Rural Information Provision in Zambia: problems and prospects

Abstract

Discusses the information needs of rural communities and the problems of providing information service to illiterates, with special reference to Zambia. Briefly outlines the information services provided to rural areas in Zambia by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAFF), the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare (MCDSW) and the Zambia Library Service (ZLS) of the Ministry of Education. Analyses the problems of each service and concludes that the community welfare centres of the MCDSW provide a better basis for community information service than the libraries of the ZLS. Emphasizes the need for better coordination of existing efforts in rural information provision in Zambia.

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