/AIDS awareness. The interventions that community library services could embark on to promote HIV/AIDS awareness. The researcher investigated the interventions that the Bojanala region could embark on to comply with the vision of the Department of Social Development (2002:9) ”that both the government and civil society as a whole develop well directed and purposeful programmes to tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic.” This was done through face-to-face interviews with librarians/library workers responsible for managing community projects. Compared with the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in other regions and provinces (Northern Cape and Limpopo) with similar populations, the Bojanala region was identified as a region with a high HIV prevalence rate. The recommendations made by the researcher covered nine sections pertaining to HIV/AIDS interventions, namely: Users Policies HIV/AIDS information resources Collection Development Partnerships HIV/AIDS awareness programmes Interventions Promotion Staff training The recommendations that emerge from the research could be implemented in any community library in any given country with a high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. / Information Science / (M. Tech. (Business Administration))

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)

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)

Bibliography: leaves 97-104 / In this dissertation I examine the public's use of two community libraries in the Moretele local municipality. My research focused on who uses the libraries, for what purpose the libraries are being used, and patrons’ perceptions of the libraries. Data was collected using three methods namely interviews, observations in the form of seating sweeps and written patron surveys. The data collected show that the libraries play an important role in the information and social needs of the communities. They are highly valued for the resources they provide such as study space, books and photocopiers. The libraries are also greatly utilised by local communities, especially UNISA students, and function as public and third places. As public spaces they offer the community a space to meet, work together and discuss issues that are of importance to the community. As third places, the libraries offer ideal places for people, especially the youth, to play and socialise. I conclude that the libraries are irreplaceable spaces for the community and, therefore, not easily replicated elsewhere. / Kule-dissertation, ngihlola ukusetshenziswa ngumphakathi kwamalayibrari amabili omphakathi kuMasipala wendawo yaseMoretele. Ucwaningo lwami lugxila ekuthengi ngobani abasebenzisa amalayibrari, nokuthi bawasebenzisela ziphi izinhloso lamalayibrari, kanye nemibono yabantu abasebenzisa lamalayibrari. Ulwazi luqokelelwe ngezindlela ezintathu, okuyilezi, ama-interview, ukuqapha okwenzekayo ngendlela yokubheka ukuthi abantu bayisebenzisa kanjani indawo kanye nokwenza ama-survey abhaliwe kubasebenzisi belayibrari. Ulwazi oluqokelelwe lukhombise ukuthi amalayibrari adlala indima ebalulekile ngolwazi, kanye nezidingo zabantu emphakathini. Athathwa njengomthombo obaluleke kakhulu ngoba asiza ngendawo yokutadisha, izincwadi kanye nokwenza ama-photocopy. Amalayibrari abuye asetshenziswe yimiphakathi yendawo, ikakhulukazi izitshudeni zase-Unisa, kanti futhi abuye abe yindawo lapho lapho umphakathi ohlangana khona kanye nokuba yindawo yesithathu kwabanye abantu. Njengendawo yokuhlangana kwabantu, ahlinzeka ngendawo yemihlangano yomphakathi, ukusebenzisana kanye nokuxoxa ngezinto ezibalulekile emphakathini. Indawo yesithathu, amalayibrari asiza ngendawo enhle kubantu, ikakhulukazi intsha, ukudlala kanye nokuzihlanganyela nje khona ukubonana nokuxoxa. Ngiphetha ngokuthi amalayibrari yindawo isikhundla sawo engeke yathathwa ngokunye emphakathini, ngakho-ke, akuwona izinto indawo yawo engathathwa ngokunye noma ukwenziwa kwenye indawo. / Mo thutopatlisisong eno, ke sekaseka tiriso ya dilaeborari tse pedi tsa baagi ba setšhaba mo Lekgotlatoropong la Selegae la Moretele. Patlisiso ya me e ne e totile gore ke bomang ba ba dirisang dilaeborari, gore dilaeborari di dirisediwa mabaka afe, le megopolo ya badirisi malebana le dilaeborari. Go kokoantswe data go dirisiwa mekgwa e le meraro, e leng dipotsolotso, kelotlhoko ka go ela tlhoko go nna ga badirisi le ditshekatsheko tse di kwadilweng tsa badirisi. Data e e kokoantsweng e bontshitse gore dilaeborari di na le seabe sa botlhokwa malebana le ditlhokwa tsa tshedimosetso le loago tsa baagi. Di tsewa di le mosola tota ka ntlha ya ditlamelo tse di di tlamelang ka tsona di tshwana le sebaka sa go ithuta, dibuka le metšhini e e dirang dikhopi. Dilaeborari di dirisiwa thata ke baagi ba selegae, bogolo segolo baithuti ba Unisa, mme di dira jaaka mafelo a botlhe le a boraro. Jaaka mafelo a botlhe, di tlamela baagi ka sebaka sa go kopana, go dira mmogo le go buisana ka dintlha tse di botlhokwa mo baaging. Jaaka mafelo a boraro, dilaeborari di tlamela ka mafelo a a maleba gore batho, bogolo segolo bašwa, ba tshameke le go golagana. Ke konosetsa ka gore dilaeborari ke mafelo a a ka se emelweng ke sepe a baagi mme, ka jalo, ga go kgonege go dira ape a a tshwanang nao gope gape. / Anthropology and Archaeology / M.A. (Anthropology)