Public libraries, globally, are adopting the use of information and communication
technologies (ICTs) in order to improve services to the users. ICTs in public libraries are
enhancing services to the users by ensuring that services are available to them quickly and
efficiently. ICTs in public libraries include computers and their Internet-based facilities,
printers, photocopiers, laminators, faxes, telephones, televisions, compact discs, (CDs) and
digital video discs (DVDs).
This study focussed on the utilisation of ICTs in public libraries at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan
Municipality (EMM). The general aim of the study was to assess the utilisation of ICTs at
EMM public libraries by the users. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches
through a survey research method were deployed. The study targeted all public libraries at
Ekurhuleni and within the libraries; library users and control librarians (librarians in charge
of libraries at Ekurhuleni) were targeted. Control librarians participated in the study as key
informants. The researcher needed to find out if they would corroborate what users said.
There is a total of 43 public libraries at Ekurhuleni and eight were included in this study.
These eight libraries were selected through stratified sampling. Out of 24033 registered users
at Ekurhuleni libraries, 332 were randomly selected to take part in the study. All eight control
librarians of participating libraries were included in the study. The total response rate for the
targeted library users was 51% (170).
The findings of this study indicate that although ICTs in EMM libraries are highly utilised,
staff attitudes, cost of ICTs services, users’ lack of ICTs knowledge and skills, slowness of
ICTs and power failure, make it difficult for users to maximise the full benefits offered by
ICTs. The study recommended that the cost of ICTs services be reduced, customer care
workshops and ICTs training be prioritised for staff, structured ICTs training programmes be
developed for library users, users’ access time to Internet be extended, subscription to online
databases be prioritised, Internet bandwidth be increased, uninterrupted power supply be
installed in libraries and that positions be created for librarians specialising on ICTs. / Information Science / MA (Information Science)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/13355 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Mamafha, Takalani Matamba Maurice |
| Contributors | Ngulube, Patrick Prof. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (xiii, 152 leaves) |
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